An assortment of Bear’s Cup bagels. Photo via the bakery.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bear’s Cup Bakehouse—an artisanal bakery and coffee shop known for its New York-style bagels, fresh-baked bread, and pastries—may soon be opening a new location on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs.
According to the Albany Business Review, Bear’s Cup would take over 543 Broadway, the former home of Jacobsen Oriental Rugs, which relocated to 145 Ballston Ave.
The bakery is based out of Bolton Landing, a hamlet that borders Lake George and is across from the Sagamore Resort. The company’s bagels were once featured on the “Rachel Ray Show.”
In a video posted to their Instagram account, Bear’s Cup indicated that their Saratoga location could open as soon as this fall.
MALTA — The former home of Dunning Street Station in Malta is set to become a new eatery named Harvest Grain Pizza, according to a banner hung outside the location on Route 9.
Dunning Street permanently closed in June after a series of temporary closures. It was sold shortly thereafter.
Harvest Grain Pizza currently has a location open in Clifton Park, where a variety of pies are offered, including whole wheat, square pan, Sicilian deep dish, gluten free, a white “Saratoga” pizza, Hawaiian, veggie lovers, and many more.
Saboor Sekandari of Harvest Grain told Saratoga TODAY that an opening date for the new Malta outpost has not yet been confirmed, but the pizzeria could open sometime between mid-September and early October.
The diner on Route 9 has a long history of prior owners stretching back to the early 1950s, when it first opened as the Malta Ridge Diner. In the 1970s, it was a filming location for “My Old Man,” a made-for-TV drama about a horse trainer that was based on a short story by Ernest Hemingway.
The Fodero Dining Car Company manufactured many of the stainless steel, art deco-inspired diners scattered throughout the country, including the famous Empire Diner on 10th Avenue in Manhattan.
The GlobalFoundries campus and company headquarters in Malta. Image provided.
MALTA — Cirrus Logic, a leading provider of high-performance audio and mixed-signal semiconductor solutions, announced Tuesday the expansion of its long-standing relationship with GlobalFoundries, one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers headquartered in Malta.
Together, the companies are advancing the development and commercialization of next-generation BCD (Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) process technology, which allows different functions to be combined on a single chip, making devices more power efficient and compact.
This technology will be capable of being manufactured at GlobalFoundries’ facility in Malta, adding a U.S.-based option to complement existing manufacturing in Singapore and Germany.
“GlobalFoundries is proud to expand our partnership with Cirrus Logic, a company that shares our commitment to driving semiconductor innovation and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities that are vital to national competitiveness and economic resilience,” said Tim Breen, CEO of GlobalFoundries. “Together, we’re enabling the next generation of essential chip technologies that will power tomorrow’s devices and systems. This collaboration underscores the importance of resilient, geographically diverse supply chains for our industry.”
Photo via the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — NLH Property Management Services recently celebrated the opening of its new office on Route 29 during a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
The company offers “a comprehensive range of commercial and home property maintenance, remodel, and concierge services” across the Capital Region.
“Our ribbon-cutting wasn’t just about a new space, it was a celebration of the people and community that made it possible,” NLH said in a Facebook announcement. “We’re so grateful for your support and can’t wait for what’s ahead.”
NLH’s team provides a wide range of maintenance services, including HVAC systems, electrical repairs, plumbing maintenance, and general facility upkeep.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bring out ‘yer gigantic gourds because the Saratoga County Chamber Of Commerce, the Saratoga Springs City Center, and the Saratoga Farmers Market will host the 10th annual Saratoga Giant PumpkinFest Weigh-Off on Sept. 27.
Giant pumpkin growers from across the northeast will again compete to grow the biggest pumpkin of the year. The free, family-friendly event will take place at 11-77 High Rock Avenue in the parking garage near Mouzon House. Entertainment offerings include live music performed by Mandolins Too, photo and petting opportunities with Upset the Mini Dark Horse, and treats from Stewart’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Neighborhood Kitchen, Kings Dairy, Thorn + Roots and more.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Senior Center will host its 70th anniversary luncheon, “An Afternoon with Jim Nantz,” on Thursday, Aug. 21 at the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion in Saratoga Springs. The event will feature a chat between Nantz and his CBS colleague and golf icon Dottie Pepper, who is a Saratoga native and member of the Blue Streak Hall of Fame.
The celebration honors Nantz as the center’s Man of the Year for his work in Alzheimer’s advocacy. Proceeds from the event will benefit the center’s mission to enhance the quality of life for local seniors through health, wellness, and enrichment programs.
Event Details:
• Date: Thursday, Aug. 21
• Time: 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Location: Fasig-Tipton Pavilion
• Includes: buffet lunch, The Calling Wines (co-founded by Nantz), valet parking, and the fireside chat
• Tickets: Available now at saratogaseniorcenter.org
SARATOGA SPRINGS — About a month after it was announced that Herbie’s Burgers was opening its first Spa City location at the Ice House, news has arrived that a second outpost will launch at the forthcoming Pint Sized by Dive bar at 33 Phila Street.
