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Chip, Putt, Eat: The Bunker Eyes Winter Opening in Saratoga

Natalli Amato
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Chip, Putt, Eat: The Bunker Eyes Winter Opening in Saratoga

Winter nights out in the Spa City will take on a whole new meaning after The Bunker opens the doors to its new location in downtown Saratoga Springs at the turn of the year. Overlooking Congress Park, the 10,000-plus-square-foot golf simulator and restaurant will be the Capital Region franchise’s largest location to date. Bunker fans who have come to know the casino-inspired Schenectady branch or Clifton Park locale should get ready to tee up in ‘Toga: The new spot promises the quintessential Bunker experience, but with classic Saratoga panache.

“We’ve always wanted to get into Saratoga,” says Gabe August, The Bunker’s director of development. “With the history of Saratoga and the track, we’re going to blend some of that into our design.”

Turning this vision into a reality came down to finding the perfect location. “We looked at a handful of places,” August says. “We wanted to make sure that when we did go into Saratoga, we did it in a place that would set us up for success. We think we found that spot.” 

That spot turned out to be 307 Broadway, the sweeping former home of Vent Fitness on the corner of Congress Street. With two floors of action, dramatic glass doors and views to match, the location brings a sense of luxury to indoor golf. Unlike many simulators, The Bunker combines the feeling of enjoying a round of golf—and a meal and a drink—at your favorite country club with the vibe of a high-end sports bar. 

Those who want to take a swing at the fun will be able to book a tee time online, just as one would for a traditional golf course. On the other hand, foodies and cocktail connoisseurs need not worry about making reservations—with two floors and a bar on each, The Bunker boasts ample seating. 

Thrilled about no longer having to make it through the winter without golf? August echoes the feeling: “We’re extremely excited.”

Barbara D’Alessio’s Call to Post

Natalli Amato
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Barbara D’Alessio’s Call to Post

Barbara D’Alessio still remembers her first day on the job at the Washington Street post office in Saratoga Springs 10 years ago. “December 14 on a Saturday,” she says. “Now that is prime time, right? The line was out the door and in the other room.” 

Coming to Saratoga from the small village of Sea Cliff, Long Island, D’Alessio had never experienced anything quite like the Spa City’s bustling holiday rush. “Even at Christmas,” she says of her hometown, “you had five people [in line]. Nothing!” 

While others certainly would have balked at the drastic change in pace, D’Alessio thrived. A natural-born people person with a sense of humor that disarms and softens even the most disgruntled among us, D’Alessio stepped up to the clerk’s window with a smile, a joke, and a kind word—the trifecta that has marked her approach to customer service for the past 29 years. 

While such acts of friendliness are second nature for D’Alessio, her warm, infectious way of engaging with people often startles others out of their habitual ways of being. She recalls a moment early on in her career when a co-worker took her aside and told her, “You know, people actually line up and wait for you!”

“I have a following,” D’Alessio deadpans.

She jokes but it’s true. Take a glance through online reviews and you’ll find folks singing her high praises more than once. When customers see her elsewhere around town, they go out of their way to say hello.

Underneath her humor is a deep regard for connection and compassion. “Can’t you just be nice to people?” she asks. D’Alessio recognizes that with each encounter we have, we are given a choice as to how we’d like to show up for one another—and that when we choose kindness, we are cultivating our connection to our community. 

D’Alessio illustrates how simple this can be. “This lady came in today,” she says. “One letter—just to mail it out. Did she have to come and talk to me? No.” That she did made all the difference. D’Alessio is a firm believer that magic lies in these small choices and that as the holiday season draws near, we’re reminded of this even more.

Sure, the holidays mean busier lines, but that doesn’t bother D’Alessio. She looks forward to the season. “People are happier,” she says. “Saratoga is a happy place to be.”

Saratoga Living’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

Staff Report
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Saratoga Living’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

Six Saratoga store owners put their minds together to compile the ultimate holiday shopping guide for everyone on your list.

