Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB) announced that all the bank’s 10 branch offices will be collecting worn American flags through June 13. The public may bring flags that are worn, tattered or faded to any of the bank’s locations in Saratoga County. A group of BSNB’s Volunteers In Action will ensure that collected flags are delivered to a local American Legion where they will be properly retired.
 

With a combination of high-tech convenience and personal service, BSNB offers a wide range of products and services to municipalities, businesses, nonprofits, families and individuals. Offices are located in Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills, Clifton Park, Galway, Greenfield Center, Malta, Milton, Stillwater and Wilton. 

--Jennie

Professional photographer Veronica Huang of Veronica Huang Photography and party stylist Heather Schleif of Sweet Boochie are now offering their Picture Perfect Playdates. Parents can schedule a spectacular play date and have beautiful photographs taken to remember the occasion.

Picture Perfect Playdates was developed for parents looking for a new and unique activity to do with their children, parents who are craving images like those seen on Pinterest and other photo-sharing sites. The idea came to Huang and Schleif after Huang captured several birthday parties designed by Schleif. The images were beautiful and were immediately chosen to be featured on popular party-design Web sites like Hostess with the Mostess, Kara's Party Ideas and A Blissfull Nest, as well as on Pinterest. The two business owners decided to do something on a smaller scale to give more parents an opportunity to get the same types of images at an affordable price.

Here's how it works: Picture Perfect Playdates are hosted by one person who provides the location and coordinates the guest list. Each of the guests pays $50 (the host is free) and will receive a personal 15- to 20-minute photo session (in addition to candid shots), as well as a choice of one 8x10 or two 5x7 art prints. Each play date will be designed in a chosen theme by Schleif, who will provide snacks, activities, favors and a beautiful setup right to your location (i.e., home, local park, etc.).

This gives children a new experience with their friends, while providing a beautiful backdrop for the photographs. Huang will capture each child in a natural setting, playing and doing what kids do best. This allows for more lifestyle shots that let your child's personality shine through rather than a traditional sit, pose and say "Cheese" session. The photos will make beautiful gifts or can be kept as cherished memories. Among the play date options are an ice cream social in the summer, a back-to-school date in late August or a harvest theme for fall to get fabulous shots for a holiday card. The possibilities are endless, and Huang and Schleif would love to bring your vision to life.

 For more information and to book your play date, contact Huang at 406-6461 or pictureperfectplaydates@gmail.com.

--Jennie

 

The grand opening of The Car Hop Ice Cream Shop at 2007 Doubleday Ave. in the Village of Ballston Spa will take place June 7 at 6 p.m. Owner Mike Klein will officially cut the ribbon on his new business, accompanied by Ballston Spa Mayor John Romano, as well as members of the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, family and many friends, along with a strong showing from the Kustom Kulture car and bike community Klein has supported over the years.

The Doubleday Avenue plaza, home to an ice cream stand, an eat-in restaurant and a Dunkin Donuts for years, has been undergoing a facelift during the past few months as Klein has taken over two storefronts and added his own flair for cars, bikes and Kustom Kulture. His aim was to bring this great little family stop back to life.

What makes the The Car Hop Ice Cream Shop different from most eateries? The artwork on the outside of the building shows vehicles strategically placed and hand-painted. All artwork is by internationally acclaimed Kulture artist, Doug Hoch. Hoch's artwork will draw many automobile and art aficionados to the business who would like to see firsthand what the artist has created specifically for The Car Hop Ice Cream Shop.

During the summer months, Klein will offer the finest of handcrafted foods, and will also be a destination for the car and bike worlds, designating different nights for the enthusiasts to fire up their engines and head on over. Monday is car night, and Tuesday is bike night, both from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. He assures everyone parking will not be an issue.

The Car Hop Ice Cream Shop will be expanding by fall and will be moving into a larger ’year-round space, currently housing the newest of Upstate Cellular stores Klein owns. He will scale down Upstate Cellular a bit to accommodate the ice cream shop’s move. The extra interior space will be dedicated to offering the same fine made-to-order specialties in a dining environment with hundreds of culture art items to view. The current Car Hop will be altered to a new and exciting concept in 2014.

