The Russo planning to open a restaurant on Broadway got in touch with us and we have more details on the new restaurant.

Russo’s Restaurant and Bar — Italian-American eatery — is slated to open in March at 390 Broadway.

Click here to read the full story.

Common Thread Saratoga is moving their business from 55 Beekman St. to 508 Broadway, the former Nikita furniture store location, and next to Elizabeth's, which is planning to open the weekend of the Flurry Festival (Feb. 17 to 19). 

The business was located on Broadway two years ago, at 482 Broadway, and was called Saratoga Needle Arts. 

Owner Ashley Gardner said she is "very excited to capture all of the foot traffic from the City Center and the people that come to Saratoga. They didn't make it over to Beekman Street, even though I love Beekman Street."

Gardner also added that Common Thread will offer classes in knitting, crochet and spinning. They will also have drop-in classes and four "semester" classes that will be announced once every three months.

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Michelle LaLonde of Mimosa's is planning a soft opening on Feb. 3 and a grand opening from 4 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the store's new location at 489 Broadway.

The opening party will also feature a 10x10 event showcasing artwork that is 10" by 10" or smaller and costs $100 or less.

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The Saratoga Traveler has moved to a new location at 6 Phila St.

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Mohr's Service Center, at 239 Washington St., is continuing their construction for a new automatic car wash. Directly across from Clean2O. They are planning to open in March.

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For Earth's Sake has opened their doors at 120 West Ave, Suite 102, next to the Fortunate Cup Cafe. The store is bright and beautiful with a variety of selections from food and vitamins/supplements to cosmetics to skin care and more.

Erica Miller

Photography Supervisor

@togianphotog

Since Brindisi’s restaurant started looking for buyers in November, people have been wondering what might be taking its place. (Editor's note: Another hat tip to Saratoga Idiots, you guys are all over the downtown restaurant scene) 

We called Louis Brindisi to see if he had sold, and while he hasn’t confirmed the sale, it seems there may be something to rumors of a new restaurant named Russo’s moving in. (Editor's note: In a text to a Saratogian staffer this morning, Andy Brindisi, Louis' son, did confirm the sale)

Though some may recognize the Russo name from the popular Amsterdam eatery, don’t get the two confused. Amsterdam restaurant owner Mike Russo is emphatic that the Saratoga eatery will have no association with his establishment — besides the name, which he is not pleased to be sharing in the first place.

“I’m the original Russo,” he explained in a phone interview. “I own the Russo’s in Amsterdam. We’ve been here for years. It’s not the original Russo’s that’s opening there, it’s a lost family member.”

Russo did not give the name of the family member in question, but maintained that the two businesses are not, and will not be, related in any way. “They’re going to name it Russo’s, but it’s not part of the original,” he said.

Are you the other Russo? We want to talk to you about your plans, email news@saratogian.com.

Dave Zecchini, owner of DZ Restaurants, confirmed via a voice mail this afternoon that he plans to turn 384 Broadway into a Mediterranean bistro and tapas bar. (Credit goes to Saratoga Idiots for breaking this story last week)
The sale of the property is not yet final, a closing is scheduled next week. The building used to house Raina's boutique and Pizza on Broadway.

Table Hopping's Steve Barnes spoke to Zecchini who said he traveled to Spain last month for research (nice work if you can get it) and hopes to hire a chef from Spain. 

This story was just updated: We'll hopefully have more on this later today, here's the story we've got right now.

Emily Donohue

Here's an update:
The new restaurant will be called Boca Bistro (boca is mouth in Spanish, ours are watering) and might be open as early as May.

Zecchini and his wife Roslyn, who is executive chef for Forno and Pasta Pane, went to Barcelona in part to "immerse themselves in the culinary culture, to truly bring the authenticity of the food and culure to the new restaurant,” Nancy Bambara, DZ Restaurants director of operations, told us.

I drove past the building formerly known as Shoe Depot on my way to work today and saw workers taking down the sign, the end of an era.

Apparently they're doing the work because Frivolous Gal has officially moved in. Welcome to Broadway, Frivolous. May luck be in your favor, 2011 has been a tough year for Broadway's businesses.

Here's the story on the Shoe Depot closing, if you're interested.

-- Emily

UPDATE: The owner of the building, Calvi, just returned an earlier call we placed to him to say the building has not yet been sold, the sale is not finalized.

Reporter Lucian McCarty and photographer Erica Miller just got back from Broadway where there's been another business shake-up.

Raina's and Pizza on Broadway are both out -- their building at 384 Broadway may be purchased has been purchased. The owner of Raina's confirmed that DZ Restaurants is the purchaser (well, she said it was Chianti's, but of course we know that DZ owns Chianti's, Forno and Pasta Pane).

