Skip to main content

Saratoga-Based Floral Design Company Expands to Stuyvesant Plaza

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Artistic rendering of the forthcoming Samantha Ness Floral Design location at Stuyvesant Plaza
via the company. 

GUILDERLAND — Stuyvesant Plaza announced this week that Saratoga Springs-based, female-owned Samantha Nass Floral Design will soon open a new location at the shopping center in Guilderland.

The company joins three other Saratoga businesses (Union Hall Supply Co., Lola Saratoga, and Uncommon Grounds) that have expanded below the twin bridges.

Founded in 2014, Samantha Nass Floral Design is known for its nature-inspired floral work and its full-service approach to events, everyday flowers, and curated home goods. The Stuyvesant Plaza location will offer a curated selection of fresh florals, seasonal arrangements, and specialty items.

“This isn’t a shift in direction, it’s a natural next step,” said Samantha Nass in a press release. “A chance to grow, connect, and create in a new space while honoring the people and places that have supported us from the very beginning.”

The new location is expected to open sometime in August.

Renamed Route 50 Diner to Reopen

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.


Photo via the Doubleday Diner. 

BALLSTON SPA — A restored and renamed Route 50 Diner is set to reopen under new ownership as the Doubleday Diner.

The business shared several videos on its Facebook page recently, showing off its revamped interior and exterior look. Signage on the front door indicated that the eatery will be open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.

“Doubleday Diner is working hard to reopen as soon as possible,” the company said in one post. “Our goal is to create a space where the community can come together and enjoy unforgettable moments around good food.”

Prior to closing permanently, the Route 50 Diner faced a number of issues, 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 Barber Club Opens Second Locationin Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Image via the 518 Barber Club.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Ballston Spa Barber Club, which celebrated its grand opening less than a year ago at the Carousel Village Plaza on Doubleday Avenue, has already expanded to a second location at 48 Henry Street in the Spa City.

The Saratoga Barber Club opened its doors on Tuesday morning, prompting the barbershop owners to rebrand their entire operation as the 518 Barber Club.

“Our barbers have almost 10 years of experience, and we welcome everyone of all ages for your barbering needs,” the company said on its new website.

The shops offer a range of services, including haircuts, beard trims, head and/or face shaves, hot towel shaves, and specialty cuts. Walk-ins are welcome and customers can also book online. For more information, visit 518barberclub.com.

Water Damage Sends Northshire Events to Public Library

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After a water leak in an upstairs apartment on July 4th caused significant water damage to the Northshire Bookstore on Broadway, the business has temporarily closed and moved all of its remaining July events to the Saratoga Springs Public Library. 

In a statement, Northshire said that news of the flood generated “an overwhelmingly generous community response, with numerous individuals, businesses, and organizations reaching out to the Northshire staff to ask how they could help.”

“As a longtime partner in promoting books and reading, we’re happy to be able to provide our friends at Northshire a venue for co-hosting several of their upcoming author visits in their hour of need,” said library director Ike Pulver.

Schedule of Northshire events at the library:

  • Thursday July 17 at 6 p.m.: Clémence Michallon – Our Last Resort – in conversation with Rachel Person
  • Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m.: Saratoga: America’s Turning Point 250th Commission and Anne Clothier – Overhearing History
  • Wednesday July 23 at 6 p.m.: Jacqueline Boulden – Lies Lost and Found
  • Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m.: Representative Chris Gibson – The Spirit of Philadelphia: A Call to Recover the Founding Principles – in conversation with Ray O’Conor

Bass Pro Shops to Open in Grand Fashion on July 30

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Rendering of the completed Bass Pro Shops in Clifton Park provided.

CLIFTON PARK — A massive new Bass Pro Shops, located alongside Interstate 87 in Clifton Park, has scheduled its grand opening for July 30. 

The ceremony, which begins at 5 p.m. and is open to the public, will include a special “Evening for Conservation” that will feature big names in the outdoor industry, such as Roland Martin (winner of 19 Bassmaster tournaments and nine B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year awards), Jimmy Houston (a fixture on ESPN’s national fishing coverage), Kevin VanDam (the all-time winningest angler in the history of professional bass fishing), and Chris Johnston (the reigning Bassmaster Angler of the Year), among others. 

The festivities will also include a performance by country music singer/songwriter Blaine Holcomb. Following the grand opening ceremony, the celebrity guests will be available for meet and greets and autographs until 8 p.m.

The new 70,000 square foot retail location on Clifton Park Center Road will be the fourth Bass Pro Shops location in New York State. The chain brands itself as the nation’s leading outdoor retailer, built on a passion for fishing.