The Car Hop menu features many items not traditionally found in similar restaurants, such as: Nathan's Hot Dogs, fresh hamburger and steak, Black and Tan onion rings, custom-made and named sandwiches, fried Oreos, bacon sundaes, premium soft serve, Perry's ice cream and many homemade items made fresh daily. Customers can order from the core menu board, and also select among new ideas and daily specials.

Klein is excited to say that his manager of The Car Hop Ice Cream Shop is the famous Lovey Lee. She is most remembered as a local morning disc jockey with humor and personality that got many commuters to work on time and in a great mood, Klein said. Lee is critical in formulating daily specials, having been in the restaurant business for 25 years. With a flair and a passion for food preparation, she is always on a daily mission to add something a little different to the menu. An ice cream shop offering shepherd's pie as a special is unheard of. But not here. Lee found a day when the weather was not working in their favor--a little too wet and damp for a traditional lunch. So she quickly put together homemade shepherd's pie, saving the day and warming all who enjoyed the special.

The hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Visit the Car Hop Ice Cream Shop Facebook page to check hours and specials.

--Jennie

 

Katie Camarro, owner of Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce in Wilton, has been featured in a new “Where Women Cook” hardcover publication called “Pie-Ography – Where Pie Meets Biography: 42 Fabulous Recipes by 39 Extraordinary Women.” Katie’s four-page piece is filled with colorful photos, some interesting insights into her life and company, and a recipe for her Maple Walnut Hot Fudge Ice Cream Pie. 

Sundaes Best is a line of 12 hot fudge sauces under Greenfield’s Greatest Food Company, established by Camarro and her husband, Jeff Shinaman, in 2001. Based on a Shinaman family recipe, the ingredients include Stewart’s half and half, Cabot butter, real sugar, and top-shelf cocoa and dark chocolate.

The dessert toppings can be found locally in the Capital Region, and in 400 retail, kitchen and gift stores across the country. For more information, go to www.sundaesbest.com.

--Jennie

Cigar and pipe smokers now have an even more elegant place to come in out of the rain: James and Sons Tobacconists at 360 Broadway has opened two private membership lounges in the 1,000-square-foot space of its shop’s second floor. One lounge is decorated and appointed in English style, and the other is vibrantly Cuban.

The formal Black Diamond Club English Lounge features hardwood floors, an exquisite painting and an old-fashioned tin ceiling, with fine leather chairs. The Black Diamond Club Cuban Lounge is full of vivid colors and authentic Cuban touches, said James Kommer, who owns the six-year-old shop with his sons, Brandon and Kyle. 

“In the Cuban Lounge, there are attractive wood and leather chairs, a custom-made domino table and a mural of a turquoise ’55-type Chevy,” Kommer said.

Both lounges’ other amenities include flat-screen televisions, Wi-Fi, surround sound, and coffee and soda.

The two new lounges offer key-card access, and membership includes a locker for storage of cigars and other items. Membership rates are $250 annually, plus a $40 monthly fee; members have a 15 percent discount at the store and a 30 percent discount on cigar products.

Downstairs, where the shop comprises 1,400 square feet, the Kommers will keep their original lounge. Like the upstairs lounges, this space features a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, surround sound, and coffee and soda. 

“There, we have nice big cushy leather chairs,” Kommer said. 

The downstairs lounge’s membership rates are $150 annually with a 10 percent discount at the store. With locker rental, the downstairs lounge membership is $250, and the discount is 15 percent.

“With today’s environment, smoking anywhere is a real challenge,” Kommer said. “With our lounges, people can come in, relax, and enjoy a good cigar and pleasant company. The cigars are second to the camaraderie here. We’ve met some terrific people over the years.” 

--Jennie

 

Wednesday, May 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will co-host a luncheon and presentation at the Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway. The cost is $25 per person.

Economic development expert J. Mac Holladay will speak. He has more than 30 years of experience as a state economic development director and chamber professional. He now leads Market Street Services, a community and economic development consulting firm with experience in 33 states and more than 150 communities nationwide.    

 

Holladay will provide a formal presentation comprising current national economic realities, Saratoga County's position since the great recession, key tenets of economic development, best practices, measuring results, and the importance of partnerships and regional thinking.

