The Wm. H. Buckley Farm in Ballston Lake. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) has announced the return of the Saratoga Farm Showcase, which will take place on Saturday, June 21. The event is a self-guided farm tour celebrating local farms and emphasizing the importance of protecting agricultural land in the Saratoga region.
Eleven farms centered around the Towns of Ballston Spa, Charlton, and Galway will participate in the showcase from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The farms demonstrate the diversity of agriculture in the region, from vegetables to livestock and orchards to flowers.
Participating farms include: Arnold’s Farm Fresh Produce, Balet Flowers & Design, Bob’s Trees, City Goat Farm, Featherbed Lane Farm, Main Street Studio, Shades of Green, Smith Brothers Farm & Orchard Bake Shop, Stem & Stone Farm, Thymly Herb Group, Milton Grange, Taste NY, Koval Bros. Dairy, LLC, 4H Equine, and Wm. H. Buckley Farm.
“The future of farming in the Saratoga region depends on small farms not just surviving but thriving,” said Megan Miraglia, executive director of City Goat Farm, in a statement. “We are so grateful to participate in Saratoga PLAN’s Farm Showcase, helping demonstrate the value of local farms and the role they play in our community.”
One highlight of this year’s showcase is the permanently conserved Wm. H. Buckley Farm in Ballston Lake, a picturesque countryside farm with views of the Green Mountains. Protected in partnership with Saratoga PLAN, the farm has deep agricultural roots dating back to the 1760s. Today, owner Mark Sacco carries the legacy forward by running a 365-acre working farm and committing to sustainable farming practices. He has also worked to preserve the property’s historic character, including a restored farmhouse used for retreats and the original barn, which will host the launch of this year’s Saratoga Farm Showcase.
Attendees can visit Buckley Farm anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick-up their Saratoga PLAN canvas tote bag containing a printed brochure with farm descriptions and a map, event bracelets, and farm goods such as local maple syrup, wildflower seeds, and a gift certificate for a Stewart’s ice cream cone.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit saratogaplan.org/2025farmshowcase. Tickets will also be sold on-site at the kick-off event at Wm. H. Buckley Farm.
Stewart’s Shops executives Gary Dake, Chad Kiesow, and Bill Dake. Image via Stewart’s Shops.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — For the first time in the company’s 80-year history, Stewart’s Shops will have a president who isn’t part of the Dake family.
Chief Operating Officer Chad Kiesow has been promoted to president of the popular Capital Region convenience store chain, the company announced Monday.
Despite appointing a non-Dake as president, the family that has owned Stewart’s since 1945 isn’t leaving the company. Bill Dake remains chairman of the organization, while his son Gary Dake remains involved in day-to-day operations as chief executive officer.
“This transition is at least three years in the making, and it is all about continuity,” Gary Dake said in a statement. “Chad has been an integral part of the business since he joined us more than three decades ago. He understands our bottom-up culture and our focus on taking care of our people and the communities we serve.”
Kiesow first joined Stewart’s in 1994, when the company acquired the Bonfare convenience store chain. He started his Stewart’s career managing the gas department and moved to vice president of facilities before his promotion to chief operating officer a little more than a year ago.
“It is an honor to take on more responsibilities with the company, but this is not a sign of big changes,” Kiesow said. “I still have the same number of bosses that I had last week. The Dakes have never been shy, and they are not the kind of leaders who will sit quietly on the sidelines.”
The management transition is occurring in conjunction with the Dake family’s decision last year to gradually sell their remaining shares in the business to its employees. The ownership transition will occur over the next 15 to 20 years.
“One of the things that makes Stewart’s so fortunate is our stability,” said Chairman Bill Dake. “That stability can be seen as it relates to our business, our leadership team, and our commitment to supporting the communities where we do business.”
Photo via the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Cardona’s Market recently concluded its 80th anniversary celebration by holding a special event at its newly renovated Saratoga location. The event featured various giveaways, new products, and food specials. Local officials including State Senator Jim Tedisco, Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford, and Saratoga County Supervisor Matt Veitch were in attendance.
Photos of Christine L. Keller and Shelly Hendrix provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Julie & Co. Realty recently added two new members to its brokerage: Christine L. Keller and Shelly Hendrix.
