MECHANICVILLE — Just Cats Veterinary Clinic, the Capital Region’s only feline-exclusive veterinary practice, has announced that its newest location in Mechanicville will open on Monday, Aug. 4.
The move represents a major expansion for the locally-owned clinic, offering triple the space and expanded services to better serve its growing clientele.
The new Mechanicville clinic will replace the smaller, existing Saratoga Springs location and will feature five exam rooms, dedicated surgical and dental suites, modern treatment areas, ample on-site parking, and improved accessibility at a major intersection.
Just Cats Veterinary Clinic remains independently owned and operated, a rarity in today’s veterinary industry. The practice is currently welcoming new clients and actively seeking an additional veterinarian to join the team.
Founded over 30 years ago by Dr. Susan Sikule, Just Cats provides full-service veterinary care, including surgery, dentistry, vaccinations, senior pet wellness, and advanced diagnostics—all in a cat-friendly environment.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Grasso’s Italian Ice is officially back in business this summer, despite the company’s signature 1954 International Harvester truck still undergoing repairs.
Grasso’s announced on Monday that it would partner with the folks at Olde Saratoga Miniature Golf and Rustic Pizza to sell Italian ice at their location at 556 Maple Ave in Saratoga Springs beginning Wednesday, July 2. “Old-school” flavors like lemon, cherry, root beer, and black raspberry will be available.
Last year, Grasso’s launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to fix its aging truck. The company said it didn’t quite raise enough and that repairs are still ongoing. The truck is expected to hit the streets next year.
“To everyone who donated to our GoFundMe: thank you from the bottom of my heart,” the company said on its Facebook page. “You helped keep this tradition alive.”
As previously reported by Saratoga TODAY, the Grasso family traces its Italian ice origins back to the 1920’s, when Ralph Grasso emigrated from his native Tufino, Italy and settled in Brooklyn with his brother, landing in Saratoga Springs a few years later. Grasso worked in the construction and masonry trades and began making lemon ice, which he sold on his off-days and weekends as a side business.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Pint Sized by Dive, a bar currently located at 489 Broadway, is moving to 33 Phila Street, the company’s owner August Rosa announced on Monday.
The new location is more than three-times larger than the current one, Rosa said, and it’ll offer more outdoor patio seating.
Pint Sized will continue operating at its current location until the end of this year.
“We are thrilled to be a part of the momentum on Phila,” Rosa said in a press release. “Truth be told, Pint Sized outgrew 489 Broadway in year one. The quirky location treated us well but wasn’t without many challenges along the way, be it multiple floods, difficulty to get tourists to cross Church Street, significant rent increases in the past few years, and lease instability.”
Rosa said that the new space on Phila will be more conducive to events, such as trivia nights, live music, and karaoke. Food offerings are also planned but details haven’t yet been announced.
Pint Sized’s location change means that Mittler’s, a corner market/restaurant/bar at 33 Phila, will be closing later this year.
Two airplanes inside the airport’s new 20,000-square-foot hangar. Photo by Aidan Cahill.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Airport unveiled its new terminal building and hangar during a ribbon cutting ceremony last Thursday, marking the completion of a $35.9 million construction project that began last year.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here on behalf of Governor Kathy Hochul as we celebrate this incredible milestone today,” said New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “It is truly, truly breathtaking,” Dominguez said of the terminal’s interior space.
Although the airport does not host commercial flights, the facility features spaces and amenities open to the public, including a conference room, outdoor patio, and upstairs restaurant that provides views of the runway.
“This space is for everyone to enjoy, especially people who live and work here in Saratoga,” Dominguez said.
To fund the project, the county was awarded $27 million by the state, with an additional $2 million coming via federal funds. The remaining balance of the $35.9 million budget (the price tag was initially quoted at $35.2 million in 2024) was provided by Saratoga County.
“Data from the state DOT indicates that Saratoga County Airport alone, before all this transformation, generated over $9.7 million in local economic activity,” Dominguez said. “But, with this transformation, we anticipate that this investment will yield even greater returns moving forward.”
According to Dominguez, the construction project generated 390 local jobs.