This event will kick off a collaborative planning effort that will permit the mapping out of the future of Saratoga County’s economic development. The input of all stakeholders in the Saratoga County business community is valued. 

 --Jennie

 

Wednesday, May 22, $1 from every cup of iced coffee sold at participating Capital Region Dunkin’ Donuts will benefit The Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.

“Dunkin’ Donuts is thrilled to celebrate summer with the return of Iced Coffee Day to the Capital Region,” said Dunkin’ Donuts Field Marketing Manager Eric Stensland. “We could not think of a better way to welcome the warmer temperatures than a cool, refreshing Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee. I encourage residents throughout the Capital Region to join us on Iced Coffee Day to support The Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center. I am confident our loyal guests will be excited to raise funds for an organization that is so important to our community.”

The Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center is a 125-bed facility devoted exclusively to the medical needs of infants, children and adolescents, and is the referral center for all seriously ill and injured children from 25 counties in upstate New York and western New England.  It is staffed by 140 physicians trained in 34 subspecialties, and more than 400 pediatric nurses, therapists, social workers and child-life specialists.

  “The support Dunkin’ Donuts and its customers have provided our Children’s Hospital through sales on Iced Coffee Day has been fantastic,” said Dr. David A. Clark, director of the Children’s Hospital.  “Each time people enjoys a cup of Dunkin’ iced coffee on May 22, they will also be helping the thousands of children who count on Albany Med each year.”

Dunkin' Donuts has been at the forefront in developing an innovative process for brewing iced coffee, which has set the standard for the industry. The unique process, called double brewing, uses twice the amount of coffee when making the beverage to achieve consistent flavor and freshness that are never compromised at the expense of serving it cold. The result is a smooth, rich taste sensation--iced coffee that is not bitter or watered down.

           

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is a popular stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. The firm has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for seven years running. The company has more than 10,000 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. For the full-year 2012, Dunkin' Donuts' restaurants had global franchisee-reported sales of approximately $6.9 billion. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin' Donuts is part of the Dunkin' Brands Group (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com, www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts and www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts.

--Jennie

   

Sunday, June 2, Subway Restaurant on Route 29 across from the Schuylerville High School will donate 10 percent of all sales to the school’s For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Team.

FIRST Robotics Teams design, build, program and compete with a unique robot each year. Frisbee-throwing was this year’s official challenge. Annually, the clubs face a new trial that might involve basketball-bouncing or stacking inner tubes on posts. The competition emphasizes team cooperation in the building stage and even at the competitions.

Nonprofit FIRST designates official part kits, which include batteries, servos, motor controllers and joysticks. Teams must buy the kits, as well as pay for insurance, entrance fees and travel expenses. Entrance fees start at $5,000 per team per event, which is why grants, sponsors and donors are so key to this high school club.

“If you are in the Schuylerville area, please stop by our local Subway and help support Schuylerville Robotics Team,” said club secretary and treasurer Diane Tompkins. “Thanks to everyone for the continued help.”

--Jennie

 

North American Sports Group, an integrated sports marketing and event agency, will hold a Big Lawn Party Sunday, May 26 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Saratoga Polo Grounds. Shuttles cost $10 a ride; each car will cost $20.

The community festival features a barbeque, a beer garden, American Eagle beer, hand-rolled cigars, lawn games and live music from the Ill Funk Ensemble. 

The company owns and operates small side sports properties, including Hoop It Up 3x3 Basketball Tours, Hoop It Up Varsity, Roundball Ruckus 3x3 Basketball Leagues, Kick It 3v3 Soccer Tournaments and 3v3 Soccer Leagues, Let It Fly 4on4 Football Tournaments, Rock The Box 5on5 Lacrosse, Sticks Up! Lacrosse Tournaments and U.S.A. Sports Festivals: A Celebration of Sports and Community.

For more information, call 232-5888.

--Jennie

Early next month, a new accessory boutique will open on Broadway. Lola will feature high-end accessories such as scarves, hats and jewelry for a reasonable price.

Owner Megan Druckman is hosting an exclusive preview party on the evening of Thursday, June 13, two days before her grand opening on the 15th.