Lorri Birmingham, owner of Raina's, says she plans to move just down the street into the former home of Zola Kids. No word on if or where Pizza on Broadway will find a new home.

Someone who answered the phone at DZ Restauants, but clammed up when she realized she was talking to a reporter, said a DZ is planning a new restaurant for the location.

What do you think? What kind of restaurant would you like to see in that primo location on Broadway? I'm getting hungry just thinking about it... or maybe I'm a bit overdue for lunch.

We'll have more on this later today, here's the story we've got so far. 

-- Emily

Man, I hate this. We said goodbye to another business Saratogian business reporter last week. Suzanna Lourie has left the newsroom and is embarking (soon) on a new career teaching in Costa Rica.

So, until we hire a new reporter (Interested? Send us your resume!) this blog will be on a bit of a hiatus. Assistant Managing Editor Betsy DeMars and I are going to try to throw as much news as we can in here, but please bear with us.

If you've got business news tips, please send them to news@saratogian.com.

Also, you can still follow Suzanna on twitter, @SuzannaKLourie. Hopefully she'll have another blog on our site soon, chronicling her adventures abroad.


Thanks for reading,

Emily Donohue
Online Editor

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After yesterday's post about the new location of the Cupcake Lab at 510 Broadway, I walked past the Algonquin today and noticed the neighboring furniture store is closing tomorrow.

Nikita Indoor Outdoor Convertible Furnishings at 508 Broadway is closing tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 31, according to a sign in the shop window.

The owner confirmed the closure, but was helping a customer and couldn't provide more details at the time.

According to the store's website, Nikita furniture has a second location at 7 Elm Street in Oneonta, but no word as to whether that store will remain open.

We'll hopefully have more details soon - If anyone has any more info about the store closing or who might be coming in as the Cupcake Lab (Elizabeth's) new neighbor, please leave a comment!

For more information call 796-1887.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two months after Mike and Liz Phillips closed the Cupcake Lab at its tucked away location upstairs in the Roohan Realty building off Long Alley, the husband and wife team has announced a new location for the business.

According to its website, the Cupcake Lab seems like it will reopen as "Elizabeth's," when it moves into its new home at 510 Broadway, the formerly 80 West Boutique.

The Phillips' latest venture will be much more visible than the Lab with a new Broadway window inside the historic Algonquin Building.

"We have extended the ideas that made The Lab, the Lab... more on that soon," reads the statement on the website.

No opening date has been set, but an update is expected soon.

Hello there,

I’m sure all my readers out there have been too busy with the holidays- you know, figuring out how to avoid the in-laws, waiting in hour-long lines at the Wilton box stores, the usual - to notice I haven't posted in a while.

On the positive side, all that time away from the blog has led to a good list of local business updates, which I will now attempt to consolidate in this one post.

Enjoy and there's more to come soon.

SKL

Ballston Spa biz:

Apparently I haven't drive through Ballston Spa in a while because last week a few new or newish businesses caught my eye...

• A new jeweler is opening soon on Milton Avenue - near the corner of Front Street. The storefront at 53 Milton Ave., which Google Maps still shows as a vacant window with a "For Rent" sign (anyone know how often they update that?), is now boarded up with signs indicating Lagniappe Jewelers will be coming soon. I haven't been able to find out much more, but if anyone knows if Lagniappe is a local name I'd appreciate any more info.

• Saratogian photographer Erica Miller noticed the Yoga Spa at 53 Front St. (coincidence?). According to its website the Yoga Spa had opened in September and offers a range of yoga classes (hot, regular, kids, seniors) as well as some dance and fitness options. On a personal note (I can't help it when it comes to yoga) turns out Jennilee Toner, one of the best instructors I've had in Saratoga or elsewhere, manages and teaches at the Yoga Spa. Don't know how this one escaped me, but check out one of her classes or contact Jennilee at jennilee@the-yoga-spa.com. You won't regret it.
  

-   Saratoga Springs updates:

• There's a new health foods store coming soon to Saratoga's west side. For Earth's Sake, located at 120 West Ave. next to the Fortunate Cup coffee shop, was meant to open in time for the holidays, but construction has pushed the opening back into the new year. I spoke with owner Tina Bakkalapulo earlier this week for Monday's print column so be sure to read more online at www.saratogian.com or in the paper about the new eco-friendly grocery and gift boutique.

•  This Saturday, Dec. 17, Savon Studios at 64 Woodlawn Ave. will host a cut-a-thon to benefit the American Red Cross. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.and all haircut proceeds go to the Red Cross' Hurricanes and Related Storms Fund 2011. Owner Jane martuscello said she hopes to raise awareness and help the people affected by disasters like Hurricane Irene. Appointments not necessary, but can be made by calling 581-1044. Women's cuts and blow drys are $35 and men's cuts $20. Snacks and refreshments will be served along with some prizes and giveaways.