Saratoga Restaurateurs Nominated for America’s Favorite Couple

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Zac Denham and Clark Gale, co-owners of Bocage Champagne Bar and the forthcoming Standard Fare, are in the running to be named “America’s Favorite Couple.”

The duo is participating in a contest organized by Variety magazine, a popular Hollywood trade publication. As part of the contest, Denham and Gale are raising money for Oceana, a nonprofit focused on ocean conservation.

As of press time, the couple was ranked first in their group, with the initial round of voting set to close on July 10 at 10 p.m. ET. The contest winners will receive $20,000 and an advertorial in Variety.

Denham and Gale once partnered with actor Ted Danson for an Oceana fundraiser in New York City that drew 200 guests, including celebrities like Rumer Willis and David and Susan Rockefeller. The event raised $1.5 million.

The couple’s latest venture, Standard Fare, is expected to open on Phila Street sometime in late July or early August.

Silks & Satins 5K to Benefit Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs runners, walkers, and community members are invited to join the Jeff Clark Memorial Silks & Satins 5K on Saturday, July 12 at 8 a.m. at Fasig-Tipton (153 George Street).

The event, produced by FC4 Events and Fleet Feet, offers a fast, flat course near horse racing facilities in Saratoga’s East Side neighborhood.

The event is in support of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, a nonprofit providing equine-assisted programs to veterans, families, children, and others facing mental health challenges.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA), which is a community partner in this year’s race, is offering registered runners complimentary general admission tickets, redeemable on any day of the 2025 summer meet at the Saratoga Race Course (excluding Whitney Day on Aug. 2 and Travers Day on Aug. 23).

Runners and walkers are encouraged to register as part of the THS Team. Volunteers, including friends and family, are also needed to help staff the race. Those interested can sign up at https://calendly.com/kim-ths/ths-volunteers-silks-and-satins?month=2025-07.

Saratoga PLAN Adds Three Board Members

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photos of Jennifer Allen, Bethany Khan, and Adam Hostetter provided by Saratoga PLAN.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga PLAN, a nonprofit land trust responsible for preserving Snake Hill on Saratoga Lake (among many other projects), has added three new board members: Jennifer Allen, Bethany Khan, and Adam Hostetter.

Allen has experience in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, specializing in development, marketing, and human resources. As executive director of the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library, she expanded membership and funding through community engagement strategies.

Khan brings experience in sustainable development, public policy, and real estate to Saratoga PLAN’s board. As former policy advisor for the City of New York, she focused on economic development and building energy policy to improve local air quality, and to support major economic development initiatives.

Hostetter is a technology executive known for translating complex technical concepts into practical business applications. As the CEO of FUSE Next, he leads a knowledge aggregation content discovery platform serving major organizations like the National Academy of Sciences and the National Recreation and Park Association.

PJ’s BAR-B-QSA Announces Closure, Pending Sale 

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business, Featured.


An image posted to PJ’s BAR-B-QSA’s website announcing the restaurant’s closure.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — PJ’s BAR-B-QSA, a barbecue restaurant that had been in business for 42 years, officially closed its doors for good last weekend after being shuttered since late October.

In a statement posted to its website, the company said it had a pending sale on the property at 1 Kaydeross Ave W that is scheduled to close in mid-September.

The company also said it would retain ownership of its original recipes, trademarks, logos, and theme in the hope that someone might be interested in licensing them.

“Our journey began over five decades ago with a small catering business working out of our garage, and thanks to all of you, it evolved into a beloved local institution,” owners PJ and Carolyn Davis said in their statement. “From the very beginning, this has been a family effort, and we’re deeply proud of what we’ve built together.”

PJ and Carolyn thanked their son, daughter, the City of Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, and the local community at large for their support over the years. 

PJ’s BAR-B-QSA had been a seasonal restaurant from 1984 until 2011, before staying open year-round in 2012. Its decision to close for the winter in October 2024 led to speculation that the business might stay closed for good.

The eatery hosted a variety of events over the years, including Classic Car Nights, Bike Nights, and charity events. It was also an official Buffalo Bills Backers location, serving as a gathering place for Bills fans to watch games.

Herbie’s Burgers Arrives in Saratoga Springs

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.


Photo via Herbie’s Burgers.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Herbie’s Burgers, a growing smash burger chain that originated in Albany in 2021, has opened its newest outpost at the Ice House at 70 Putnam Street in downtown Saratoga Springs.

The company has seven other locations, including three in Albany, one in Clifton Park, and one in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Herbie’s burgers are made from grass-fed/grass-finished beef and its shoe-string fries are made from 100% Idaho potatoes.

Menu offerings at the Ice House location include both beef and vegan burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches and tenders, and milkshakes.