FOR HIM

KERRY FAGAN, Owner of Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel

Jack Victor Sport Coat from Mark Thomas | $995

Every time a customer tries on this coat, they say it’s the most comfortable jacket they’ve ever worn. Made from luxurious Loro Piana jersey stretch wool, it pairs great with jeans or dress pants. Casual
yet dressy or dressy yet casual is the name of the game.

Brax Trousers from Union Hall Supply Co. | $198

These casual pants are super comfortable and a great dressier version of a jean for all occasions. They come in a variety of fits, and are made with wrinkle-resistant and moisture-wicking fabrics to keep up with the active man in your life.

Lucas Sheepskin Coat from Overland | $1,595

This coat proves that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style. Supreme Merino sheepskin naturally retains body heat, making our frigid upstate winters more bearable.

Glenfarclas 17 Scotch from First Fill Spirits | $129.99

This single malt scotch whiskey is a favorite of the owners of specialty whiskey shop First Fill Spirits. It’s matured in sherry casks, which add flavors of baking spice and dried fruit. It’s the perfect cold-weather whiskey.

Staycation at The Adelphi Hotel | Starting at $250

Who wouldn’t enjoy a night (or two!) at The Adelphi? The good news is that during the winter months, the crown jewel of downtown Saratoga’s prices drop, especially if you’re looking at weeknights. 

FOR HER

HEIDI OWEN WEST, Owner of Lifestyles of Saratoga, Caroline + Main and Union Hall Supply Co.

Oliver Pluff & Co Hot Toddy Kit from Savory Pantry | $20 each

Don’t get caught without a hostess gift this season! Stock up on these hot toddy kits—complete with three spice bags, cinnamon sticks and more—and pair them with a bottle of whiskey, rum or brandy.

Dylan Thermal Knit from Spoken Boutique | $120

The Dylan thermal knit is the perfect holiday gift that combines style and comfort. It’s perfect for layering, and is so cozy that the lady in your life will never want to take it off. 

Mer-sea XO Slipper Socks from Lifestyles of Saratoga | $36

Gifts with a hidden message that remind the recipient how much you care—like these cozy slipper socks—are my personal fave. Want to go bigger? Add in the matching sweater, hat and mittens for a complete set.

Wooden Ships Knit from Caroline + Main | $125

The combo of comfy, cozy and festive makes these Wooden Ships Knits perfect for holiday gifting. With eye-catching designs and an easy fit, this sweater will bring joy to your loved one’s winter wardrobe.

FYB Personalized Pearls from Lucia | $38

Who doesn’t love a personalized gift? These delicate pearl bracelets with initial charms are easy to layer into an existing jewelry collection. Bonus: They’re not mass produced, and you’ll be supporting a second small business (in addition to Lucia)when you buy. 

FOR THE KIDS

LUCY MORAN, Owner of Lex & Cleo

Maileg Princess & The Pea Set from Lex & Cleo | $55

The Maileg collection is a best-seller at Lex & Cleo for a good reason! Children love collecting the mice along with their accessories, and this Princess and the Pea set is a personal favorite.

Brio Pinball Game from G. Willikers | $71.99

This set is definitely on my Christmas list for my nephews! A miniature pinball machine made for children ages 6 and up, it’s the perfect addition to any game closet or cabinet.

Roald Dahl Books from Northshire Bookstore | Starting at $7.99

My daughter has been reading through the Roald Dahl books for the past few months, and we are loving these ones from Northshire Bookstore. The scratch-and-sniff covers make them extra fun!

Breyer Unicorn Magic Wood Carry Stable from Impressions of Saratoga | $30

These are the perfect gift for any unicorn-loving kid. The stable makes the perfect little home for the adorable mini unicorns—six come in every kit!

Gift Certificate to Saratoga Strike Zone | Any amount

Christmas break is a great opportunity to spend quality family time together, and an afternoon of bowling is always a great time for the whole family!

FOR THE FOODIE

DAWN OESCH, Owner of Saratoga Candy Co.

Peppermint Pig from Saratoga Candy Co. | $21.99

The Peppermint Pig is our Christmastime best-seller. It’s a wonderful little Saratoga tradition that doubles as a yummy way to finish a holiday meal…and bring you luck for the new year.

