Are you known for anything special? Yes! We have unique, high-end, interesting merchandise, fabulous displays and terrific prices. Our selection is extraordinary and we offer a welcoming upbeat atmosphere. Our volunteer staff is the heart of our operation and if you just ask us for something in particular, we might just have what you are looking for!

What do you like most about this business? Getting to know the wonderful customers, donors and consignors and watching customers get excited from their unique purchase. Our main focus is to continually support Saratoga Hospital and the community so the circle of giving speaks for its’ self.

We really do get an awesome variety of merchandise and it truly creates a fabulous shopping experience…that’s a lot of fun!
What is your biggest challenge? Keeping up and maintaining a smooth flow to present new and exciting merchandise everyday. We’re busy and always want to make sure our merchandise is different and fresh.

What do you want the community to know about you? Our merchandise totally ROCKS! We accept donations any day we are open ’til 5pm and our hours of operation are Tues – Sat 11am-6pm.

Anything Else? Stop by and “Treasure Hunt” at Treasures. Where else can you get a fabulous find and donate your things all in one stop? We say “If you can’t find it at Treasures, you don’t need it!”

The corporation was in negotiations with the previous owner to acquire the facility that did not result in a deal. When it ended, Rich and Frank kept negotiations moving forward independently. Parillo and Sheldon took over operations in May of 2008 and have been planning this project since before that date.

Q: Are you known for anything special? Lots of things, as we have recently finished a complete makeover. The bowling center is now a family entertainment center offering bowling, Ballocity (softball play area), bumper cars, a huge redemption arcade and the “End Zone” sports pub and restaurant.

The renovation started last October and will complete with a grand opening June 11-13. Prior to the renovation, if you were not a bowler, you probably would have visited the center, but now you will have the time of your life without even touching a bowling ball.

This is the place for an all-inclusive children’s birthday party. There are also lanes available daily with special pricing.

The End Zone sports pub offers specials Sunday through Wednesday, including Kids Eat FREE on Wednesday. You really have to see this place to believe it!!!

Q: What do you like most about your business?Bowling really is for everyone: kids to seniors! It is social and competitive and we are proud to claim “we sell fun!”.

Its also incredibly rewarding to be LIVIN’ THE DREAM having set and achieving the goal of family fun center ownership.

Q: What do you feel is your biggest challenge?Changing the perception of what people think of when they hear bowling. The sport and our place has truly become a family destination.

Q: What do you want the community to know about you?We are thrilled to be part of such a wonderful community and invite everyone to our open house! Bowl for FREE, register to win prizes and enjoy other extras such as live music and balloon art.

Owner Name: Frank Parillo and Richard Sheldon
Business Name: Saratoga Strike Zone
Address: 32 Ballston Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY.
Phone: 518-584-6460
Website: www.saratogastrikezone.com

My formal education is in Occupational Therapy, however I am a very passionate organic gardener and always wanted my own business. It was a dream of mine until I was prompted into action one day walking my children in a wagon around the block. I noticed that the DPW had spray painted above each storm drain “Discharges to Stream”, which is the Kayderosseras Creek, and right next to the drains were the little yellow signs put by chemical lawn care companies. It was a light bulb moment so to speak for me. The following spring I launched Green Conscience Organic Lawn Care. For the next four years that followed, I truly enjoyed working with people on caring for their land and making a difference in the way they approached landscaping.

I expanded to Green Conscience Home & Garden because I saw a greater need for products that would create not only a non-toxic landscape but also a non-toxic interior. By having the retail store I can offer the whole spectrum of goods and services, as well as have a platform for the education that is the necessary first step in many cases. Throughout my career, either as an occupational therapist, lawn care operator, or store owner, my passion is educating and inspiring people to make better choices for themselves and the environment.

Are you known for anything special?
We are a one stop shop for people who are interested in a lifestyle of health and sustainability. We carry non toxic, zero VOC paint, plaster, flooring, counter tops, beds and mattresses, organic fertilizers and soil amendments, energy saving products like low flow showerheads, tank-less water heaters and insulation. We also carry unique gift items from local artisans.

