Photo of Old Saratoga Mercantile & Farm via the business.
SCHUYLERVILLE — The Saratoga County Soil and Water Conservation District has named The Farm at Old Saratoga Mercantile the 2025 Saratoga County Agricultural Environmental Management Farm of the Year.
The award honors farmers who have gone above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.
The husband and wife team of Tim and Christina Myers have operated the farm since 2017, growing vegetables year-round. They use organic methods with a focus on winter greens and offer their produce at their grocery store on the farm.
The Myers are also licensed growers of cannabis and opened a dispensary on site on Sept. 26. Called the Roots Farm Dispensary, the business says it grows cannabis “with the same care and dedication we bring to vegetable growing, organic methods, sustainable practices, and nothing but good vibes.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The newly-founded Youth Forward Foundation has a bold vision: A world where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive.
The Saratoga-based nonprofit is dedicated to empowering disadvantaged and underrepresented youth by creating access to athletic, music, and academic opportunities.
“We’re not just offering programs,” said founder Lisa Sondhof. “We’re building a movement—a community that tells every child: you matter, your dreams matter, and we’re here to help you move forward.”
Sondhof’s journey to creating the foundation began unexpectedly when she opened her home to children in foster care to provide short-term respite for overwhelmed foster families. What started as a small act of support quickly revealed to Sondhof a larger systemic need for a community of belonging, access, and encouragement.
Many of the children Sondhof welcomed had big dreams, such as playing sports, learning music, or excelling in school. But these children often lacked the resources or confidence to pursue those dreams. Thus, Sondhof founded the Youth Forward Foundation to help provide support to youth who have been left behind.
“Every child deserves more than a chance, they deserve a community behind them,” Sondhof said. “That’s what Youth Forward is here to be.”
The nonprofit will have two core program areas: Scholarships to support youth in accessing enrichment through sports, music, tutoring, and academic programs; and respite and support services for children in temporary foster care.
Youth Forward intends to raise funds and awareness via community events, including Operation Gingerbread (a festive, family-friendly holiday initiative benefiting local children) and Tapas for Toiletries (a culinary event collecting essential items for foster families while building connections across the community).
Youth Forward is currently offering partnership opportunities for individuals, businesses, and community groups at every level, from grassroots donors to lead sponsors. The organization also welcomes custom partnerships for those passionate about causes like STEM, the arts, or mental wellness.
A former Sliders Food Mart in Clayton, New York rebranded with Stewart’s Shops signage. Photo via Stewart’s.
BALLSTON SPA — Stewart’s Shops has continued its expansion across Upstate New York, announcing on Monday that it has acquired three Sliders Food Mart convenience stores in two counties north of Syracuse.
Stewart’s new stores are located in Harrisville, Croghan, and Clayton, New York. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
With the acquisitions, Stewart’s said that it now operates more than 400 shops across New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Sliders Food Mart was a locally-owned family business that advertised “fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, melts, wraps, subs, and pizza.” In September, the company confirmed it had entered into a contract with Stewart’s in a social media post.
“We did not make this decision without a great deal of consideration for both our employees and the communities in which we serve,” the post read. “The last eight years have allowed us to partner with you and share in both growth and success with levels we would never have imagined back in 2017 when we started on this adventure.”
The deal comes on the heels of Stewart’s purchase of the Jolley Associates convenience store chain roughly one year ago, which included 45 stores. In New York State alone, Stewart’s paid $9.6 million for former Jolley stores located in Clifton Park, Queensbury, Lake George, and Plattsburgh. Included in the deal were Jolley’s sister companies: S.B. Collins, a petroleum products company, and Clarence Brown, a heating fuel oil company.
Earlier this year, Stewart’s was directed by the Federal Trade Commission to relinquish control of several of its locations in areas of low competition. As a result, shops in Queensbury and Plattsburgh, among other locations, were sold off.
Interior Designs Atelier, a luxury interior designer shop in Saratoga Springs, recently celebrated five years in business with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. The business was founded by Linda Gerace-Skinner, whose portfolio includes work in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Photo provided by the Chamber.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — J. Gregory Connors, president and CEO of the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), was appointed last week by Governor Kathy Hochul to the SUNY Empire University Council.
Connors, who has begun a seven-year term, was chosen for the post after partnering with the university on several recent initiatives in his capacity with the SEDC.
University Councils provide advice and counsel to each SUNY president and their administration. They assist the SUNY Board of Trustees in choosing presidents for each SUNY school and, once chosen, presidents work at their own discretion with their University Councils on matters including university programs, budgets, enrollments, facilities, and student housing.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Julie & Co. Realty announced this week that Aaron Tomczak has joined the brokerage.
Tomczak grew up locally, graduating from the University at Albany, and has worked in the Capital Region his entire life. He began his career with Pioneer Bank in Albany, where he worked in commercial lending and portfolio management for several years.
In 2022, he transitioned into real estate development in Saratoga Springs. Currently working as a commercial real estate associate and asset manager with Bonacio, he oversees the company’s real estate portfolio and manages key stakeholder relationships, while also generating new real estate development opportunities.
Chefs Armand and Tatiana Vanderstigchel outside their restaurant Brasserie Benelux on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. Also pictured: former Mayor Ron Kim and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Why contend with jet lag, weak air conditioning, and airplane seats lacking legroom when you can feast on European fare here at home?
Husband-wife duo Armand and Tatiana Vanderstigchel opened Brasserie Benelux in the Spa City in 2021 and have been working in tandem to celebrate traditional European beer cultures ever since.