Saratoga Mug from Impressions of Saratoga | $14.99

I bought this mug for a friend who moved away to remind her of her hometown. Pair it with a pound of coffee from a local shop for the perfect Spa City–themed gift.

Tuscan Herb Olive Oil from Saratoga Olive Oil | $39.90

This olive oil is my go-to for cooking. Paired with Saratoga Olive Oil’s traditional balsamic vinegar, it makes the perfect hostess gift for any foodie.

The Hot Box from Savory Pantry | $73

One of the best things about shopping at Savory Pantry is that they put together curated gift baskets for you! This one is perfect for the spice-lover in your life.

Honey from Saratoga Tea & Honey | $14

Shopping local never tasted so sweet! Honey from Saratoga Tea & Honey makes the perfect stocking stuffer for your sweetie—there are so many types to choose from.

FOR STOCKING-STUFFING

MADDY ZANETTI, Owner of Impressions of Saratoga and Dark Horse Mercantile

Rugged Earth Leather Goods from Dark Horse Mercantile | Starting at $25

It can be hard to find something for dad, teenage boys…really just men in general. These wallets are high quality, handmade and super durable. They’ll last forever and the leather only improves with age.

2024 Saratoga Springs Calendar from Impressions of Saratoga | $19.99

If you live in Saratoga, you love Saratoga. (And what’s not to love?) Support the Saratoga Springs Historical Society and the Friends of Saratoga Springs Library when you give this calendar full of frame-able photos from the Bolster Collection.

Clixo Magnetic Building Shapes from G. Willikers | Starting at $19.99

These were given to my son as a gift and we take them everywhere. Clixos are small flexible shapes with strong magnets that click together to build just about anything. They are super easy to pack for on-the-go play.

Jenny Krause Embroidered Woven Belt from Spoken Boutique | $70

Every time I wear one of these belts I get compliments. They come in so many colors and patterns, can be dressed up or down, and really make an outfit pop. Plus, they’re handmade and fair trade!

Lump of Coal from Saratoga Candy Co. | $4.99

Everyone wants a little yummy treat in their stocking, but some may not have been on their best behavior this past year. This lump of coal is a fun gift for those on the “naughty” list. 

FOR THE HOME

CHELSEA SILVER, Owner of Silverwood Home & Gallery

Wooden Ducks from Samantha Nass Floral Design Shoppe | $35-65

When it comes to floral, no one does it like Sam Nass. But her Lawrence Street shop is also a treasure trove of other goodies, including these adorable wooden ducks that come in two different sizes.

Pillows from Silverwood Home & Gallery | Prices vary

Silverwood specializes in the Upstate vernacular, always showcasing equestrian and Adirondack-inspired home goods. For the cozier seasons, a great pillow and blanket are the perfect way to transform your living room into a warm place to nest and rest.

Owl Ornaments from Vischer Ferry General Store | $13.50

At Vischer Ferry General Store, you can pick up a delicious latte and peruse their newly expanded home décor and gift room. These adorable owl ornaments are the perfect addition to any upstate Christmas tree. 

Albany Pennant from Fort Orange General Store | $29

Fort Orange General Store is a carefully curated shop in our capital featuring a cool variety of goods celebrating the area and its history. Stop in for some vintage-inspired upstate swag like this Albany pennant.

Japanese Bowls from Into Mischief Boutique | $32

Into Mischief in the Saratoga Marketplace showcases some beautiful home décor accents and fun personal accessories including trays and bowls that would go with so many home styles.

Scenes From the 3rd Annual Whiskey Night in Saratoga

Staff Report
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Scenes From the 3rd Annual Whiskey Night in Saratoga

This past Wednesday, Saratoga Living joined forces with First Fill Spirits to put on our third annual Whiskey Night in Saratoga tasting event at Putnam Place. The event kicked off with canned cocktails by Sagamore Rye and small bites by Cardona’s Market and Bella Napoli before Holly Seidewand and Charles Grabitzky took the stage, walking attendees through tastings of five bourbons and ryes. For our full recap, check out this Saturday’s Saratoga Living After Hours post.