What do you like most about your business?
When I am able to help someone with a problem, providing not only a solution to their problem, but piece of mind that comes from making the right choice. I also love when I offer ideas that they never considered and they have a light bulb moment of their own!

What is your biggest challenge?
I feel my biggest challenge is overcoming the myths associated with green building supplies. Often people have preconceived notions that they have to sacrifice performance when they purchase something that is green or pay a “green” premium. While some items are more expensive, most products or categories have a range of prices that fit most people’s budget.

What else do you want the community to know about?
These eco-friendly products will help create healthier environments for ourselves and our children that will sustain well being. Most standard building and interior materials contribute to chronic conditions such as allergies and asthma, and their outgasing can make us sick. On a larger scale, the use of such products will promote sustainable behavior that will better conserve the planets resources. We are committed to educating people about healthy and sustainable lifestyles so we have one or more presentations at the store each month. People can sign up for my newsletter or follow us on our facebook page to keep up to date on our events and new product offerings.

Are you known for anything special?
We are dedicated to offering our clients the most sophisticated and technologically advanced golf instruction techniques available anywhere in the world. Our innovative technology allows clients to experience the instantaneous feedback necessary to shorten their learning curve and accelerate the learning process in a manner which is pleasant, rewarding and proven effective.

What do you like most about your business?
Increasing a person’s enjoyment of a game they love to play is most rewarding. One of the major reason golfers leave the game is that they get frustrated because they can’t get better. Playing better makes the game more fun, which makes people play more golf. More golfers playing golf means the game, and my business, will grow. It’s a self fulfilling prophecy – the better I am at helping people improve the more success I will have. I also like the fact that our facility is so multi-faceted. When I’m not teaching then I’m most likely fitting golfers for clubs, conducting golf fitness screens, building or repairing clubs, or at times even pouring drinks behind the bar.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge with your business?
Convincing people that “Indoor Golf” is real. When you play indoors you use real clubs and balls. You can play rounds or just practice your game on the range. The emphasis on making good course management decisions and executing good shots is still there. In the past “golf simulators” were not very accurate but that has all changed. Our PGA Tour Simulators are the first simulators ever indorsed by the PGA Tour and the ball flight data is the most accurate in the industry. Golf simulation technology has certainly come a long way in a short time and will continue to get better and better very quickly.

What do you want the community to know about you?
That we are committed to providing golfers of all abilities a fun and comfortable setting in which to learn, practice and play the game of golf. Our goal is to simply make the game more fun and provide year-round access to this wonderful game of a lifetime! Tark’s is also a great place for corporate events, fundraisers, parties and team building activities.

Anything else?
Our customers say we have the best burgers in Saratoga. Our new wing sauce is fabulous as well! Come give us a try!

Free Yourself Concepts is a full service Administrative and Organizational services company. Inspiration came from talking to friends, many of whom are solo entrepreneurs and consultants. They all complained that they spent so much time doing administrative and organizational work they didn’t have time to actually do their business. Seeing a need and an easy solution, therefore Free Yourself Concepts was formed. Giving you the Freedom to Focus on What You Do Best!

Q. Are you known for anything special?

My willingness to help, and efficiency

Q. What do you like most about your business?

I love what I do. Just to help small business owners be able to have the freedom to concentrate and grow their business is such a great feeling. My Client’s just know that they can pass off any task to me and know that it will be accomplished in a efficient timely manner. Its great to leave a client’s office and know that you have helped them with tasks that they feel are taking up their time when they could be focusing on developing their business.

Q. What do you feel is your biggest challenge with your business?

Trying to appeal to the “do it yourself” entrepreneurs. They are not used to asking for help and some people have a hard time with that. Therefore by time some people contact me they are beyond stressed out and overwhelmed.

Q. What do you want the community to know about you?

I try to support the local economy as much as possible. When I started Free Yourself Concepts last year I realized how hard small business owners work and I have a new found appreciation for their work and products.