“The rumors are true,” said Pint Sized in an Instagram post. “Our friends at Herbie’s Burgers are joining us at our new Saratoga Springs location at 33 Phila Street! We get to work on October 1st. Aiming for a speedy buildout with a late fall opening ahead of the busy Spa City holiday season.”
Herbie’s is a growing smash burger chain that was founded in Albany in 2021. The company has seven locations outside of Saratoga, including three in Albany, one in Clifton Park, and one in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Pint Sized by Dive is in the process of moving its business from 489 Broadway to 33 Phila. It will continue operating at its current location until the end of this year.
Photo of Old World Gourmet Market by Jonathon Norcross.
WILTON — Old World Gourmet Market celebrated its grand opening on June 11, only to temporarily close its doors a few days later due to what the business called “technical issues with various service providers.” It reopened on June 24. But now, less than two months later, it’s closing its doors once again, this time due to alleged staffing issues. It’s scheduled to reopen on Sept. 10.
The closure announcement coincided with comments in a local Facebook group alleging mismanagement and problems with payments.
“Employees were only given notice day of and are now left without a job for at least 3 weeks,” wrote one anonymous poster. “We are told that it is for ‘maintenance’ and aren’t given any form of idea when employees are to return to work. I will not be returning for the reopen and neither will many of my coworkers.”
“They also have been paying all of their employees under the table and taking 25% out of everyone’s paychecks as ‘taxes,’” the anonymous poster continued. “We don’t receive paystubs saying what taxes are paid. And not to mention they have told everyone for months that we would be getting direct deposit soon and it never happened from June to August.”
According to the Times Union, three employees said they were paid with envelopes of cash. One of the market’s owners, John Biagini, confirmed that employees were indeed paid in cash but that handwritten deductions were itemized on the envelopes. He also told the Times Union that these employees were “disgruntled” and were “cowards, posting lies online instead of coming to me with their problems.”
On June 11, when the market first opened, customers exiting the store cited a variety of issues with the launch, including employees being unaware of how much certain items cost. At the time, this was explained away as being typical growing pains for a new business. But problems at Old World Gourmet have persisted.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Noah’s, an Italian chophouse set to open sometime next month, announced this week that Danny Petrosino of Osteria Danny fame will be creating all its pasta and gelato.
Petrosino sold Danny’s in May after owning the restaurant for nine years.
Noah’s is spearheaded by Noah Frese, the executive chef at Siro’s. It’s located at 43 Phila Street, and is one of several news restaurants joining the Phila block party. Familiar Creature, a Montreal-inspired wine bar, is currently open at 42 Phila. Standard Fare, the latest venture from the duo behind Bocage Champagne Bar, opens Aug. 15. Fillies on Phila, a casual wood-fired pizza restaurant, also recently opened at 39-41 Phila.
Photo of Albany International Airport’s Concourse A interior provided by the airport.
ALBANY — The Albany International Airport (ALB) recently announced that it has completed Phase 1 of its Concourse A Rehabilitation Project, marking a milestone in the most substantial overhaul to the concourse since it opened in 1979.
The focal point of this first phase is the addition of two new jet bridge-equipped gates, A1 and A2, located on the upper level alongside existing gates A3 through A6. Previously, gates A1 and A2 functioned as ground-level boarding areas, accessible only by walking outside, and were rarely used. These second-floor gates replace that outdated infrastructure with a modern, weather-protected boarding experience.
“Albany International is the front door to our region, and this project shows we’re serious about making a great first impression,” said Sam Fresina, chair of the Albany County Airport Authority Board in a news release. “We’re not just updating a concourse, we’re investing in infrastructure that supports jobs, attracts new routes, and keeps this airport competitive for years to come.”
“Albany International is the oldest municipal airport in the nation, and has come a long way since it was built on this site nearly 100 years ago. We knew it needed to be modernized as it continues to grow,” said Daniel P. McCoy, Albany County executive.
The first flights to use the newly constructed gates departed on July 28, with Allegiant Air operating from Gate A1 and United Airlines scheduled to depart from Gate A2 later in the week. These inaugural departures mark the official opening of the upgraded portion of Concourse A for passenger service.
Additional upgrades in Phase 1 include:
• Polished terrazzo flooring and a modernized ceiling design
• All-new seating with integrated power outlets
• Dedicated space for a future concession vendor
• Upgraded lighting and energy-efficient infrastructure
The cost of construction for the full Concourse A Rehabilitation Project is $13.36 million. Of that, $10.6 million was provided through a federal grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding supports the full scope of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
The Concourse A project was made possible in part by a $10.6 million federal grant secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand were instrumental in delivering this funding to Albany.
Future phases will include renovations to gates A3 through A6, improved restrooms, upgraded mechanical systems, and additional passenger amenities, which are all designed to modernize the concourse, enhance the customer experience, and support ALB’s continued growth.