Tim Pink’s Pack Mentality

Natalie Moore
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Tim Pink’s Pack Mentality

On a recent Wednesday morning, a small crowd gathered around the steps of Adirondack Trust Company on Broadway to watch Saratogian Tim Pink work his magic. No, he wasn’t breaking in to rob the bank, or promising to lower our ever-climbing interest rates. He was merely standing on the steps—standing on the steps in the middle of 15 unmoving dogs, that is.

For those familiar with Pink’s work, this was nothing new. Formerly known as the Saratoga Dog Walker, Pink has been walking packs of incredibly well-behaved dogs around downtown for some 12 years. His claim to fame? Posing them in notable Saratoga locales and getting them all to look at the camera for a photo. Like a still life, but with dozens of living, breathing, easily distractible canines. And 15 dogs is child’s play; Pink’s record is 46 four-legged friends in one photo.

How does he do it? The answer reveals all the work Pink puts in behind the scenes.

Pink Pup owner Tim Pink says posing his pack of dogs like this is a training exercise. “They’re practicing sharing space with each other, which, for a lot of dogs, can be a big issue.” (Photography by Shawn LaChapelle)

“We get that a lot: How are they so well behaved?” he says. “I wish I had a quick answer for you. It’s a lot of training, a lot of patience. I read the body language of the dog so that I’m always aware of how each dog is feeling.” While all the public sees is Pink and his pack walking around town or the pictures and videos his team posts on social media, the dog whisperer is actually constantly working with each pup on sitting, sharing space, duration and impulse control—all the skills necessary to, yes, get them to sit like that.

And thanks to the recent purchase of a five-acre farm in Gansevoort, complete with 12 fields and 10,000 square feet of heated indoor space, Pink has expanded his midday pack program into an all-day social club. (Interested? Don’t wait—there’s a waiting list.) After picking up the dogs in vans—a service for which doggie daycares typically charge a pretty penny—Pink and his team meet up for a mid-morning pack walk before heading over to the farm for playtime and training. Dogs are separated into three groups by size, and always supervised by staff who are engaging with and training the dogs in as well-rounded a manner as possible. “We try to strike a balance while helping the dogs live their best life,” Pink says. “We make sure they’re getting mental stimulation and getting their physical energy out, but we’re also not sending the dogs home completely exhausted so that they just sleep until the next morning. I really wanted to differentiate from calling it a daycare because what we do is so different and so extra. So that’s why we landed on calling it a social club.”

“A large percentage of my clients now work from home,” Pink says of post-pandemic life. “But they’re either like, ‘My day is so busy, I don’t have time for the dog’ or they’re smart enough to realize that their dog is a lot happier coming out and doing what we’re doing instead of sitting there and getting a little bit of attention through the day.”

That’s also why this year Pink decided to rebrand Saratoga Dog Walkers as Pink Pup. “It didn’t feel right to keep calling it Saratoga Dog Walkers when we’re doing so much more now,” he says. The name change also makes sense given the fact that Pink’s brand has expanded far beyond Saratoga; while he had social media followers from all over the country and world in the early days, his Instagram and TikTok accounts really took off following features on The Dodo and The Kelly Clarkson Show, Pink Pup now has 385,300 followers on TikTok and 76,700 on Instagram. A video of Pink petting each of the dogs in his pack from April racked up 15.5 million combined views after one pup’s head rub was stolen by the dog sitting next to him. “It was so funny to open up social media and see this hashtag #JusticeForBandit,” Pink says. “Comment after comment was #JusticeForBandit, so of course we had to do a follow-up video.” Spoiler: Bandit got the pet he deserved.

While Pink’s mission is to help the dogs he works with live their best lives, he’s also using his vast social media following to help dogs he’s never even met. “Our new merchandise initiative helps feed shelter dogs,” he says of his online shop that carries shirts, hats, leashes and other accessories for both humans and dogs. “If shelters don’t have food, they have to put dogs down. So for every item that’s purchased through the online shop, 20 shelter dogs get fed a meal. And if an order reaches 100 dogs, I’ll double it to 200. Hopefully we’ll have some sort of viral moment where people get on board with the mission, and we’ll really be able to feed a lot of shelter dogs.”