Q. Anything Else?

I am constantly volunteering in my spare time. I am a Committee Chair for Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and I work with H.O.P.E. on various projects.

Ali R. Anechiarico
Free Yourself Concepts
73 Trottingham Road
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518-538-5941
www.freeyourselfconcepts.com
info@freeyourselfconcepts.com

Are you known for anything special?  When it comes to wine, our specialty is our Melomels.  The definition of a Melomel wine is “wine made from fruit and honey.”  We use grapes as our fruit and keep the entire fermentation process as natural as possible. We go straight to the farmers in the Finger Lakes to hand select our grapes and use honey from an apiary in Round Lake. The honey and pressed grape juice is married together in natural oak bourbon barrels that we have shipped straight from distilleries in Kentucky such as Jim Beam and Four Roses. Our Melomels ferment and age in these barrels for 18 months to 3 years depending on the wine that we are making. The only filtration that we use is a process called racking, were the wine is transferred from barrel to barrel, leaving the mash in the bottom. Not to be wasted; we make a wine out of the mash called Hillbilly Mountain Mash. We never add any sulfites or preservatives to our Melomels. Honey preserves the wine while adding health benefits and a nice touch of sweetness. Our Melomels are one of a kind and absolutely delicious.  

 What do you like most about your business?   I like the fact that I can work with my husband in a low stress environment. Everyone comes to see us because they want to. They walk in happy, enjoy their experience and leave happy. In turn this makes us very happy. We are both passionate about the business, we love to make people smile, and we know that this is what we want to do for life.  We laugh a lot, meet new people every day, and share our product that we have put so much time into with people who truly enjoy it.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge with your business?  The most challenging task so far is that in the wine business the paper work, laws and deadlines are multiplied. We are not only manufacturing our own product for consumption but we are serving and selling alcohol. Reports need to be submitted with payment every two weeks, also quarterly and annual reports are due for state and federal, on top of the “standard” tax obligations. We decided to delegate the responsibility to one person who is educated in the area to ensure consistency.  I guess that I am the lucky one who drew the shortest straw. However if this is the most challenging aspect to my business, I think I will survive.

What do you want the community to know about you? We are huge supporters of small local farms and businesses. We have a growing selection of local products that we get straight from area farms, bake shops, and home businesses. We want people to walk in our doors and find non commercialized specialty products, made from scratch, by hand and by real people in our community.  Some of these products include Whalen’s horseradish products and cheese spreads, Willow Marsh flavored cheddars, Saratoga salsa, Saratoga Peanut butter, Saratoga Sweets, home roasted coffee and fresh baked pies from The Little Bakery in the Grove, Maple Syrup from my families farm, maple cream and candy, and Honey from Double A’s Bees.

Anything else: To sum up our business I would say that we are driven by passion that is easy to recognize when you walk in the door. We stand behind quality products made the old fashion way, and the hard working people in our community who supply these products. We plan to be here for a long time raising a family in a family run business, and setting a good example for our community and neighbors.  And by the way, Rich is still cancer free and we are expecting our first child in February.  Cheers!

Owner Name   Rich and Tara Nimmo

Business Name:  The Saratoga Winery

Address:              462 Route 29 West

                                 Saratoga Springs, New York 12866

Phone:                 518-584-WINE (9463)

Website:             www.thesaratogawinery.com

After losing 95lbs in only 18 weeks on the Ideal Protein program, I established LiveWell ADK in order to offer this amazing lifestyle program to everyone.  I changed my life in such a positive way that I needed to share my experience with my patients and the public at large.  I am a doctor who talks the talk and walks the walk.  I find the cause of the patients negative issues and repair them instead of just treating the symptoms.

Are you known for anything special?

Making positive changes in peoples’ lives and helping my patient’s to succeed with their weight loss goals.  Listening to my patients fully and understanding exactly what is ailing them before we begin care.  Treating each and every individual the way I would treat my own parents – professionalism, respect and honesty.

What do you like most about your business?

