CLIFTON PARK — Blo Blow Dry Bar, which bills itself as the world’s largest blow dry bar franchise, opened a location in Clifton Park at the end of January.
Located at 22 Clifton Country Road, the new bar will offer guests five signature styles on its hair menu, a la carte options, a variety of hair treatments, plus five signature makeup looks and a brand-new section of customized looks.
The new bar is owned and operated by local entrepreneur Carrie Faden. Faden is a former stay-at-home mom who dedicated years to raising her three daughters before diving back into the business world.
“From the moment I experienced Blo myself, I knew it was the perfect fit,” Faden said in a statement. “It combines my love for beauty with my desire to create a welcoming space where everyone feels pampered and uplifted. I can’t wait to share this experience with our guests and make Blo a beloved part of our community.”
Blo Blow Dry Bar is open Monday through Saturday (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
SARATOGA SPRINGS — After staying off the shelves for five years, Mountain Brew lager is returning to Stewart’s Shops in February with a new recipe and a taller, 19.2-ounce can, thanks to a partnership with Adirondack Mountains craft brewer Paradox Brewery.
“Mountain Brew is a great example of a fun nostalgic product,” said Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake in a news release, “and maybe the world could use a little more fun and nostalgia right now.”
To celebrate the release of Mountain Brew, Paradox hosted an event at its brewery in North Hudson on January 22, when the first batch of Mountain Brew was canned.
Mountain Brew will be available in Stewart’s Shops by February 3.
MECHANICVILLE — Having seen too many fires break out because of clogged-up dryer vents during his time with a disaster recovery group, Dan Kirchner has made it his mission to prevent as many of those disasters as possible. So he decided to start Duct Kings, a company that cleans out the air ducts and dryer vents of homes and businesses to both improve air quality for customers and protect the spaces that mean the most to them.
A lifetime resident of the Capital Region, Kirchner knows what it’s like to be a part of and serve the local community. In addition to working with the disaster recovery company KPM Restorations, he also helps run Ninja Labs in both Saratoga and Albany, providing local children with a place to feel free, challenge themselves, and have fun. And while Duct Kings is a business, Kirchner said it’s a business that exists to help people.
“We just try to be as transparent and honest as possible,” Kirchner said. “We offer free quotes and affordable pricing. We try to just be straight shooters and take care of people.”
Kirchner said that customers can be assured that they are being taken care of by expert, certified technicians who will be transparent during every step of the process. He also said that customers can feel confident that their health needs are being thought of whenever they are serviced by Duct Kings, with all products being all natural. All dust and allergens are stripped away as well, first being sanitized and then vacuumed up so the air is as clean as possible.
Located at 5 Knabner Road in Mechanicville, Duct Kings aims to meet the needs of the people in the Capital Region to help them breathe better and breathe easier. For more information on available services, area coverage, and pricing, visit ductkingsny.com, or call 518-718-3828. Duct Kings is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Phila Street. So hot right now. Phila Street.
New York’s hottest club is Phila Street.
I don’t know how to put this but Phila Street is kind of a big deal. It has many leather-bound books and smells of rich mahogany.
OK, now that the pop culture references are out of the way, it is indeed true that Phila Street in downtown Saratoga Springs is bustling with new establishments set to open their doors this year.
One of the eateries is Standard Fare, a new enterprise from Bocage Champagne Bar owners Zac Denham and Clark Gale.
Located at 21 Phila Street, Standard Fare aims to deliver “upscale American comfort food,” with a menu that includes dishes like meatloaf, mozzarella sticks with caviar, double-cut Berkshire pork chops with apple sauce and potato pancakes, “big dumb milkshakes,” and over-the-top pies and cakes. It’s a restaurant that Denham and Gale said would be appropriate for both a high school baseball team celebrating a big win and a couple in search of an evening date spot.
“The name reflects our goal: raising the bar for the kind of food we all secretly crave but often overlook,” Gale said.
Denham and Gale said the restaurant will feature a chic design that’s unlike anything else that currently exists in Saratoga.
Standard Fare will be open seven days a week, with extended late-night hours (midnight during the week and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). Lunch, brunch, and takeaway options will follow shortly after the initial opening, which should happen at some point this spring.