The new terminal building includes several waiting areas, rental car facilities, and office space. The entrance/lobby area is adorned with artwork depicting mountains and horses, as well as posters promoting the Saratoga Battlefield’s augmented reality feature. The hangar includes 20,000 square-feet of space and has solar panels on its roof to help reduce the airport’s carbon footprint.
Photo via the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Putnam Market celebrated the opening of its new cafe and its 30th anniversary on Monday with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
Founded in 1995 by sisters Catharine Hamilton and Gloria Hamilton Griskowitz, the store first opened its doors at 63 Putnam Street and quickly became a local favorite, selling sandwiches, baked goods, custom cakes, and specialty groceries. In May 2000, the market moved to its current location at 431 Broadway.
The Café at Putnam Market is located in the former Putnam Wine space and offers espresso drinks, specialty teas, lemonades, wines, ciders, and beer.
The wine room closed at the end of last year, when the market’s Wine Director William Roach retired.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 30th annual Saratoga Soroptimist Secret Gardens Tour will return this Sunday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Advance tickets can be purchased at www.soroptimistsaratoga.org or at the Northshire Bookstore, Cudney’s Cleaners, Faddegon’s Nursery, or Adirondack Trust Co. branches. Day-of tickets will be sold online, and from 9:30 a.m. to noon (while supplies last) outside the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center at 297 Broadway.
Garden descriptions and suggested driving directions are provided with purchase.
The tour supports programs and individuals benefiting women and girls, including Wellspring. For more information, email secretgardensinfo@gmail.com.
Whitman Brewing unveiled its latest collaboration with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) at a release party last Friday night. This year’s beer, the Natural Wonder Pale Ale, is available at SPAC exclusive events. Photo via the Whitman Brewing Co.
Photo of the Saratoga County Airport exterior via LeChase Construction.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two local airports are in the midst of renovations, with work on the Saratoga County Airport due to be finished as soon as this week, and the Albany International Airport repaving its main runway, installing new escalators, and launching a partnership with Breeze Airways.
Saratoga County Airport Nearly Done
The private airport’s $35.2 million construction project, which was officially announced in May of last year, is nearing completion. Supervisor Matthew Veitch had announced at the Saratoga Springs Preliminary City Council Meeting a ribbon cutting ceremony that took place on Thursday, June 26 at 10 a.m.
The airport is getting a new terminal building, restaurant, 20,000-square-foot hangar, and various interior spaces for concessions and rental car facilities.
To fund the project, Saratoga County was awarded $27 million by the state, with an additional $2 million coming via federal funds. The remaining balance of the project was provided by Saratoga County itself.
According to Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett, the airport has an overall economic impact of more than $10 million.
Albany Coming Along
Meanwhile, the Albany International Airport continues its $100 million construction project, which will include the expansion of the airport’s terminal, the modernization of its entranceways, the expansion and relocation of the security area, the addition of seating and waiting areas, updated conference facilities, an expanded airside marketplace, a public arts area, and a children’s play zone.
Work on the project was initially expected to be completed early this year, but is still ongoing.
Earlier this month, the airport’s 8,500-foot-long, 150-foot-wide main runway was repaved, and the first of four new escalators was installed. Last month, two brand-new jet bridges arrived. In April, Uncommon Grounds—a coffee shop chain that first opened in Saratoga Springs in 1992—opened its newest location in the airport just past security.
Albany International also recently announced a new partnership with Breeze Airways, which includes the launch of non-stop service from Albany to both the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and the Charleston International Airport. The airline also offers connections to Fort Myers, Florida via Raleigh-Durham.
A new escalator is installed at the Albany International Airport. Photo via the airport.
Photo via the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spa Rituals Wellness celebrated its recent opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber called the spa located at 340 Broadway, Suite 7 the “new go-to spot for relaxation, rejuvenation, and holistic healing.”
“We are excited to embark on this wonderful journey right in the center of Saratoga Springs,” the company said in a message posted to its Facebook page.
Spa Rituals describes itself as a wellness spa committed to enhancing overall well-being through a range of rejuvenated services, such as skin care, treatments, and therapeutic massages.
