Saratoga Springs’ longtime diner, an old-fashioned place with wood paneling at 74 West Ave., is celebrating 54 years in business. The menu offers hearty breakfasts, traditional American fare and comfort food, along with Canadian specialty poutine, a concoction of French fries, cheese curds and gravy.

“It’s an honor to carry on such a Saratoga tradition as this restaurant,” said owner Jean Pierre Lareau, who bought the diner from Shirley's son, Leland Bishop, in 2011. “The people we have been able to meet and serve, both old and new customers, have made this a rewarding experience.”

In honor of the anniversary, Shirley’s will reward its customers with specials. Shirley’s patrons can enjoy a full breakfast every day for $4.95 to $6.95. Every Friday and Saturday, children under 12 can choose from three full breakfast dishes for only $2. Seniors will receive a 10 percent discount all year ’round.

“We wanted to let our customers who make up the Shirley’s ‘family’ help celebrate our anniversary,” Lareau said.

His authentic Montreal poutine has caught on in the city.

“I wanted to bring some of my Canadian heritage to Saratoga, and the poutine has been a big hit,” Lareau said. “We had two booths at the Saratoga Race Course, and one of our two Montreal poutine trucks was at every Saratoga Performing Arts Center concert this summer. We participated in many fairs and festivals, including the Saratoga County Fair. The response was tremendous.”

Shirley’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day but Monday. Fall hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Call 584-4532 or visit Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

--Jennie

A woman-owned and -operated family practice has recently opened its doors to patients. Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwives of Malta is now accepting patients at its new office, 2911 Rte. 9 in Ballston Spa.

Maggie Caiazza, APRN-BC, ANP, FNP, and Kathy Murphy, CNM, have extensive years of experience in providing quality health care to women and families. They are now teaming up to offer primary, gynecological and obstetrical care exclusively to women in the Saratoga region throughout their life cycle—from adolescence through menopause. 

“We recognize that every woman is unique, and we are committed to meeting the needs of their physical, mental and emotional well-being,” Caiazza said. “Above all, we are devoted to staying abreast of the latest treatment modalities so we can offer comprehensive, individualized care to each patient.”

Caiazza cares for such conditions as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, osteoporosis, anxiety/ depression, skin conditions, thyroid disease, sinusitis and sexually transmitted disease testing. Murphy is a midwife who has extensive experience in STD testing and counseling, contraception, preconception, antepartum and postpartum care. She also does in-hospital deliveries.

Caiazza has 27 years of experience in the health field. She holds a master’s of science degree from Columbia University and is nationally board-certified. She is a nurse practitioner for both adults and families, specializing in acute and stable chronic conditions and gynecological care.

Murphy brings 22 years of experience in obstetrics and gynecology to her patients. She is certified in Mirena and Paraguard IUD, and comprehensive colposcopy from the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. Murphy is also a certified nurse midwife and first assistant from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University.

Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives is licensed by New York state and has full prescriptive authority. Most insurances are accepted.

Patients will be seen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. To schedule an appointment, call 871-1105.

--Jennie

 

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced that Mazzone Hospitality will begin offering catering services at the Empire State Plaza, starting Nov. 23. Mazzone will serve the convention center and its seven meeting rooms, the space at the base of the Egg and the observation deck at the top of the Corning Tower. 

“Promoting New York State business is an important part of Governor Cuomo’s agenda, so we are thrilled to have this highly regarded local partner join us at the Empire State Plaza,” said Commissioner Destito. “Mazzone Hospitality has an excellent reputation for quality and service that we know will benefit those who attend events at the Convention Center, as well as those who work and visit here.”

Mazzone Hospitality owns and operates several of the Capital Region’s premier restaurants and banquet halls, including: Prime at Saratoga National in Saratoga Springs; Angelo’s Prime Bar + Grill in Clifton Park; Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia, featuring Angelo’s Tavolo; Aperitivo Bistro in Schenectady; Tala Bistro in Latham; and Angelo’s 677 Prime in Albany. Mazzone Hospitality also oversees the catering operations at Prime at Saratoga National, the Hall of Springs, Fasig-Tipton, Glen Sanders Mansion, Key Hall at Proctors, 90 State, and Hilton Garden Inn-Clifton Park.