Chef Armand is the author of three cookbooks and a noted Buffalo wing connoisseur (more on that later) while Tatiana is the eatery’s pastry chef, specializing in crepes and apple strudel (which Armand said “sells like crazy”). Together, they’ve crafted a menu that takes tastebuds across Europe, from Dutch Bitterballen and Scandinavian salmon to Swedish meatballs and Bavarian pretzels.
Unsurprisingly, Oktoberfest is kind of a big deal at Brasserie Benelux. This time of year, expect special menu items like Oktoberfest roast chicken, smoked pork chops Kasseler, goulash, German potato salads, and Black Forest veal schnitzel (the offerings change weekly). And, of course, there are European brews on tap to cleanse the palate.
As the diverse menu might suggest, it took some globe trotting to discover and cook such a diverse array of dishes. Chef Armand was born in the USA but spent 17 years in the Netherlands. His areas of focus include Belgian, Dutch, German, Austrian, Polish, Belarusian, Alsatian, Czech, and Scandinavian food culture.
Being an Upstater since the early 90s, Armand is also fond of the North Country, which inspired one of his tomes, the “Adirondack Cookbook.” He first ventured into the area at the invitation of some Long Island friends who worked at the Saratoga Race Course.
“Immediately, I felt a comfort and attraction to the town,” Armand said. “In my opinion, Saratoga is a gateway to the Adirondacks.”
Armand celebrated the release of his first cookbook with a party at the Inn at Saratoga and then bounced around town selling copies. It soon became his long-term ambition to save up enough money to open up a restaurant in the Spa City.
“One of the interesting things in life can be foresight and I can remember standing on Broadway; I was looking at the location where I am now, and I said, ‘There should really be a European restaurant here.’ So, look what happened,” Armand said chuckling. “You never know, right?”
Another of Armand’s books, “Chicken Wings Across America,” helped solidify him as a wing expert as well. He’s been a judge at the Buffalo Wing festival in Buffalo, New York and was inducted into the national Chicken Wing Hall of Fame.
In the interest of thorough investigative journalism, we at Saratoga TODAY had to uncover the truth from Chef Armand: Who in Saratoga makes the best wings? (In the interest of fairness, we won’t include his own Wing Fest Buffalo Wings, currently on the menu at Brasserie Benelux).
“[I’m] always very intrigued and enjoying the Buffalo wings at the Parting Glass,” Armand said. “That’s been around for a long time and it’s a fun place with a lot of history… Another place I like for the wings is Harvey’s, a lot of my staff goes there late at night.”
Take it from someone who has made a career of studying the great cuisines of the world: There’s plenty of excellent food just around the corner.
New York State Restaurant Association & Discover Saratoga logos via their respective organizations.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) and Discover Saratoga recently announced a new collaborative partnership aimed at bolstering the restaurant and hospitality industries in the county. This strategic initiative will offer dual membership opportunities, making it easier for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow.
As part of this partnership, NYSRA is offering special discounted membership rates for Discover Saratoga hospitality members who are not currently NYSRA members.
“This partnership represents a significant step toward uniting and strengthening our region’s hospitality community,” said Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of NYSRA. “As long-time supporters of the Capital Region, we recognize the incredible momentum building in Saratoga’s restaurant, hospitality, and tourism sectors. By lowering the barrier to entry, we hope to provide more businesses with access to essential tools, training, and advocacy that drive long-term success for both of our organizations.”
“Discover Saratoga is thrilled to partner with the New York State Restaurant Association
to support the growth and success of our local hospitality community,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga. “Our organizations complement each other in meaningful ways—NYSRA provides statewide advocacy, training, and cost-saving programs, while Discover Saratoga drives visitation and economic impact here in Saratoga County. By offering these discounted dual memberships, we’re making it easier for restaurants and hospitality businesses to benefit from both networks, maximize their resources, and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Business Showcase is returning this fall, scheduled for 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Spa State Park. The event is open to the public. A post-event exhibitor mixer will also take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The expo is the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s premier event for businesses and organizations of all sizes and industries looking to grow, connect, and build their brand throughout the county’s business network. From startups to seasoned corporations to B2B service providers, this event offers a platform to meet potential clients, collaborators, and fellow professionals.
“This showcase is our largest professional networking event of the year and presents a phenomenal opportunity for anyone looking to cultivate valuable relationships, explore new opportunities and establish impactful connections within our community,” Chamber President Todd Shimkus said in a news release. “We anticipate a great turnout of exhibitors and attendees eager to engage within a lively networking environment.”
Businesses and organizations interested in being an exhibitor or sponsor are encouraged to reserve booth space by emailing Andrea Mulholland at amulholland@saratoga.org. Limited spaces are available. More information about the event is available online at saratoga.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Williams Financial recently announced that Tyler Cinelli has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification, recognized as the standard of excellence in financial planning.
The CFP marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP Board, including having successfully completed financial planning coursework at an accredited college or university and passed the 6-hour comprehensive CFP certification exam.
As a financial planner and the firm’s retirement plan specialist, Cinelli works with households to clarify and pursue their financial goals, while also assisting in designing and managing the firm’s investment portfolios. He also serves as Williams Financial’s trading specialist, executing client trades during both regular account rebalancing and in response to cash flow needs. Cinelli joined Williams Financial in 2017.
“Tyler’s dedication to professional growth is matched only by his care for the clients he serves,” said James (JJ) Williams, the CEO and founder of Williams Financial. “Earning the CFP certification demonstrates his commitment to delivering the highest standard of fiduciary financial planning, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with him.”
Williams Financial is an independent, fee-only Registered Investment Advisory firm with offices in Saratoga Springs and North Bennington, Vermont.