“2025 is shaping up to be a huge year for dining in Saratoga,” Denham said. “With so many exciting new openings, we wanted to create a space that cuts through the noise—something that feels timeless yet vibrant, indulgent yet accessible. Comfort food that’s nostalgic yet surprising.”
“We’ve loved being part of the Phila Street community with Bocage,” said Gale. “This area has such a unique energy, and if you’ve never ventured off Broadway, you’re missing something special. The vibe here is unmatched, and we’re excited to contribute to its story.”
The story of Phila Street has a few other chapters being added to it this year as well. One is Familiar Creature, a forthcoming “Montreal-inspired” wine bar located at 42 Phila that was created by the team behind Hamlet & Ghost. Familiar Creature will serve local meats and cheeses, roasted chicken, French small plates, and, of course, wine. The kitchen will be led by Chefs Michele Hunter and Alex Johnson.
Then there’s Noah’s at 43 Phila, an Italian joint from Chef Noah Frese of Siro’s fame. Perhaps setting the tone, the restaurant’s first Instagram post features the cast of “The Sopranos.” The red sauce venture is billed as “your new, favorite, usual spot” where “everything [is] made with love, taking you back to the best part of an Italian’s childhood.”
Finally (for now, at least), there’s the more casual Fillies on Phila, a wood-fired pizza restaurant that, according to Saratoga Living, is set to open this winter. The owner, Micah Henzel, also co-owns the neighborhood bar/restaurant Milton Tavern, which opened in Ballston Spa in 2023. Fillies will be located at 39 Phila, the former home of Nashville of Saratoga.
By our count, that’s at least four new restaurants opening up on Phila Street this year that will join local favorites like Harvey’s, Sweet Mimi’s, Mittler’s, Bailey’s, Bocage, Trattoria Fortunata, and Solevo.
It’s been alleged that there are more restaurants in Saratoga Springs per capita than anywhere else in the country. It may be hard to determine whether that’s definitely true, but take a stroll on Phila Street in between Broadway and Henry Street later this year and you might believe it.
Three of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s new board members: Ramon Dominguez, Sharon Dominguez, and Keith Augustine. Photos provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, a nonprofit that provides sanctuary for retired racehorses that are then used for equine therapy, announced this week the appointment of four new board members: Ramon Dominguez, Sharon Dominguez, Keith Augustine, and David L. Swank.
Ramon Dominguez is a Hall of Fame jockey who began his equestrian career in Venezuela, transitioning from show jumping to Thoroughbred racing before moving to the U.S. in 1996. With nearly 5,000 career wins (including 160 in graded stakes), his impact on the sport continues post-retirement through advocacy for humane treatment of horses and support for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. His leadership roles include serving as President of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy and as an Ambassador for Brooke USA.
Sharon Dominguez’s passion for horses began in Delaware, where her father trained Standardbreds and her mother owned riding horses. With a BA in Visual Communications, she combined her career and love of horses by supporting Thoroughbred racing industry initiatives, including the New York Race Track Chaplaincy and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Keith Augustine is a sales executive with over 17 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business management. He serves as Vice President of Sales and Co-Owner of The Lazy Dog Cookie Co. In addition to his professional pursuits, Keith is active in community service, serving on the boards of organizations such as Dogs on Deployment, and mentoring small businesses through Business for Good.
David L. Swank is a software executive and entrepreneur who founded Pacific Triangle Software, Inc., leading the company before its sale in 2010. His career spans roles in management, sales, marketing, and IT.
“The addition of these dedicated individuals to the [Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga] board will ensure that the organization continues to thrive and expand its equine-assisted therapy programs,” said Dr. Erin Christopher-Sisk, co-founder of Therapeutic Horses, in a statement. “Their unique expertise, shared passion for our mission, and commitment to mental health will help us make a lasting impact on our community.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has donated $4,500 to the Franklin Community Center. The funds were a portion of the proceeds generated by the SEDC’s 2024 Holiday Reception held at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs last month.
“The daily efforts by the Franklin Community Center staff and volunteers improves the lives of thousands,” said SEDC President and CEO Greg Connors in a news release. “SEDC members/stakeholders are making a difference every day in the community they call home. We are proud of their philanthropic efforts and grateful for their membership in SEDC.”
