43 Phila building development continues

A Saratoga builder who recently renovated and opened the Seven Horse Pub at 43 Phila St. says he has more plans up his sleeve for the circa-1880 building.

Joe Mack, a general contractor who owned the Horseshoe Inn Bar and Grill until three years ago, said his new pub has space for about 120 people downstairs, and plans are in the making for a full-service restaurant and bar on the second floor of the building, which would seat 50 people.

“That’s why this building was so appealing to me. It needed to be renovated,” said Mack, who also owns commercial property in Ballston and Malta.

The building most recently housed 43 Phila Bistro, which closed in 2006. Mack bought it in January and opened the pub Aug. 5.

Tracing back the liquor licenses revealed that the building had housed some sort of bar since 1890, he said. In keeping with the character of the building, he hand-built a bar of red and white oak that seats more than 30 people.

The second phase of construction should be done next spring, he added.

“I’m working under a limited venue now, but as far as the actual pub atmosphere, I’m getting a lot of business,” Mack said.

The kitchen manager is Justin Moran, who worked with Mack at the Horseshoe Inn. Dinner can be had for less than $20, Mack said, with a menu of homemade seafood and Italian specialties, steaks, pasta and burgers. He also plans to offer brick-oven pizza as the restaurant gets under way.

Seven Horse Pub (581-0777) is open from 4 p.m. until late, seven days a week.

Props to take space at 514 Broadway

A furniture and home accessory shop is in the making at 514 Broadway, the storefront just vacated by Saratoga Mystique, a piano gallery that moved one door down in the Algonquin Building.

Owner Patricia Wizner plans to open Props next month and sell vintage, refurbished and new furniture, as well as accessories for the home and commissioned artwork.

“It’s kinda eclectic,” Wizner said of the pieces she’ll choose to fill the store — not quite antiques, but a mix of furniture and lamps in both vintage and modern styles.

Wizner said Props will be her first venture into the downtown retail world after a career as a loan officer. The business will complement her longtime work as an interior design assistant, she said, a service she’ll be offering out of the store.