A Capital Region native, Druckman worked at Bloomingdale's in New York City as a buyer for seven years and has recently returned to the area to fulfill her dream of opening her own shop. Check out Lola’s Facebook page to preview some of the products: https://www.facebook.com/LolaAccessoryBoutique?ref=ts&fref=ts.  


--Jennie Grey

 

The Giddy Up Express, a 42-passenger bus, is coming to the Capital District this summer. Owner Traci Cornwell’s new business will transport people from Albany (the Albany Marriott and the Desmond Hotel) to Saratoga Springs (downtown Saratoga and the Saratoga Race Course) throughout the high tourism season at an affordable price. The bus will run several times throughout the morning, day and evening, bringing people back and forth safely to prevent the risk of drinking and driving.

The remainder of the year, the bus will be used for special events and private bookings.

Call 334-3444 or e-mail tcorn1@gmail.com. 

--Jennie

 

East Elm Interiors, an interior design and home staging firm, recently relocated from Glens Falls to 62 Church St. The firm, founded by Chris Liberty and Shelly Walker in 2007, serves clients throughout the Capital Region and the Adirondacks, offering residential and commercial interior design services, including custom window treatments, outdoor living area design, new home construction material selection, kitchen and bath remodeling choices, and home staging services.

“We are very excited about our move to Saratoga. Our new office is light and bright, and fun to go to every day,” Liberty said.

Walker added, “We have always loved Saratoga, and we wanted to be a part of the excitement of the city. It is also a more central location for us.”

Visit www.eastelminteriors.com, call 306-6783 or e-mail info@eastelminteriors.com.

--Jennie

Hattie’s Restaurant at 45 Phila Street will be holding its annual Crawfish Festival Monday, May 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year, the offerings will include fresh crawfish by the pound, Hattie’s famous fried chicken, sausage and okra gumbo, and peel and eat shrimp. Hattie’s  has the Capital District’s largest selection of Louisiana beers from which to chose and will be launching its new summer drink menu, which includes innovative drinks such as the fresh mint margarita, island limeade and firewater punch made with cherry moonshine. The Garland Nelson Ensemble will once again provide entertainment.

“We look forward to this day every year,” says Hattie’s chef and owner Jasper Alexander. Alexander has the crawfish flown in fresh from a Louisiana company with which he has been doing business for years. “That company has the freshest products and is wonderful to work with. They love that we do this event ‘up North.’”

 No reservations are necessary. Call 584-4790 for more details.

Hattie’s Restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hattie’s Chicken Shack in Wilton is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. See www.hattiesrestaurant.com and www.hattieschickenshacks.com.

Hattie's has been a Saratoga institution since 1938. This year marks Hattie’s 75th anniversary. In addition to Hattie’s original restaurant on Phila Street, the Alexander family also operates Hattie’s Track Shack at the Saratoga Race Course and a quick service restaurant in Wilton. Hattie’s has achieved national recognition with features in “The New York Times,” “Gourmet Magazine,” “Food and Wine,” and other prominent publications. In 2006, Hattie’s Restaurant was featured on the Food Networks’ “Throwdown!” with Bobby Flay.

--Jennie

 

The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) will recognize six innovative success stories from the Capital Region at the 17th annual Technology Innovation Awards luncheon, to be held June 26 at the Albany Marriott in Albany. The luncheon will begin at noon. The event will be emceed by former CBS6 Anchor and Business Editor Jack Aernecke. 

CEG is the leading economic development organization in New York’s Tech Valley and serves as the Capital Region’s designated Regional Technology Development Center (RTDC). A private, non-profit, membership-based organization, CEG drives economic growth by working with partners in business, government, and education on strategic initiatives to grow local companies, attract new industry and investment, and prepare communities for future growth. 

The Technology Innovation Awards attract more than 300 business leaders and professionals from Tech Valley. The awards honor the region’s most innovative and growth-oriented companies and individuals, and recognize the convergence and diversity of technology industries making great strides.

Being honored this year are: Etransmedia Technology, Healthcare Information Xchange of New York (HIXNY), Dean Bela L. Musits of the School of Management at Union Graduate College, Tech Valley Center of Gravity, Transfinder and WhoSay.