Pink is also thinking about dressing up as Santa, like he did last year, for one of his pack walks this December. He may not have reindeer, but he has his dogs. And in the Pink Pup pack, everyone’s on the nice list.

Capital Region Gives Back: Michele Jennings, Executive Director, H.O.P.E.

Abby Tegnelia
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Capital Region Gives Back: Michele Jennings, Executive Director, H.O.P.E.

Michele Jennings has always known she’s a cat lady.

After volunteering for her local SPCA in high school, Jennings worked for an animal rescue and was the volunteer caretaker of the Oklahoma Training Track’s feral felines for 10 years. When one thing led to another and she became the executive director of Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.) this year, it seemed meant to be. Now devoted full time to saving the lives of orphaned fur babies (yes, dogs, too), she was in the midst of a 20-cat crisis when she took our call.

Jennings—who has no fewer than 13 cats herself—has taken over H.O.P.E. during an unusually challenging year, when most rescue organizations are simply chock full. “We’ve seen a lot of owner surrenders,” she says. “With the horrible inflation and the cost of everything skyrocketing, many people have been hit hard and just can’t take care of their pets anymore. It’s so sad.” As an example, she points to the 15 kittens in the H.O.P.E. center, eight of which were born there. “That’s a first for us,” she says. “Usually we send all the moms to foster care, but our foster cares have been so full.”

Luckily, in animal rescue, with the bad comes the good—the stories that steal a piece of your heart that you don’t want back. Just ask Gordon, a friendly but sometimes-difficult street cat, who had spent a length of time un-adopted. Then a single mother and her autistic daughter entered the chat. “Gordon just wound around the daughter—we’d never seen him take to a child like that,” Jennings says. “We were seriously worried we weren’t going to be able to adopt him out, but he found his people and it was perfect.”

Join Michele and the nine other 2023 honorees at our annual Capital Region Gives Back event on December 6 at Putnam Place.

Capital Region Gives Back: Humberto Chavez, Chaplain, New York Race Track Chaplaincy

Natalie Moore
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Capital Region Gives Back: Humberto Chavez, Chaplain, New York Race Track Chaplaincy

The backstretch community—the stable workers who exercise, clean and care for the horses that race at Saratoga—are often called the backbone of the racing industry. But what happens when a member of that backbone needs support? That’s where the New York Race Track Chaplaincy comes in.

“It’s a unique community, because it’s very transient,” says Reverend Humberto Chavez, who this year celebrates 20 years as the Chaplain of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. “You work for Todd Pletcher today, you might be working for George Weber tomorrow.” You might also need to follow the horses and move from Belmont to Saratoga Springs for part of the year or, if you’re based in Saratoga (as 30-40 backstretch families are), to find work at a breeding farm during the off-season months. And, most likely, English isn’t your first language.

The Chaplaincy provides all sorts of support services for such workers and their families—everything from providing emergency transportation and help navigating US citizenship to distributing school supplies and performing nondenominational religious services. More than 100 people are served by the Chaplaincy’s food pantry on a weekly basis and come Thanksgiving, about 300 bags with turkeys and all the fixings for a proper holiday spread are distributed.

“People don’t see that the workers are very proud to take on the responsibility of taking care of a horse that can’t speak,” Chavez says about the community he serves. “It doesn’t tell you where it hurts, but these folks are there. And they know.”

Join Humberto and the nine other 2023 honorees at our annual Capital Region Gives Back event on December 6 at Putnam Place.

Capital Region Gives Back: Isabelle Franco, Volunteer Actor, Home Made Theater

Abby Tegnelia
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Capital Region Gives Back: Isabelle Franco, Volunteer Actor, Home Made Theater

Isabelle Franco has experienced the power of the performing arts firsthand. And she wants to make sure the next generation reaps the same benefits.

