SBJ P.O. Box 766 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL
VOL. 28 NO. 01
★★ The Business Newspaper of Saratoga County ★★
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
GLENS FALLS, NY 12801 PERMIT #600
MARCH 2023
www.saratogabusinessjournal.com
Landmark Saratoga Springs Restaurant, Bass Pro Shops Plans To Open Its Newest Sperry’s, Is Sold To Yet Undisclosed Group Store In Clifton Park, Its 4th In New York State
The group that owns Sperry’s Restaurant on Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs has sold the establishment. It will remain a restaurant but new owners are as yet undisclosed.
This is a rendering of the Bass Pro Shops store planned for Clifton Park. Proposed is a 70,000-squarefoot facility at the site of the former Northstar/Mohawk Chevrolet.
BY PAUL POST Scott Johnson and partners have welcomed guests to Sperry’s Restaurant since 2010 when they reopened the iconic Spa City landmark, which had been closed for about a year. The popular eatery entertains a “Who’s Who” list of horse racing industry celebrities each summer. “Anybody who’s anybody has eventually ended up at Sperry’s,” said Johnson, an attorney and former three-term (2008-13) Saratoga Springs mayor. “It would be easier to tell you
BY CHRISTINE GRAF Bass Pro Shops, a national retailer for outdoor gear that bills itself as “North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company,” has plans to come to Clifton Park. In February, Bass Pro Shops submitted an application to build a 70,000-square-foot “destination retail store” in Clifton Park at 400 Clifton Park Center Road, the former home of Northstar/ Mohawk Chevrolet. If approved, the Bass Pro Shops Outpost store will employ approximately 100 full-time and
who hasn’t come here than who has.” But after 13 years, his group is handing stewardship of the establishment to new undisclosed owners. He declined to identify the party’s identity pending completion of the sale, but said they’re experienced restaurant owners. The sale is under contract with a closing date on or before April 15. “It’s time for me to start downsizing what I deal with on a regular basis,” Johnson said. “The restaurant was one of those things. I Continued On Page 4
Courtesy Bass Pro Shops
part-time workers. The Clifton Park location—its fourth in New York state—will feature a custom design that will pay tribute to the great sporting heritage of the local region as well as to the sportsmen and women of New York, a company statement said. Within the store will be a large aquarium and water features stocked with native fish species, thousands of local antiques and artifacts, hundreds of trophy fish and wildlife mounts, and murals depicting local scenes. Continued On Page 6
Pavilion Grand Hotel On Lake Ave. Being Chamber Of Commerce Presents ‘Restaurant Turned Into Boutique Apartment Community Week’ Showcase From March 22 to 30 A Hudson Valley-based company is in the process of converting the Pavilion Grand Hotel in downtown Saratoga Springs to a boutique apartment community called Perennial. The property, at 30 Lake Avenue, previously a hotel before transitioning to extended stay residences, was purchased in December 2021 by Aker from Prime Companies. Comprised of 48 residences, Perennial offers pet-friendly, comfortable living spaces including spacious studios, one- and two-bedroom residences and expansive penthouses. Its duplex penthouse apartments are designed for gathering, featuring open layouts with large private terraces, generous kitchens and separate wet bars. Officials said the “Perennial” name is inspired by the year-round resident, an active participant in the community and a frequent consumer of local businesses and culture. “Delivering this transition has been an exciting undertaking for us,” said Tina Ladd, Aker senior vice president. “The unique history of Saratoga Springs and the 19th century Pavilion Hotel, this property’s namesake, were inspiring elements to work with. It is our goal with all of our projects to engender a sense of community and encourage resident engagement.” Aker’s vision for Perennial is to inspire its residents to “write their Saratoga Story, embrace the city’s downtown energy, stay in the know on the new and the interesting and meet friends, collaborators and creators,” a company statement said. Perennial’s apartment interiors and common areas will receive a substantial upgrade as part of the rebranding. The existing fitness center will
This is a rendering of an apartment that will be part of the Perennial housing community. Courtesy Aker
be expanded and refurbished with new equipment; the entry lobby will be remodeled to accommodate residential living and include a café amenity; hallways will be redesigned; and the roof-top building amenity will be redesigned to include both interior and outdoor entertaining areas. Common area improvements are currently in progress and newly renovated apartments are now available for lease. To learn more about Perennial and book a tour, visit perennialny.com.
Saratoga County Restaurant Week is returning, being presented by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce from Wednesday, March 22, through Thursday, March 30. The Chamber invites Saratoga County restaurants to participate for free in the popular event. Rather than set a fi xed price menu with limited options, restaurants have the flexibility to set their own prices and menus (for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or takeout) for customers to experience and enjoy. “This event is designed to support all local restaurants in Saratoga County,” said Todd Shimkus, Chamber president. “Restaurants are still dealing with uncertainty and uncontrollable factors, such as staffing shortages, random food cost spikes, and packaging challenges. If this event can help them, then we want to make it as flexible and impactful as possible.” “Driscoll Foods is thrilled to sponsor Saratoga County’s Restaurant Week,” said Steven Donnelly, division president, Driscoll Foods. “Our locally owned restaurants are an integral part of Saratoga’s thriving community, and we will do everything we can to support them. I look forward to seeing the menus these talented chefs come up with and enjoying a great meal with family and friends. I hope that others take this opportunity to experience all that Saratoga’s restaurants have to offer.” This year, the event will include a gift card sweepstakes where no less than three lucky winners will receive prize packages of ten $100 gift cards to restaurants throughout Saratoga
County. Participants may enter the sweepstakes daily on the Chamber’s website, and winners will be selected and notified by email the first week of April. The Chamber would like to thank this year’s Restaurant Week Presenting Sponsors: Driscoll Foods, Capital Bank, WNYT, and My4. “We are excited to work with the team at the Saratoga County Chamber to bring Restaurant Week back again this year,” said Scott Heff ner, senior vice president and director of marketing at Capital Bank. “With so many of our local restaurants offering exciting and unique options, we encourage the community to come out, especially this week, and support local dining.” “We are proud supporters of local businesses in our communities, and Restaurant Week is a terrific way to extend our appreciation and partnership with the Saratoga Chamber,” said Jon Hitchcock, vice president and general manager, WNYT. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has been spearheading Restaurant Week for the last six years. “We look forward to Restaurant Week every single year – as does the community,” said Shimkus. “When we dine in or take out at Saratoga County restaurants, we’re supporting local and ensuring restaurant owners can continue to keep their doors open to serve customers for years to come.” For more and a list of participating restaurants and menus, please visit bit. ly/3YNsoXR.