Keller has called the Adirondacks home for her entire life. Currently based in Putnam Station, she’s built a career as a realtor over the past 30 years, serving clients throughout Ticonderoga and the surrounding areas. Keller enjoys helping people at all stages of life; whether they’re searching for their first home, a vacation retreat, a business location, or simply a peaceful getaway property.
Hendrix is a real estate professional based in Ticonderoga and a lifelong resident of the Adirondacks. She began her career in real estate as an administrative assistant, gaining industry experience before earning her New York State real estate salesperson license in 2022. Since then, she has been guiding her clients through the buying and selling process. She’s received awards such as the 2023 Quality Service Producer and the 2024 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer. Hendrix focuses on properties in Ticonderoga and the surrounding areas, including Crown Point, Moriah, Port Henry, Schroon Lake, and Elizabethtown.
Photo of Aaron Madej via his Instagram account, @internaaron.
ALBANY — Greeting the governor. Suiting up to play for the Albany FireWolves. Winning the judges’ choice award at a fashion show in Saratoga Springs.
For the past year or so, it felt like everywhere you looked in the Capital Region, there was Intern Aaron (real name: Aaron Madej), a content producer and social media star who, until earlier this month, worked at Two Buttons Deep, a digital media company that has collaborated with Stewart’s Shops, the Saratoga Casino Hotel, and a host of other local institutions.
Then, with one swift social media post, he was gone.
“The rumors are true, Intern Aaron has left Two Buttons Deep; he quit,” announced the company’s co-founder Jack Carpenter in a May 8 video. “I speak for the team when I say that we’re bummed. We didn’t see this coming, and I felt he had a lot more potential here in our world, but alas, he’s got new opportunities coming his way and he’s doing what’s best for Intern Aaron, and really that’s all that matters.”
But the Aaron Madej story didn’t end there. Rather, it entered its sequel, “Empire [State] Strikes Back” era.
“When my departure happened, it came to a certain point where I realized that I needed to prioritize myself and my mental health and go forward and take new opportunities that also align with my personal, career-driven mission,” Madej told Saratoga TODAY.
That mission? To become an on-air personality for QVC, the home shopping network that Madej said he’s been watching since he was four years old.
“I have always been amazed at the persuasive tone of reporters on QVC, and that sort of carried through my entire life,” Madej said. “No joke, I put QVC on in the background in my house. It’s literally on the TV muted right now.”
Madej’s long-time admiration of QVC has helped dictate where his career is headed next, now that he’s officially a free agent. He’ll be working with Lola Saratoga, the downtown boutique known for its designer handbags, selling their products live on TikTok. Madej is also looking to expand his presence from social media to TV screens. It’s all in pursuit of his QVC dream.
“If QVC called me today, the second call would be to my landlord to cancel my lease,” Madej quipped.
Although he’d skip town for such an opportunity, Madej said he believes he’ll always end up back at home here in the Capital Region.
“I love it here,” said Madej, who grew up in Amsterdam. “It’s all I’ve ever known.”
While attending Amsterdam High School, the former intern fell in love with the world of marketing and knew he wanted to pursue it as a career. Fast forward a few years later and Madej, now a student at the University at Albany, saw an opening at Two Buttons Deep. Interested in a fun and flexible opportunity, it was a natural fit.
His tenure at the company began with an internship (hence his nickname) in fall 2023 before he was promoted to content producer. In that role, he appeared on the Buttonista Show podcast, met with clients, and curated social media content. His time at the company taught him not only how to be a success in the social media landscape, but it also provided a crash course in the businesses and power players of the Capital Region. But becoming a notable on-camera personality wasn’t something Madej initially expected.
“I got to learn, especially from Taylor Rao [aka the Buttonista], a lot of what it takes to be on camera and how we can shift our personalities to be best for the camera,” he said.
Despite the shift, Madej said his public persona is genuine, albeit a bit more extroverted than his true self. And when his true self is out and about in the world, he said he’s often approached by fans.
“It’s very strange to be that hyper-local celebrity,” Madej said. “It’s really great to be able to connect with people and also remind myself every day that my small work that I do really makes a positive impact in people’s lives and makes them feel better not only about themselves but also about the area that they live in.”
Whether selling handbags, interviewing the governor, dancing with the FireWolves, strutting his stuff at Panza’s, or ending up on QVC, the artist formerly known as Intern Aaron is, at heart, a Capital Region devotee.