Earlier this year, Franco was at a crucial time in her life—a few years into a bright career in sales but not feeling like herself, personally. Then she auditioned for a volunteer acting role in Home Made Theater’s production of The Sound of Music. “I was in a very dark place and feeling very lost,” she says. “I had recently discovered that I have really bad anxiety, sometimes waking up in the morning crying over whether or not I’m doing the right things with my life. I’ve always loved The Sound of Music and decided to audition. I was shocked to find out that I received the role of Maria. It felt like what I did was right for me, and everything just kind of fell into place. It gave me a sense of confidence that I hadn’t felt in such a long time.”

Although Franco hadn’t acted in six years, The Sound of Music wasn’t the first time she hit the stage with the nonprofit theater company: Back in junior high, she was a pint-sized cast member of its production of A Chorus Line. In fact, children’s involvement in the plays is one of the reasons she is so passionate about supporting Home Made Theater. “Kids’ creativity needs to be expressed,” she says. “It’s what helps them figure out what they really want to do, whether it’s in theater or a corporate job or anything else. Through the use of their imaginations, they figure out who they are as a person.”

Join Isabelle and the nine other 2023 honorees at our annual Capital Region Gives Back event on December 6 at Putnam Place.

Capital Region Gives Back: Mary Beth McGarrahan, Development Director, Franklin Community Center

Natalie Moore
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Capital Region Gives Back: Mary Beth McGarrahan, Development Director, Franklin Community Center

In a city where homes regularly sell for more than $1 million and luxury condos seem to be sprouting up like weeds, it’s easy to imagine that no one in Saratoga struggles to put food on the table…until you look at the numbers from the Franklin Community Center (FCC) food pantry. 

“Every town hides its disadvantaged to a certain extent,” says FCC Development Director Mary Beth McGarrahan. “But in Saratoga, the wealth is so showy. All of the amazing cultural attractions and tourism really highlight the affluence.”

And yet, just a couple of blocks off Broadway sits FCC, a lifeline for Saratoga’s poorest individuals and families that is 40 years strong. FCC’s food pantry serves about 1,000 people monthly, its free store (which McGarrahan compares to a TJ Maxx of donated clothing and home goods) serves about 500 people annually, and Project Lift (a free after-school program for elementary-aged children) serves 130 students every school year.

McGarrahan—who says she felt immediately “at home” at Franklin when she was hired during Covid after a stint as operations manager of Universal Preservation Hall—is especially proud of FCC’s adopt-a-family program, which provides some 650 children with gifts around the holiday season. And while she loves her job, she wishes she didn’t need to do it. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could figure out as a community how to support those who are going through difficult times?” she says. “The goal for Franklin was to be out of work by 2024. I believe we’re going to have to reassess that one.”

Join Mary Beth and the nine other 2023 honorees at our annual Capital Region Gives Back event on December 6 at Putnam Place.

Capital Region Gives Back: Tom Politi, Architect, Veteran’s Time to Thrive

Natalie Moore
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Capital Region Gives Back: Tom Politi, Architect, Veteran’s Time to Thrive

In 2019, a group of friends got together with the idea to develop an affordable housing project for veterans and active military personnel and their families in their hometown of Amsterdam. No one knew where to start, but someone had an idea: They should call Tom Politi.

“I was sitting at Pete’s Tavern in New York City when I got the call,” says Politi, the founder of Politi Architecture and an Amsterdam High School graduate, who splits time between New York City and Saratoga. “I went up, listened to what they had to say, and started developing what’s now the Veteran’s Time to Thrive (VT3) housing project.”

Four years later, Politi is one of VT3’s most enthusiastic cheerleaders. “This building will be the only one in the entire United States of its kind,” he says. “Everyone says, ‘Oh, no, there are other VA houses.’ No. Not like this one.”

The difference between VT3 and other VA housing lies in the sense of community it will foster by way of a communal kitchen, computer lab, library and office space where veterans can meet with counselors to discuss the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. The idea is that the military families living in VT3’s 18 units will be able to support one another in a way the general population cannot, and in turn help disrupt the cycle of suicide, divorce, addiction and other post-service problems that plague America’s veterans.

A state-of-the-art, green housing development created with military personnel in mind that will help revitalize an area devastated by urban decay? VT3 is one battle in which everyone wins.

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