Street Named for Straus
An alleyway where late business owner Mark Strauss would illegally park now bears his name
(Aidan Cahill)
There wasn’t a dry eye in city hall as friends, family members, business partners and elected officials gathered to honor late business owner Mark Straus with a street named for him.
The ceremony took place June 24 in City Hall — having been moved inside due to dangerous heat. The city renamed part of Maple Street after Straus, who owned and operated several businesses on Broadway.
Straus was remembered as someone who played a huge role in the shaping of Saratoga Springs — particularly Broadway. He opened his first shop in 1971 and quickly became involved in preserving and expanding Saratoga Springs’ businesses.
Many local leaders spoke about his character and impact on the city.
“To speak of Mark is to recognize a true pioneer in our community,” said Deann Devitt from the Downtown Saratoga Springs Business Association “Broadway in the 70s and 80s was a different place. Although it was lined with historic and architecturally beautiful buildings, many stood vacant, neglected and at risk of being lost. While many contributed to the revitalization of downtown Saratoga Springs, Mark had a unique vision, one of a bustling, connected and thriving downtown center.”
Similar comments were made by his son Alexander who said Straus worked hard to help entrepreneurs succeed in Saratoga Springs.
“He would make the time to help them realize their dreams,” Straus said. “He wanted to see people, especially entrepreneurs, find their foothold in this community and to grow and to really foster a city full of rich, vibrant, beautiful restaurants, stores and businesses.”
Straus said his father was proud of the city and his legacy. As for the alley itself, Straus joked that his father used to illegally park in it.
“He would just pull in and he never got towed,” Straus said. “He would follow every rule, but for some reason that alley, he felt like that was his parking spot.”
In 2012, The Saratoga Historic Preservation Society awarded Straus with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to preserving downtown Saratoga Springs.