SARATOGA SPRINGS — After 18 years in business, a popular pizza shop on Caroline Street has closed its doors.

D’Andrea’s Pizza Owner Rory Wilson confirmed in a video message posted to Facebook that he had sold his building at 33 Caroline Street and that his shop would close at 5 p.m. on May 7.

“I just wanted to say it wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s a decision I felt I wanted to make for my family and for myself,” Wilson said. “For the first time in a long time, I’m struggling to find words that I want to say here but I am so thankful and so blessed that I had this opportunity.”

All D’Andrea’s Pizza operations, including deliveries to Saratoga customers, will now take place at the company’s northern location at 654 Saratoga Road in Wilton, which Wilson said may soon expand its menu.

The closure comes on the heels of a proposal to build a mixed-used development at 33-35 Caroline Street. If all goes according to plan, the new structure would include commercial space on the ground floor and condominiums on the upper floors. The building that used to house D’Andrea’s would be demolished, along with the Union Coachworks structure at 35 Caroline.

Wilson’s video message about closing the shop led to an outpouring of tributes to the late-night pizza joint.

“End of an era,” wrote one commenter. “Glad I got the opportunity to stop in last year for one last slice; Caroline St. won’t be the same without you.”

“Thank you for everything you have done over the years for this community with all of your donations and fundraisers and just offering quality food at great prices,” wrote another.

“Wow,” Wilson responded to the messages. “I am so humbled and blessed by all the beautiful things written about us these past few days. It has been an adjustment and will continue to be an adjustment. Thankfully I have so many wonderful people by my side…Here is to many more years and thank you again for all the love and support. I am forever grateful.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs resident Jeff Methven was recently honored with the Top Workplaces 2025 Leadership Award for large employers.

Methven is president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam. He is the first leader of a Capital Region acute care hospital to earn this distinction in the 14 years since the Times Union launched the Top Workplace recognition program.

Before joining St. Mary’s, Methven served as executive vice president at Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs. A graduate of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, Methven has an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — DZ Restaurants announced last week the launch of its latest Thoroughbredz brew, an Italian-style lemon Pilsner created in partnership with Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.

Proceeds from every pint sold throughout the 2025 summer season will benefit B.E.S.T. (Backstretch Employee Service Team Saratoga), an organization dedicated to supporting the hardworking individuals whose behind-the-scenes efforts make Saratoga’s iconic racetrack possible. B.E.S.T. offers on-site counseling, primary healthcare services, access to health insurance, and case management support.

To celebrate the launch, Forno Bistro will be hosting a First Pour on the Patio on Wednesday, May 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy samples of Thoroughbredz and small bites, and mingle with jockey Ramon Domínguez and former Saratoga Race Course announcer Tom Durkin.

Thoroughbredz is described as a “crisp, floral, citrus-forward brew that pays homage to Italian brewing traditions while celebrating Saratoga’s racing culture.” It was developed in collaboration with DZ Restaurants’ beer aficionado Rich Peters and the brewers at Wolf Hollow. The two companies joined forces to create a similar beer last year.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sidecap—a new canned cocktail created by local friends Adam Feldman, Dave Dolinsky, and Case Fell—was unveiled in a celebration at Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor last Friday afternoon.

The drink contains a custom small batch of Kru Coffee cold brew spiked with vodka and delivered in a Ninth Planet Beverage Solutions can.

“The foundation of Sidecap is really community,” Feldman said at the event. “It’s Saratoga owners, Saratoga coffee, Saratoga canning, Saratoga retail; that’s what we really believe in.”

“Sidecap isn’t for sitting still,” reads the hard cold brew’s product description. “It’s for the go-getters, the risk-takers, the ones who rally when everyone else taps out. Whether you’re post-hike, pre-game, or mid-pool party, this is your drink. Cold. Bold. Unapologetic.”

Sidecap is now available at Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor and other local retailers.

CLIFTON PARK — Quality Design & Remodel recently announced the opening of its 6,000-square-foot design center in Clifton Park. The new showroom aims to streamline the home renovation process by providing a hands-on design experience under one roof.

The center features interactive design areas, multiple kitchens (including a fully operable gourmet kitchen), functional bathroom displays, and hundreds of product options. Everything in the showroom was built and installed by the Quality Design & Remodel team.

“When clients walk in, they’ll immediately understand how our company is different and what a high-level design and remodeling firm can achieve for them,” said Gregg Biche, founder and president of Quality Design & Remodel, in a news release. “This space provides a curated, guided experience that empowers every client to bring the home of their dreams into reality – truly the best part of our job.”

Located at 1745 Route 9 in Clifton Park, the center also utilizes a custom app that allows designers to navigate clients through an extensive online sample database using touchscreen monitors.

“Instead of asking clients to imagine possibilities from small samples tucked away in cabinets, we can walk them through fully realized spaces, touch functional fixtures, and make selections in a thoughtfully planned process,” said Nicole Gurney, project designer at Quality Design & Remodel.

The creation of the new design center follows the recent growth of the home remodeling market. Due, in part, to high interest rates and aging housing stock, the National Association of Home Builders forecasts a 5% gain in 2025 and a 3% gain in 2026 of residential remodeling activity.