Helping my patients and clients make positive, healthy changes in their lives.  Enjoying my patients’ success and appreciating the part that I played in it. When I arrive at the office it is always a new journey for me, between having new patients, seeing the positive results with existing patients and learning from my patients.  I go home at night and rest knowing that my patients are well taken care of and getting the positive results they are looking for.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge with your business?

I feel that the biggest challenge in my business is squashing the diet myths that have hurt people in the past.  Diets are made to fail.  Just look at the first three letters, quite negative.  If you think about it, a “diet” is with you for your whole life.  Whatever you put into your mouth, whether it’s tofu or twinkies, water or soda, that’s your diet.  My program is looked at as a life changing experience which people have not achieved in the past.  Changing society’s outlook on this can be challenging with some but even more, doubters become believers.

What do you want the community to know about you?

I want the community to know that I truly care about my patients both personally and professionally, and want them to attain the goals they set for themselves.  I give my patients the tools to succeed.  My staff coaches them on their journey to success and well being.  I personally just don’t know the program; I live it day in and day out.  This is very special to the community, for them to see me before and now … what a statement.

Owner Name:   Dr. Jonathan C. Gerber

Business Name:  LiveWell Saratoga

Address:              78B Church Street

                                 Saratoga Springs, New York 12866

Phone:                 518-306-5322

Website:             www.LiveWellADK.com

Facebook:           Gerber LiveWell

Owner Name:  Gordon Duell
Business Name:  Outer Zone Family Entertainment
Address:  82 Congress Street Plaza, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Phone: 587-8243 (TAG3)

Are you known for anything special?
Colwell Computers provides complete Apple hardware and software services. And, our custom built computers are reasonably priced, carry 2 year warranties and have performance benchmarks in the top 2% of all computers sold worldwide in their class. We also are the only area company to provide laptop power port and screen repairs.

What do you like most about your business?
Susan and Gene really enjoy the challenge of providing excellent technology and services. And being located in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs is great!What do you want the community to know about you?
Colwell Computers welcomes AMD and Global Foundries to Saratoga County. We were the only computer company quoted at the AMD news conference at the Holiday Inn. The reason is we have used AMD products for many years to build our advanced custom built computers. Although the CPU’s we have been using were made in Dresden, Germany, all of our products will now come from Malta, NY when the new Chip Fab plant opens.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge we face is providing outstanding service and products as quickly as possible. Our processes are constantly refined and improved so that our turnaround time is minimized. We have the fastest and most accurate computer service and repair systems in the region.
  

Are you known for anything special?
Each of our agents are native Saratogians and know the area and surrounding communities intimately.  We specialize in buying and selling residential, commercial, investments, horse farms and a large number of seasonal rentals. The agents on my team hold  themselves to the highest of standards and have a multitude of qualities and credentials to meet every possible need a buyer or seller could have.  Mary is an expert Staging professional, my brother Joe has been a past YMCA and Rotarian of the Year and a President’s Council Member since 2002, I myself am a New Construction Specialist, have served as a member of the Board of Realtors and have been recognized yearly by the Women’s Board of Realtors.  We educate ourselves constantly and are highly active members of the community.

What do you like most about your business?
Guiding our clients/customers in the process of making the most important financial decision of their lives. Its truly rewarding to be part of the process.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge?
Todays biggest challenge is the current economy and the effects it is having on the fluctuating
Real Estate Market, however, we are able to serve an audience that is a little different from a
few years ago in a fresh, new way.

What do you want the community to know about you?
The team has over 50 years of combined sales experience not only with Real Estate, but also
with Advertising, Restaurant, Hospitality, Airlines and Insurance.  We are a one stop shop team able to provide service and understanding with detail to attention like no other.  RealtyUSA and Team D’Agostino offer services of qualified stagers, certified listing and selling experts, even an in-house Mortgage Consultant.

Anything Else?
Team D’Agostino and RealtyUSA now offer a new program for sellers and buyers to protect themselves from unexpected job loss.  Its just another way we have found to offer services no matter what the situation calls for.