“I love that every single city has a little bit of a different culture,” he said. “Every day I can wake up and I can choose what I want. If I want a big city life or if I want to go to the track or if I want to go to the Adirondacks and do some hiking, it’s all within arm’s reach. And that’s what I love about it.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — 23andMe, the genetic testing company that uses saliva samples to reveal the ancestry of its customers, is reportedly being purchased by a biotechnology company with Saratoga connections.
The Associated Press reported this week that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is buying 23andMe for $256 million after the genetics company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.
“We believe we can help 23andMe deliver and build upon its mission to help people learn about their own DNA and how to improve their personal health, while furthering Regeneron’s efforts to improve the health and wellness of many,” Regeneron Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer George Yancopoulos said in a statement.
A member of 23andMe’s board said that the transaction would ensure the protection of customer privacy, choice, and consent with respect to their genetic data.
Regeneron, which is based in Tarrytown, New York, purchased the former Quad Graphics printing facility in Saratoga Springs last year. Quad Graphics had ceased its operations in May 2024, causing hundreds of workers to lose their jobs.
According to its corporate fact sheet, Regeneron has more than 13,000 employees worldwide. The company has offices scattered across the globe, including its headquarters in Tarrytown and an industrial operations and product supply facility in Rensselaer.
Regeneron, called “one of the region’s largest employers” by the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, had a reported revenue of more than $13 billion in 2023. In 2020, the company signed a $450 million contract with the U.S. government to manufacture and supply REGN-COV2, a double-antibody cocktail designed to combat the coronavirus. The cocktail was administered to President Donald Trump when he was infected with COVID-19 in October 2020.
Marianna Barker poses alongside State Senator Jim Tedisco. Photo provided.
ALBANY — Marianne “Mare” Barker, owner and founder of the Impressions of Saratoga gift shop in downtown Saratoga Springs, was recently honored as a 2025 “Woman of Distinction” by Senator Jim Tedisco and his colleagues in the New York State Senate.
“Under Mare’s leadership and dedication, Impressions of Saratoga has become a destination, woman-owned small business for locals and tourists to shop for all things Saratoga and equestrian themed,” Tedisco said in a statement. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to honor her as a 2025 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction for all her hard work and everything she has done for our local economy.”
Originally from Bellmore, New York, Barker attended SUNY Cobleskill, where she met her husband, Dave Barker. They have lived in Saratoga Springs for more than 45 years.
Barker initially started her business alongside her husband in Cobleskill in 1978 as a screen printing and embroidery shop. A retail storefront was added a year later before the store was relocated to the Spa City. Since 2018, Barker has co-owned Impressions with Maddy Zanetti.
Barker has also spearheaded other business endeavors over the years, including The Bijou Bar (during the 1980’s), Racing Impressions (the licensee and merchandiser for NYRA for eight years), and Bailey’s Café. In 2018, Barker and Zanetti opened their second retail location in downtown Saratoga, The Dark Horse Mercantile.
A group of local business leaders participate in the “Inside Ballston Spa” panel discussion at the Milton Community Center on Tuesday morning. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa business leaders representing the construction, real estate, tourism, and hospitality industries convened at the Milton Community Center on Tuesday morning to discuss the state and future of the village.
County-wide issues such as meager housing inventory and a declining workforce in the trades have borne their brunt on Ballston Spa. But the impact of local events such as the forthcoming Belmont Stakes or the opening of Tree House Brewing have yielded positive and/or mixed results for the village.
Challenges, successes, and future plans were the focus of the “Inside Ballston Spa” discussion presented by the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County (an affiliate of the Capital Region Chamber) and the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association.
The Trades
Doug Ford, vice president of public relations and purchasing at the Curtis Lumber Company, said his industry has changed dramatically since he first entered it. Women, once a rare sight in lumber yards in the 1970s, now make up roughly half of Curtis’ workforce, he said. But attracting younger people into the industry has been a persistent challenge.
“We’ve done an absolutely horrible job of getting in front of young people and helping them understand exactly what our job entails and the opportunities that exist,” Ford said. “It’s not the schools that were at fault, it was us as an industry. We were absolutely doing nothing to help ourselves.”