Mazzone Hospitality owner Angelo Mazzone said, “We’re honored to have been selected for this tremendous opportunity at the Empire State Plaza. We pride ourselves on providing impeccable food and service, and will bring the same dedication to the Plaza that we display at our restaurants and other premier venues throughout the Capital Region. We’re excited at the opportunity to cater major events at the convention center – one of the most prestigious venues in the area.”

For inquiries regarding catering and employment, contact Amanda Piccolo at 374-7262, ext. 2186, or amandap@mazzonehospitality.com.

--Jennie

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods, the largest United States-based full-line sporting goods retailer, will reopen its newly renovated store at 3065 Rte. 50 this weekend.  

Nov. 10, the first 100 adults in line will have the opportunity to participate in a Mystery Gift Card Giveaway, where they will receive an unmarked Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card in varying denominations from $5 to $500, with one person winning the $500 card. No purchase is necessary. Limit one card per person; participants must be 18 years or older. In addition to the Mystery Gift Card Giveaway, the first 100 people in line will receive a free Under Armour Tech T-shirt.

     

The newly enhanced 51,000-square-foot space will include additional specialized services and hands-on customer experiences throughout the Bike, Lodge and Golf departments, including a golf simulator, a club fitting center, a putting green and an archery lane with an onsite bow technician. Bike safety inspections, custom fittings, tune-ups and assembly will also be offered. 

“We’re pleased to be opening an expanded and enhanced Dick’s Sporting Goods in Saratoga Springs, which will let us better serve the needs of athletes in the community,” said Lauren Hobart, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Dick’s. “With our unsurpassed customer service and the best equipment in the industry, we look forward to continued success in the market and to reintroducing customers to this location.”

--Jennie

 

Phinney Design Group, a multidisciplinary architecture, interior design, green building consulting and construction management firm in Saratoga Springs, celebrates its 10th year of success this month.

To thank its partners, clients, colleagues and staff, the firm is hosting an invitation-only 10-year anniversary celebration Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Saratoga National Golf Club. At the event, Phinney Design Group will unveil an abridged version of an architectural monograph, a compilation of milestone and gateway projects, an explanation of the architecture firm’s design process and the inspiration behind its work.

“We pride ourselves on exceeding the needs and expectations of our clients,” Founder and Principal Michael Phinney said. “It’s been a privilege to be involved with so many unique and impactful projects, forwarding our green efforts and changing the misconceptions about environmentally friendly development. It can be done beautifully.”

A Lake George native, Phinney first realized his passion for environmentally sensitive architecture while attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s School of Architecture.

Founded in 2003, Phinney Design Group has spent the last decade dedicated to incorporating sustainable and environmentally sensitive principles in almost every project. Known for commitment to green technologies and ecological features, Phinney and his staff of 16 professionals have created diverse spaces for municipal, custom residential, commercial and hospitality clients throughout the Northeast. The firm’s reputation continues to grow as one committed to high-quality and aesthetically pleasing buildings and homes.

Phinney Design Group approaches each project holistically, and provides consistent interaction and communication with its clients throughout the entire design and construction process. Much of the firm’s focus is on sustainable and environmentally sensitive construction methods serving residential, commercial and hospitality markets.

The Phinney Design Group portfolio includes Lake George’s Sagamore Resort, the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Saratoga Race Course, the Bio Building at the Wild Center/Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, Mohonk Mountain House, Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch on Lake Luzerne, Local Union 773 and countless private custom residences. Phinney Design Group even designed its own office space on Beekman Street.

The firm has been honored with a number of awards in recent years, including the Preservation Recognition Award, Adirondack Park Excellence in Design Award, Business Review 40 under 40, NYS American Institute of Architects Merit Award and Small Business Excellence Award.

Phinney expects more interest in green building in the coming years, and believes more home and business owners will continue to explore sustainability. 

--Jennie