 “CEG’s annual Technology Innovation Awards luncheon is an opportunity to recognize innovative achievements taking place in our region, and to foster continued growth and success of both our companies and entrepreneurs,” said F. Michael Tucker, CEG’s president and CEO. “Innovation will drive the continued transformation of Tech Valley, and we congratulate this year’s winners for seeing that vision.”

Current event sponsors include: the Times Union (Platinum) and Blue Shield of Northeastern New York (Silver). Jaeger and Flynn Associates; and McNamee, Lochner, Titus and Williams are Bronze sponsors.

CEG receives significant financial support from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, which works to facilitate the integration of innovation and technology throughout New York’s economic development efforts, the National Institute of Standards and Technology/Manufacturing Extension Partnership and National Grid.

As the designated RTDC for the New York State’s Capital Region and one of nearly 350 MEP locations across the country, CEG is charged with assisting local manufacturing and technology companies generate new sales, create stronger operational infrastructure, and overcome barriers to growth.

Registration for the event will open next week. Call Andrea Swank at 465-8975, ext 250, or visit www.ceg.org. 

--Jennie

 

Although Tango Fusion Dance Company has performed and taught in the Saratoga area for the past six years, May 23 will be the celebration of the first-year anniversary of its official studio. During the past year, the studio has doubled in size to serve 70 adult students, offer group classes for Lake Avenue Elementary students, give professional shows and have a thriving business in local schools’ educational programming.

Join Diane Lachtrupp and Johnny Martinez as they host an evening of dance at The Mine Nightclub, 388 Broadway, to express their gratitude for all the support they have received from the community. There will be performances by Tango Fusion Dance Company members, including Richard Jones, Terry Julius, Arlette Meader, Debra Otto-Jones and Juan Soler. The event begins at 7 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

--Jennie

 

Willow Marsh Farm Store at 343 Hop City Rd., Ballston Spa, is holding an official ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony this Saturday, May 18 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The actual ribbon-cutting by the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County officials will start at 3 p.m., and be attended by local officials and agricultural community members. The event is free and open to the public.

The Willow Marsh Farm Store will offer its signature raw milk, yogurt and cheeses; Angus beef; free-range chicken; farm-fresh eggs; baked goods; vegetables; and a multitude of local products.

Store owner Chuck Curtiss is a fifth-generation farmer. Willow Marsh Farm comprises more than 130 acres of soon to be permanently protected farmland. The dairy herd consists of more than 50 animals. The beef and veal herd includes 40 animals; plus, there are 10 sheep.

The opening event will include produce samples from local product vendors 3P’s and a Chick (hummus), Battenkill Farms, Berrylicious Bouquets, Primo’s Italian Marinara and Sundae’s Best Hot Fudge as well as natural garlic spreads, homemade granola, maple syrup and more.

There will free food and a wine tasting courtesy of the Saratoga Winery. Fun activities for children are planned as well.

Curtiss said the new store has been a long time coming.

Curtiss’s wife and co-owner, Darlene, expresses special recognition of and appreciation to Tara Nimmo of the Saratoga Winery as her source for encouragement and ideas. Darlene Curtiss said a big part of the store’s development and building over the past year was a direct result of that relationship.

 Willow Marsh Farm can be found on the Web at http://willowmarshfarm.com and on Facebook.  

--Jennie

     

 Saratoga Springboard, a group of young professional volunteers dedicated to empowering Saratoga County nonprofits has teamed up with Saratoga Mentoring to enhance community programs. Saratoga Mentoring is a program deeply rooted in Saratoga Springs that has been providing services to youth in challenging circumstances for more than 20 years.

Saratoga Springboard will host a fundraising dinner at Gaffney’s Restaurant on Wednesday, May 15. The restaurant has generously agreed to donate 20 percent of the proceeds from all dining room purchases until 10 p.m.

In working with past project partners such as Caffé Lena, Franklin Community Center and Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, Saratoga Springboard has provided signature fundraising events that the agencies themselves carry out in subsequent years.

“This year, our focus is a bit different,” said Alysa Arnold, founding member and Saratoga Springboard vice president.