Ford said that, at first, his company began talking to high school juniors and seniors, but he soon realized this was too late in a young person’s life to introduce the possibility of working in the trades. Today, outreach begins with elementary students and continues through middle school, high school, and college.
“I think the biggest thing we have to understand is that the trades are not a default to going to college. That’s the mindset that really needs to change,” Ford said. “If you’ve tried to hire a plumber, electrician, or someone from the trades recently, you’ll start to understand that’s a very lucrative and rewarding career path. It’s not something we should be looking down upon.”
Real Estate
Lisa Licata, managing broker of the Sterling Real Estate Group, said housing inventory remains low (despite high demand) and that interest rates are averaging around 6% for a 15-year mortgage and 6.8% for a 30-year. But, she said, there’s also been a sizable uptick in new construction and interest in modular homes.
“The average price point for a resale home is about $409,000, and that’s up 4% from last year,” Licata said. “In April, 61% of the homes that sold went above the asking price. 90% of those homes were on the market for less than 30 days. There is a big need for affordability.”
Tourism
Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga, is a Ballston Spa resident who said that the village’s remarkable growth over the years has made it a destination for the influx of Saratoga Race Course visitors arriving each summer.
“I’m pretty proud of what’s happening here,” Leggieri said. “The culinary scene, the small businesses; you don’t see a lot of vacancies downtown, which is awesome…We have the assets here, it’s about amplifying that message and that’s what we try to do at Discover Saratoga.”
Leggieri said that tourism is a $1 billion industry in Saratoga County, creating thousands of jobs and tax relief for residents.
“If you create a destination where people want to visit, you’ll create a destination where people want to live,” he said. “And if you create a destination where people want to live, you’ll create a destination where people want to work, and they’ll also want to invest. That’s the circle, and it keeps on going and going.”
Breweries
One Ballston Spa-based asset that reels in tourists is Speckled Pig Brewing, which is expanding its downtown presence with a new, neighboring distillery set to open sometime this year. Larry Heid, a Speckled Pig co-owner, said his company offers tastings at the Taste New York Pavilion at the track, which allows them to invite racing fans to venture to their brewery in Ballston Spa. He also said that outdoor spaces are an important attraction for summertime tourists (Speckled Pig has a rooftop space and the forthcoming distillery will feature an outdoor patio).
As for the arrival of Tree House Brewing earlier this year, Heid said he knew the brewery would offer some stiff competition, but that Speckled Pig offers more of a community experience than its larger competitor.
“What we really like to do is make sure that when people come to the Speckled Pig, they feel like a community,” he said. “We love seeing people all of a sudden be like, ‘Oh my God, we haven’t seen you in forever,’ and the Speckled Pig becomes a gathering place for residents of the Village of Ballston Spa. So we can hit on that customer experience that a place like Treehouse doesn’t doesn’t have.”
Heid said he often sees people arriving at Speckled Pig after first stopping by Tree House. This brewery-hopping, added Leggieri, has become a focus for Discover Saratoga, which is working on ways to incentivize tourists to visit multiple local breweries.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — About three months after the relaunch of Stewart’s Mountain Brew, the brand has been recognized as a top private-label beer by the Wall Street Journal.
Stewart’s teamed up with Adirondacks craft brewer Paradox Brewery to create what the Journal called “a refreshing new recipe.”
Stewart’s is among a growing number of retailers “that work closely with craft breweries to produce compelling beers that deliver both value and taste,” the Journal wrote earlier this month.
“It is an honor that Mountain Brew has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal,” said Stewart’s Marketing Director Bill Majewski in a press release. “I think the secret to our early success is that we found a way to produce a fresh and local beer that also has a great taste and great value for our customers.”
After staying off the shelves for five years, Mountain Brew lager returned to Stewart’s Shops in February with a new recipe and a taller, 19.2-ounce can. The tall boy is available in Stewart’s Shops across Upstate New York.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Audiologic Solutions, which provides personalized hearing healthcare services, recently announced the opening of a new office in Saratoga Springs.
The company said that the addition would allow it to provide “comprehensive hearing aid services, including state-of-the-art technology and personalized fittings, as well as specialized tinnitus evaluations and treatments, to a broader community.”
The new office is located at 125 High Rock Avenue, Suite 205.
Audiologic Solutions also has locations in Rensselaer, Queensbury, and Hudson.
