Joe Gillis is preparing to open his second Dunday's clothing store in the old home of Divinyl Revolution at 431 Broadway. The original Dunday's is in Gloversville.
I talked to Gillis’ girlfriend, Deborah Ashe, who said the clothing store will aim to appeal to men and women over 30 years old with a variety of brands including Aventura Clothing. They'll also have accessories, scarves, and handbags for sale which may appeal to a younger crowd.
Dunday's plans to open for business before the influx of racetrack goers arrive in the Spa City.  Gillis and Ashe have refinished the store's wood floors and put in wall fixings and are awaiting their first shipment of clothes. Keep an eye open for the opening of the new clothing store within the next couple weeks.

-- Marcella Jewell

Photographer Erica Miller (@TogianPhotog) took this shot of the Druthers Brewing Co. being built on Broadway Tuesday. It's next to the former home of the Shoe Depot and is filling up the last little bit of empty frontage on Broadway.

Reporter Lucian McCarty caught up with co-owner Chris Martell today and he said they are aiming to open on July 30.

They're hoping to have 12 varieties of beer on tap at all times.

Sounds delicious and it's making me thirsty. We'll have more on this tomorrow when Lucian is taking a tour of the building.

-- Emily

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A men's clothing store call The National, started by the same people who run Saratoga National Golf Club, opened in the former home of the Shoe Depot at 385 Broadway today.

According to a press release, the store will feature brands including Peter Millar, Bills Khakis, Bugatchi Uomo, UGG of Australia and Filson as well as "highly personalized service."

More from the release:

The force behind “The National” is Saratoga National Golf Club, the championship golf and dining landmark located on Union Avenue east of Northway Exit 14. The nouveau haberdashery not only derives its name from the parent company, it will serve as an outlet for Saratoga National to showcase its award-winning golf and dining services to a downtown audience.

Widescreen plasma televisions will display virtual tours of the golf course and the restaurant and event facilities of Prime at Saratoga National. Several of the clothing lines will be embroidered with the Saratoga National Golf Club logo.

“Many visitors to downtown Saratoga aren’t aware of what Saratoga National has to offer,” said Thomas Newkirk, CEO of Saratoga National. “We hope The National will provide out-of-town visitors and local residents with a good feel for our facility, and encourage them to join us for golf, fine dining and entertainment.”

Shoppers also will be able to book tee times, make dinner reservations and purchase Saratoga National golf passes and gift cards, which are good for golf, dining or merchandise. “They can even discuss hosting a golf outing, wedding orfundraiser at the club,” said Newkirk.

The National will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

As signs have promised for a couple months now, Frivolous Boutique, now located on Division Street, will also move into the same building this month. 

— Emily

UPDATE: Reporter Lucian McCarty confirmed this one and wrote a story, which you can click here to read.  The plans call for an 11-screen theater on the first floor of the to-be-expanded building and two additional floors of retail/office space. Also, a whopping 7 parking spots.

Here's a picture of the proposal:

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It's the hottest rumor in Saratoga — I hear it almost daily on blogs, on twitter via email and phone calls — and today it's one step closer to confirmation.

The rumor: Developer Sonny Bonacio is planning to turn the former Railroad Place Price Chopper into a movie theater.

Today's confirmation (or as close as we can get to it): The Daily Gazette reports that the county Planning Board approved a concept to turn the building into a movie theater last night. The city's Planning Board will be the next to review the plans. Bonacio wouldn't confirm any details, but did say he's trying to lure a movie theater operator to the Spa City (suggestion: tell them about the kettle corn guy, you could lure me anywhere with that stuff).

We're working on our own story about this right now (and kicking ourselves for not going to that meeting last night) but, for the time being, I suggest you check out the Gazette's story. (It's behind their paywall, fyi)

More kudos to the Saratoga Idiots who have been all over this rumor for months.

-- Emily

Esquire magazine is conducting a poll looking for the "most life-changing fried chicken joint in America" and Saratoga Springs' own Hattie's is one of the 8 joints in the running.
Click here to vote for Hattie's. 

As of the time I posted this, Hattie's and 6 other "joints" were all getting smoked by Price's Chicken Coop in Charlotte, NC. which has 62.8% of the vote — Hattie's has just 4.4% of the vote.

Do you think Hattie's chicken is life-changing? If you do (or if you just want to express your hometown pride), better cast your vote.

I think Hattie's will be even more life-changing when they expand their outdoor seating options as planned into the alley between them and Seven Horse Pub.

(Kudos to the Saratoga Idiots blog for first reporting this, at least they were the first I saw)

Now craving fried chicken -- and a mojito, 
Emily

Here we are, again, with no biz reporter... Wishing Jamie all the best in her new endeavor, she's already sorely missed around here.
I'll be taking over the reins of the blog while we try to fill this position. Hopefully I'll be introducing a new biz reporter to you in no time. (Interested in applying or know someone who is? Here's the info.)

I've got a few biz tidbits for you, gleaned from around the internet.

