SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the NYS Military Museum are teaming up for a special networking event at the New York State Military Museum.

The Mixer at the Museum is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25 at the New York State Military Museum, located at 61 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs, and is open to all who support the military and veterans.

Admission is free for Veterans and Active-Duty Military personnel and pay what you wish for others with a $10 suggested donation to support the mission of the Veterans Business Council to foster business connections and career opportunities within the local veteran community. Proceeds from the event’s cash bar will benefit the Friends of the NYS Military Museum, an organization that helps to support the care, preservation, and interpretation of the Military History Collection of the State of New York.

The event offers a unique opportunity to explore world-class military memorabilia while connecting with fellow veterans, active military members, and supporters. Attendees will have access to the museum’s collection while enjoying refreshments and connecting with like-minded individuals who share a commitment to supporting the veterans and military community.

Advance registration is requested. Registration is available at tinyurl.com/vbcmixer2025.

BALLSTON SPA — The New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech (CoE) has opened a new satellite office in Saratoga County. The expansion brings Cornell’s expertise in food science, business development, and product innovation closer to food, beverage, and agriculture entrepreneurs and businesses across the Capital Region and beyond.

The new office, a collaboration between the CoE and Cornell Food Venture Center, offers:

• Business mentoring and connections to Cornell research and resources.

• Food safety testing and product development guidance in an on-site lab.

• Support for startups and established businesses to grow and succeed in New York state.

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner secured $500,000 in state funding to help make the office possible. The office is located within the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County at 50 W. High St. in Ballston Spa.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga-based Death Wish Coffee Co. has appointed a new CEO: Steve Gardiner. The company announced the hire last week.

Gardiner’s past experience includes stints as CEO of Nature’s Bakery, a healthy snacking brand, and various senior-level positions with PepsiCo. 

“As an avid coffee drinker, I’ve been aware of this brand for a while and am excited to help bring this bold, smooth, and delicious coffee to even more households,” Gardiner wrote in a LinkedIn post. “Death Wish Coffee is already the #1 Organic and #1 Fair Trade Certified coffee brand in the country — and whether you’re looking for bagged coffee, pods, or ready-to-drink, we have the fuel you need to kickstart your day. Thanks to the Death Wish Coffee team for the warm welcome.”

Death Wish was founded by Mike Brown in 2012 and is headquartered at 260 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. The brand’s products are available in grocery stores across the country and online via Amazon.

BALLSTON SPA — The diner formerly known as Route 50 has officially opened under new ownership with a new name: Doubleday.

The business revamped its interior and exterior ahead of a Sept. 6 grand opening. The menu includes plenty of diner staples, such as omelets, pancakes, waffles, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and wraps. The restaurant is open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Doubleday gets its name from its address (2002 Doubleday Ave. in Ballston Spa), which in turn is named after Abner Doubleday, a Union major general in the Civil War whose purported birthplace in Ballston Spa still stands and is now the home of the Real McCoy Beer Co.

The restaurant formerly known as the Route 50 Diner faced a number of issues under its previous owners, including a temporary closure following a health inspection on May 30, 2024 that revealed an apparent, ongoing pest control issue. The diner was also temporarily closed in 2023 by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance due to alleged unpaid taxes.

BALLSTON SPA — New businesses, especially ones that require renovations of existing structures, tend to have their planned openings delayed more often than not. But the folks at Speckled Pig Brewing in Ballston Spa have bucked the trend with plans to have their new, next-door distillery serving drinks in time for a Sept. 20 Oktoberfest block party.

The occasion marks the three-year anniversary of the popular downtown brewery. Among the many activities during Oktoberfest will be free commemorative mugs for the first 150 attendees, a stein-holding competition, a dunk tank, live music, tea cup pigs, yard games, Bavarian pretzels, and pizza specials.

The new distillery, called The Still at Speckled Pig, is housed in the former home of Jim’s Garage. It will feature a modern design, outdoor patio with fire pits, and an interior glass wall revealing liquor-makers and bottlers at work. Oktoberfest revelers are invited to stop by for some craft cocktails and a sneak peek of the distillery.

MALTA — On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Allerdice Building Supply donated $5,585 to Kelly’s Angels, a local nonprofit supporting children who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer or illness. This was the second consecutive year of support, bringing Allerdice’s total donations to Kelly’s Angels to $10,560.

A check presentation took place at Allerdice Ace Hardware at 2570 Route 9 in Malta. Kelly’s Angels Founder Mark Mulholland, along with representatives from Allerdice Building Supply, attended the event.