27 Saratoga Businesses That Are Opening, Closing, or Switching Gears
Big news from Old World Gourmet Market, Sara's Kitchen, and more.
There’s never a dull moment in Saratoga’s lively business scene, and it’s a full-time job trying to keep up (key word: trying). Here’s everything we know about what’s opening, closing, or changing in the Spa City:
Now Open
Fillies on Phila: Opened by Milton Tavern co-owner Micah Henzel earlier this month, Fillies on Phila is a casual bar/restaurant serving up wood stone–fired pizzas, small plates, salads, shareables, and entrees in the former home of Nashville of Saratoga (and Peabody’s). See the menu here.
Glisten: Saratogians have been getting their glisten on since last month, when former dancer Meghan Campion opened Glisten, a dance-inspired fitness studio located across Maple Ave from Artisanal Brew Works.
U•ME: We’re late to the party on this one, but U•ME has been serving up ramen, poke bowls, and boba tea from its location in the Market 32 plaza for more than two months.
Innovation Center at Saratoga: It only opened a month ago, but the Innovation Center at Saratoga (actually located in Malta) already has a packed schedule of classes, ranging from 3D printing to stained glass. You don’t need to take a class to visit, though; lots of high-end equipment is available for use by members or day pass holders.
Vessel: Owned by Saratoga Clay Arts Center founder Jill Fishon-Kovachick, Vessel is a new Henry Street shop that sells clay works from more than 30 artists.
Brescia Salon: In case you missed it, Saratogians now have a new spot to get their hair done. Brescia Salon, located on Woodlawn Ave, is owned by Jason Brescia, who brings more then 33 years of experience as a hairdresser to the salon.
Now Closed
D’Andrea’s Pizza: Earlier this month, D’Andrea’s Pizza’s beloved Caroline Street location officially closed its doors to make way for a mixed-use building that is proposed on the property. The shop’s location in Gansevoort remains open.
Dehn’s Flowers Garden Center: After 133 years in business, Dehn’s Flowers on Beekman Street shut its doors earlier this year. Like D’Andrea’s, though, customers can still shop at the business’ other location, Dehn’s Flowers & Gifts in Milton.
The Beef Jerky Experience: Broadway’s beef jerky joint has closed its doors after more than five years in business. Keep reading to find what’s going into the now-vacant storefront.
The Mind Body Spirit Shoppe: Also closed is Saratoga’s Mind Body Spirit Shoppe, which was located two doors down from The Beef Jerky Experience. Owner Christine Seebold-Walrath says the shop’s inventory has moved to her Colonie Center location.
PJ’s BAR-B-QSA (currently): Barbecue joint PJ’s announced last fall that it would be closing for the winter, but come spring, its doors never reopened. In April, the owners told WGNA that they were “in the midst of making decisions about the future of PJ's BAR-B-QSA”; they didn’t respond when I followed up with them this week.
Opening Soon
Old World Gourmet Market (x2): Brooklynites Maria and John Biagini are planning to open Old World Gourmet Market in the space formerly occupied by Pier 1 on Route 50 on June 11, as well as a downtown Saratoga outpost in the Algonquin building on Broadway several weeks after. Maria tells me that all the cooking will be done in Wilton, and a selection of what’s available there will be transported to Saratoga. In the future, the Biaginis have dreams of opening locations in Clifton Park and Stuyvesant Plaza.
Petal + Hive: Ballston Spa beauty retail shop Petal + Hive has closed one door and is planning to opened another—at 510 Broadway in Saratoga.
The Counter at Five Points: The market located at Saratoga’s infamous “Five Points” intersection on the East Side is once again changing hands, this time to Ashley Freeman and Nick Cook of Airstream Catering Co. The new spot will be called The Counter at Five Points, and Ashley says they plan to open about two weeks after Belmont.
Club Pilates: This just in: Pilates franchise Club Pilates is getting ready to open a new location in Wilton Square (the Target plaza). Just be careful when booking a class—there’s also a location in Saratoga Springs, UT!
Noah’s: We’ve been talking about upscale Italian chophouse Noah’s for quite some time, but the Phila Street restaurant is finally nearing completion. At the beginning of May, I heard they were aiming to open in early June, but ownership didn’t respond when I reached out this week.
Standard Fare: Another highly anticipated Phila Street newcomer? Standard Fare. Owner Zac Denham tells me they’ve hired their culinary leadership team and construction is planned to wrap up in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on their social media to be the first to know when they’ll be open.
Chipotle: I have no more information than you do, but the Chipotle near the intersection of Route 50 and Route 9 seems to be coming along.
Alexi’s at the Airport (maybe): In April, Albany Business Review reported that Alexi Lekkas of Alexis Diner in North Greenbush had submitted a proposal to open a new location at the Saratoga County Airport called Alexi’s at the Airport. This week, the owner told me that the project had been placed on hold until further notice.
New Owners
In the last month, there seems to have been somewhat of a changing of the guard, as current or former staff members take over ownership of establishments all around town.
Bri Collins, a bartender with a finance background bought Tin & Lint (and appears to have launched the dive bar’s first Instagram account)
Nicholas Byrne, a former Osteria Danny server, bought the Henry Street Italian restaurant
A longtime employee is the new owner of Esperanto, per a post in the What’s Going on Saratoga Facebook group. (Late-shift hero RJ Burtt neither confirmed nor denied that it was him.)
Down in Ballston Spa, server Ashley Livingstone has taken over the Route 50 Diner and dubbed it the Doubleday Diner, per a post in the All Things Ballston Spa Facebook group
New Groove
Saratoga Chocolate Co.: Fresh off a nomination for USA Today’s 10 Best Chocolate Shops in the US for the second year in a row (you can vote here), Saratoga Chocolate Co. has opened up shop at its new, larger location in the Saratoga Marketplace. The store now features an expanded cafe area and seating, a larger selection of hot and cold beverages, and snacks designed to complement their iconic chocolate.
Clancy’s Tavern: Clancy’s is in the midst of a $150,000 renovation that will improve the bathrooms (!) and allow the bar to serve “real” food. (Previously, it offered packaged snacks and some slow-cooker soups.) Managing Partner Griffin Clancy told the Times Union that the name of the bar will change slightly, but will still incorporate “Clancy’s.”
Sara’s Kitchen: Big things are happening over at Sara’s Kitchen, which this week announced that it’s now offering full table service and an expanded menu with more entree-sized options, creative small plates, and creative cocktails. Check it out Tuesday–Saturday from noon–3pm and 5:30–9pm.
—Natalie
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