“Homeowners are increasingly choosing to tap into their home equity and invest in improvements rather than relocate, creating long-term growth prospects for the industry,” says NAHB Economist Eric Lynch. “Although the remodeling industry faces certain headwinds, favorable demographics and characteristics of the current housing stock will boost remodeling activity in 2025.”

Quality Design & Remodel estimates that their new facility will allow them to take on 30% more projects within the next two years.

The Clifton Park Design Center is currently open by appointment. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit qualitydesignremodel.com or call (518) 459-7100.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After a quick bugle call in the parking lot of the recently renovated Stewart’s Shops at 402 Lake Avenue, the ice cream maker partnered with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to unveil the “Bel-Mint Stakes,” a tribute version of Mint Cookie Crumble.

The Belmont-themed flavor will be available at Stewart’s counters for a limited time, from April 28 until June 8 (the final day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga).

“Stewart’s and Saratoga Race Course have worked closely for many years,” said Stewart’s Chief Operation Officer Chad Kiesow in a press release. “It is exciting to expand our partnership to celebrate the Belmont Stakes, an event that brings so many racing fans and so much energy to the community.”

Stewart’s is also offering a special $99 three-day general admission pass for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at participating store locations. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Last week, Druthers Brewing unveiled the latest can design for Saratoga Vibes, a light lager with hints of lemon and lime, available at Druthers locations and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). In an Instagram post, Druthers called the beer “a favorite seasonal tradition that hypes us all up.”

The can design by artist Jean Ellen Sotansky depicts a band with an impressive lightshow playing on the SPAC stage. The image may be inspired by Goose, a jam band that played at SPAC twice in 2024 and once in 2023.

Sotansky, a Saratoga local, is also responsible for large-scale murals at Druthers, Hattie’s, Osteria Danny, and Nashville of Saratoga.

The new can heralds the arrival of the SPAC spring/summer concert season, which kicks off this month.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the wake of federal funding cuts for food and hunger relief programs, Pitney Meadows Community Farm and the Saratoga Hospital Community of Excellence have received funding from international nonprofit Health Care Without Harm for a Food as Medicine pilot program in Saratoga County.

The program, designed to strengthen the local food system while improving health outcomes, will provide enhanced Food as Medicine produce boxes to residents of three housing communities in need: the Stonequist Apartments in Saratoga Springs, the Intrada Apartments in Saratoga Springs, and the Riverview Apartments in Corinth.

Each participant will receive biweekly deliveries of locally grown, nutrient-dense food, along with educational materials on healthy eating and meal preparation. These deliveries will feature a diverse array of seasonal produce, grains, legumes, and other farm products, purchased directly from Pitney Meadows and a network of other local farms. 

The Saratoga Hospital Food as Medicine Community of Excellence Workgroup, led by Pitney Meadows, spearheaded the development of this pilot. The workgroup convenes healthcare providers, community organizations, and food producers to help ensure the program effectively meets local health and nutrition needs. 

“This project not only increases access to fresh, healthy food but also sets a model for how communities can sustain these initiatives long-term,” said Dr. Renee Rodriguez, a Saratoga Hospital Community of Excellence representative, in a news release. “By gathering data on health outcomes and program impact, we aim to make this a replicable solution for communities nationwide.”

“As federal funding for hunger relief and small farms declines, initiatives like this become even more vital,” said Daniel Williams, assistant farm manager of Food Sovereignty Programs. “Pitney Meadows and our partners are working to ensure Food as Medicine programs remain viable and sustainable through innovative partnerships and local investments.” 

According to a recent report by ABC News, food bank managers across the country have said that their supplies, which were already strained by post-pandemic rising demand, have been worsened by recent cuts in federal funding to food distribution programs. In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut $500 million from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which buys food from domestic producers and sends it to pantries nationwide.

MALTA — Balet Flowers & Design celebrated the grand opening of its new barn last week on Earth Day.

The Flower and Arts Barn is stocked with bushes, perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, handmade pottery, and additional gardening supplies.

The company also specializes in creating floral designs with a “unique country flair” for weddings and other special events.

Until July 3, the new barn located at 5065 Nelson Avenue Ext in Malta will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. From July 5 until December 23, it will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except Thanksgiving).

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York State Department of Transportation recently shared photos detailing construction progress on the Saratoga County Airport, which is getting a new terminal building, restaurant, 20,000-square-foot hangar, and various interior spaces for concessions and rental car facilities.

The images revealed a horse racing statue outside the terminal, as well as a cavernous, window-filled space inside the terminal with a large staircase.

“Once complete, the upgraded airport will offer a better experience for travelers, support local businesses, and strengthen the region’s economy,” the Department of Transportation said. “We’re proud to help bring this project to life and keep Saratoga County moving forward.”

As previously reported by Saratoga TODAY, a public hearing is set to take place on May 13 regarding a proposed lease agreement with Alexi’s at the Airport, Inc. for the exclusive operation of a restaurant space in the airport.

The restaurant would be located inside the terminal, which includes a newly constructed commercial-grade kitchen, bar, dining area, back-of-house storage, and catering area.

If the agreement is approved, Alexi’s at the Airport Inc. would be the airport’s exclusive provider of food services.