Established in 1983, the Franklin Community Center is a family resource for the Saratoga community. The organization offers services such as a free store distribution center, an emergency food pantry, an after-school program focused on bolstering self-esteem, and provision of safe and affordable housing through efficiency apartments tailored for low-income individuals. In addition to direct services, the center also advocates for enhancing access to affordable housing, combating food insecurity, fostering financial stability, and facilitating access to support services.
WILTON — Local construction industry leaders assembled on Tuesday morning at SUNY Adirondack’s Wilton campus for a panel discussion about the future of the business in Saratoga County. Among other topics, the panelists described issues they’re facing with recruiting and training new hires, many of whom lack skills applicable to the construction trade.
“Historically, in our industry, we recruited farm kids,” said David Collins, owner of D.A. Collins Companies. “They know how to fix equipment, they know how to operate equipment, they know how to work long, hard hours. Now those farms aren’t around anymore.”
Collins said the lack of skilled recruits was resulting in more training for new hires.
“The younger people coming in don’t have the same work ethic or insight into what a day’s work is compared to a farm kid,” added Michael Munter, vice president of Munter Enterprises. “I don’t want to use the word ‘soft,’ but I think we’re a little softer than it was when we were out there in the trenches getting screamed at.”
Munter said that veteran construction workers had begun mentoring younger workers to help show them the ropes.
Audience member Stacey Fantauzzi, vice president of operations for North East Fire Protection Systems, said business owners themselves had also become “soft” by “accommodating a lot of the shenanigans” of new hires. Fantauzzi said parents are “atrophying our children by allowing a lot of this softness.”
One 2022 survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America found that 91% of construction firms reported having difficulty filling open positions due to a lack of qualified candidates. This shortage of skilled laborers could result in longer and costlier projects, declines in productivity and quality control, and more injuries on the job.
The labor issues could also impact housing shortages. A fall 2024 labor market report from the Home Builders Institute stated that “additional skilled construction workers will be needed to reduce the nation’s housing deficit during the second part of the current decade, a shortfall [the National Association of Homebuilders] estimates to total 1.5 million homes.”
Despite the need for more workers, labor shortages in home building remain widespread, even with an uptick in immigration over the last two years. A NAHB/Well Fargo Housing Market Index survey found that builders reported shortages in 16 different trades, ranging from landscape to carpentry.
James Dawsey, president of MLB Construction Services, suggested that a stronger presence in schools was necessary to introduce kids to skills applicable to the construction trade.
“I think if we reach down and at least give the kids a basis for wanting to get into this business, I think that’s a big plus on our side,” Dawsey said. “Hopefully it’ll pay dividends in the future to try to attract people into our business.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Pollard Bryan & Carl Wealth Management Group, which has offices in Saratoga Springs and Albany, was recently named to the “Best-in-State Wealth Management Team” list by Forbes. The list is compiled by SHOOK Research, which uses quantitative and qualitative data, including interviews, to rank teams.
“Making the Forbes/SHOOK list has been one of our goals and we are extremely proud to have achieved this,” said Raymond C.H. Bryan, First Vice President / Wealth Management, in a news release.
Other local wealth management firms that made Forbes’ list include SiRiCa in Clifton Park, SEAM in Saratoga Springs, and the Anderson Financial Group in Saratoga Springs.
Pollard Bryan & Carl Wealth Management Group is a team of financial professionals at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC that currently oversees $1 billion in client assets.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Federal, a not-for-profit financial cooperative, recently announced the expansion of its field of membership, allowing individuals living, working, or attending school in Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties to become members.
“By expanding our field of membership, we’re making it possible for more people to benefit from affordable financial services,” said President/CEO, Don Denofio, in a statement. “Whether you’re shopping at Price Chopper/Market 32 or grabbing a coffee at Stewart’s Shops, you can access your accounts with surcharge-free ATM access, and with our shared branching network, you can take care of your financial needs no matter where you are.”
Saratoga Federal is a full-service financial institution founded in 1945 by a group of educators in the Saratoga Springs Public School System. The organization has locations at 189 Ballston Avenue in Saratoga Springs and 444 Geyser Road in Ballston Spa.