1. 51 Front Wine Bar & Bistro in Ballston Spa has new owners and had a grand re-opening last week. (Full credit to Table Hopping's Steve Barnes for first writing about this change.) According to the restaurant's website, Joe and Elena Marosek bought the restaurant from former owners, Carolyn and Scott Frances. (Here's a story we wrote in 2008 about the Franceses selling their former restaurant, Eartha's Kitchen in Saratoga Springs, and planning to open 51 Front.) Check out 51 Front's facebook page for more information and delicious-looking photos of their menu offerings. We'll have more on this just as soon as we have a reporter to assign to cover it (get used to hearing me say that...).

2. Dan DeFedericis reports on his Fun in Saratoga blog that the Trackside Grill is open for the season.

3. I chatted with (read: chased around the sidewalk while he carried equipment from his car) a man who was doing work on the former location of Divinyl Revolution on Broadway a couple weeks ago, he told me he was preparing the location to become a men's clothing store. He said it will be a Dunday's store -- Dunday's is a menswear store with a location in Gloversville, here's their website. 

4. Right next door, in the former home of Elle Ced, a new home good store opened last week. Read intern Chynna Johnson's story on Homessence here. 

5. I got a call from John at Caputo's Pizzeria last week to tell me about a recently-completed renovation and expansion at the Route 50 pizzeria. Apparently they can now seat 80 people. I've never had pizza from Caputo's, but I consistently see it named as one of the best in the area, so I think I'm missing out. Here's their website. Again, I hope we'll have more on this soon.

6. This, from my inbox:

Saratoga South Boutique now open in Malta.

The exciting new gift store located in the Shops of Malta (intersection Rt 9 & 67) has been given life by Joan Rello of Malta. “My life dramatically changed when I was offered early retirement last year. The idea of owning and operating my own business after 35 years in the corporate world is becoming a reality”.

Saratoga South Boutique is a fulfillment of Joan Rello’s dream gift shop that offers a relaxed atmosphere along with one-of-a-kind items.

 
-- Emily

It's with some sadness this evening that I leave the In The Biz blog and you faithful readers. I'm leaving The Saratogian for another reporting job, but I've really enjoyed manning this blog for a while, and I have confidence that a new reporter who is chomping at the bit to bring you education and business news from Saratoga County, will be on board soon.

In the meantime, check the Saratogian website and follow @SaratogianNews on Twitter, and send any business news tips to news@saratogian.com.


-- Jamie

The Cambridge Hotel will have one "last hurrah" before closing its doors for good on Sunday, the hotel's management confirmed on its Facebook page. Sunday, June 17 is the final day of operation, and will have a party beginning at 11 a.m. There will be specials available all day.
"It has been a pleasure getting to know the wonderful people in our community," the message reads. "The relationships that have been bonded and the memories will last forever. Thank you for your business and your understanding in these difficult times."
The hotel, which has experienced financial difficulties over the years, is in foreclosure and is scheduled to be auctioned off at 9:30 a.m. Friday (tomorrow) at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward.
Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. foreclosed on the property in April. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay filmed a new show there earlier this year, called "Hotel Hell," which has yet to air.

And according to a sign in the window, new Broadway home store Home Essence is slated to open its doors on Monday, June 18. The store is located next to Piper and DiVinyl Revolution's old spot on Broadway.

-- Jamie

There will be a grand opening for The Living Room bar on Thursday. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m., dinner is from 5 p.m. to midnight, live music from Low ‘N Lonesome is from 7 to 9 p.m. and a late night menu will be available from midnight to 2 a.m.

We're also headed over to both the Comfort Kitchen and Boca Bistro later this afternoon to check out both restaurants that are opening today. When I walked by Boca Bistro a couple hours ago, a bunch of workers were still outside working on some finishing touches. Check out tomorrow's Saratogian for a story on both of those restaurant openings.

--Jamie

Comfort Kitchen, which seeks to give comfort food a healthier twist, will open its doors in the Saratoga Marketplace at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Chef Rory Moran, who worked before at Max London's, is opening the space, which is located downstairs in the marketplace.

Little Red Millinery will host an event to celebrate the launch of their hat-making business from 2 to 6 p.m. June 23 at Surrey Gardens at Skidmore College, 815 North Broadway. The event is free and open to the public.
Little Red Millinery is a new division of the Red Confetti Art Studio, which is owned and operated by local artist Caroline Blake at 153 Regent Street.
The event, which is called "Top It Off" will feature hat-making activities for children and adults, a silent auction to benefit local charities and a hat fashion show with music and choreography by the Tango Fusion Dance Company. The rain date is June 30.
Blake, a native of Belgium, launched the art studio on Regent Street last year, where she teaches art classes for children and adults. She will design one-of-a-kind hats for all occasions, following her grandmother who was a hat-maker in Brussels.
Blake uses new and recycled materials to create hats, and works with clients to personalize the hats to them. The hats range in price from $25 to $250, depending on the style, material and amount of time it takes to create it.
For more information, contact Blake at Caroline@redconfettiartstudio.com or 583-7111. Hats will also be available for purchase through Etsy. 