The group will be working to raise awareness and establish a marketing plan that coincides with an annual appeal to the community, which Saratoga Mentoring will execute. At the same time, they are looking for unique opportunities to increase funding.

“We are so glad to have the support of Gaffney’s in our mission,” Arnold said.  

Through their partnership, Saratoga Mentoring will unveil a new logo, launch a social media campaign to better connect with the community and educate the public about its mission, with the ultimate goal of raising needed funds.

“Saratoga Mentoring is truly remarkable—the volunteers there care for the entire family unit, not just the children enrolled in the program,” said Betsy Boland, founding member and Saratoga Springboard president. “They take extreme care to ensure all the needs of the family are met. It is inspiring to witness, and I wish more people were aware of the amazing opportunities the nonprofit provides.”

To learn more about Saratoga Mentoring’s partnership with Saratoga Springboard, visit saratogaspringboard.com or facebook.com/saratogaspringboard. For reservations at Gaffney’s, call 587-7359.

--Jennie

 

Michele Martin, financial advisor and divorce mediator, has launched Divorce Agree, a business offering divorce mediation services in Malta. 

More divorcing couples are choosing non-adversarial and cost-effective mediation over traditional litigated divorce. In New York, a divorce that goes to trial can cost upward of $50,000 or more, whereas a mediated divorce might cost between $2,000 and $7,000. Mediation also affords the couple control over the divorce process and allows creative solutions to problems that might otherwise be decided by a judge. Mediation can also help couples avoid the animosity so common in divorce.

 “I believe the way a couple handles its divorce dictates the tone of the rest of the pair’s lives,” Martin said. “My ex-husband and I mediated our divorce several years ago, and today, we have a very amicable relationship and are partners in parenting our son, and I attribute much of that to the fact that we mediated our divorce. I am excited to assist couples achieve the best possible outcome for their family.”

Divorce mediation, when pursued, has a 90 percent success rate in coming to settlement agreements that keep couples out of court. Also, studies show that mediated agreements are likelier to be honored by the parties than litigated settlements. Because of this, more and more courts in the United States are ordering couples try mediation before taking their divorce to the courts.

Prior to training to become a divorce mediator, Martin spent 20 years in the financial services industry, and she holds the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) designation. A CDFA assists clients to understand how the financial decisions made today will impact their financial future.

“My background as a financial advisor is an added benefit to my clients in creating financial solutions that afford both parties the ability to remain on a solid financial footing post-divorce,” Martin said.

She offers couples a free consultation to educate them on mediation as well as the other options. Divorce Agree is located in Malta Commons Business Park, which is convenient to divorcing couples from all over the greater Capital District and North Country including Saratoga, Warren, Albany and Schenectady counties. The phone number is 813-6098, and Divorce Agree can be found on the Web at www.divorceagree.com. 

--Jennie

 

Saturday, May 18, Stewart’s Shops will have a grand opening of its newest store at 1841 State Rte. 29, on the corner of Rte. 147 in Galway. At noon, the ribbon cutting will take place. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. B95.5 will broadcast live. At 1 p.m., there will be an ice cream eating contest.

All-day deals include 10 cents off per gallon of all grades of gasoline, including diesel and buy one lotto ticket, get one free. Specials for 50 cents comprise deli dogs, single-scoop ice cream cones, donuts, hot coffee, Stewart’s 20-ounce soda, and Stewart’s 16-ounce and 20-ounce refresher drinks. Stewart’s specials for $1 off include a gallon or two half-gallons of milk, subs, sandwiches, eggwiches, chili, hot entrées and two-quart ice cream.

This will be the 330th shop for Stewart’s and will include six gasoline pumps with pay at the pump service, a sandwich station for fresh food to go, a beer cave and two restrooms.

To commemorate this grand opening, Stewart’s will be donating $1,000 to The Galway Youth Commission.

Founded in 1945, Stewart’s Shops is an employee- and family-owned convenience store chain based in Saratoga Springs. Stewart’s is known for offering milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline and other convenience items. Today, there are Stewart’s Shops located in more than 30 counties across upstate New York and southern Vermont.

--Jennie