The Saratoga Wine Exchange has moved to a new location in Ballston Lake, after spending a decade in Saratoga Springs and ultimately outgrowing the space. The store is now located in the New Hannaford Plaza at 43 Round Lake Road, off Northway exit 11. It's an expanded location and includes more parking than was available in the city. Wines are also available for shipping on the store's website.

--Jamie

Saratoga Springs music staple DiVinyl Revolution opened back up this week in a new location in the Saratoga Marketplace. The store is located downstairs in the marketplace, which is at 454 Broadway.
I popped in a little while ago, and while the space is smaller than the previous location, it seems to fit pretty perfectly in that space - racks of records and CDs line the walls and shelves sit in the middle of the room with more music and some vintage clothing like a personal favorite, Converse sneakers.
When I talked to owner Brittany Nasser when she closed her other Broadway location last month, she said rent was on the rise and she was looking for a new place in the city to open - and it only took several weeks until she did.

Have a fantastic weekend!

--Jamie

After being closed for renovations since Friday, Twenty 8 Tables, 17 Maple Ave., is reopening for dinner at 5 tonight. The owners of Panza’s Restaurant are planning to take over ownership soon. According to office manager Melissa D’Andrea, Panza’s is working in a consulting role with the current owners until they can transfer the liquor license.

D’Andrea said Chef John Ireland – of Panza’s and formerly The Wine Bar – will be working in the kitchen at Twenty 8 Tables. The menu will be different than the former Twenty 8 Tables menu and will include a few favorites from the Panza’s menu. (She noted 28tables.com still has the old menu, so disregard that.)

She said The Metro — located downstairs from the restaurant — will also reopen tonight at 6 after also undergoing some renovations. The New York Players are scheduled to perform there beginning at 8 p.m. Friday.

D’Andrea said Panza’s management plans to change the name of the restaurant once the ownership is completely transferred – hopefully in a couple weeks. Until then, the new name is top secret.

— By Betsy DeMars

The Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio on Henry Street will host its grand opening at 6 p.m. June 16. There will be cocktails, light hors d'oeuvres and give-aways.
The studio pairs alcoholic beverages with classes taught by local artists. If you go, the idea is to start with a blank canvas and emerge with your very own replica of Munch's The Scream, Monet's Water Lilies or Van Gogh's Starry Night. (Or at least something that looks like a replica when you're a couple glasses of Cabernet deep.)
Catherine Hover, a managing partner in the studio, said then that she wanted to be open for a while and work out the kinks before holding a grand opening. See the story we ran in April when the studio was getting ready to open its doors.


--Jamie

Boca Bistro, a Spanish bistro and Tapas bar, will open at 384 Broadway next week. It's the fourth restaurant for DZ Restaurants, owned by David and Roslyn Zecchini. They also own Chianti Il Ristorante and Forno Bistro in Saratoga Springs and Pasta Pane in Clifton Park.
The grand opening will take place at 5 p.m. June 12 and is open to the public. Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Saratoga Hospital Community Health Resource Center, to provide medical services to uninsured and underinsured people.
The restaurant seats 90 and has a sidewalk patio, as well as private event space. It will be open seven days a week, serving dinner at 5 p.m., and happy hour is 2 to 6 p.m. daily.

There's a new hot dog joint in town for the adventurous carnivores among you, boasting toppings like organic peanut butter and maple bacon. Spa Citydogs has locations outside Allerdice Ace Hardware on Route 9 in Malta, and Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs.

--Jamie

Get excited, cheese lovers. Putnam Market on Broadway will close on Monday and Tuesday to construct a specialized cheese room. Market co-owner Cathy Hamilton traveled to London where she was in La Fromagerie, a cheese shop that had a similar room, and decided to bring the idea back to Saratoga Springs.

The 100 square foot room will be located near where the cheese is currently located in the store, but the new room will be enclosed, insulated and kept at a temperature somewhere between 50 and 55 degrees. There will be a glass window customers can look through to see the cheese, and they can enter the room to sample. The cheese will be protected, wrapped and cut to order. Putnam Market sources its cheeses from regional cheese makers and some cheese importers.

“The goal is to roughly triple the amount of cheeses we carry and make it easier to see,” Hamilton said. “It’s new and exciting.”

Ali Khalil has reopened Manna’s restaurant in Ballston Spa with his brother, Moe. The name is the same as it was under the previous owners, but the menu is different. The restaurant, which has been open under the new owners for less than a month, offers a menu with mainly Italian-American cuisine with some breakfast menu options, and more of a focus on delivery and takeout food. The brothers also operate a pizza parlor, Rusty’s Pizzeria in Watervliet, which they took over three years ago. While the brothers do have experience in the restaurant business, this is the first restaurant they’ve operated that has a larger seating capacity.

They decided to keep the same name as the restaurant had before to make for an easier transition and because Manna’s was a big name in Ballston Spa.

“We decided to open this one because there was that motivation for more, the American dream,” Khalil said. “For us anyway, we give 200 percent.”

-- Jamie