If you didn’t already know this, Saratoga Living is owned by Empire Media Network, the same parent company as Capital Region Living. In other words, the SL and CRL teams are one and the same. While on the Saratoga side, we’re hard at work on Saratoga Living After Hours stories and prepping for the release of our winter “I Do!” Issue, on the Capital Region side, we’re in the final days of voting (the survey closes January 7) for our annual Bestie Awards, a region-wide survey of people, places, food and drink whose results are published in the spring and summer issues of Capital Region Living. And by “region-wide” we really mean “region-wide”—Saratoga’s included.
Voting for the 2024 Bestie Awards is open now through Sunday, so there’s still time to cast your votes for your favorite local businesses. In the past, we’ve seen businesses that get behind the cause and “promote the vote” do very well when all is tallied up; a social media post or e-blast asking your followers to vote for your business can go a long way. Just look at the Spa City’s Bocage Champagne bar, which last year took home six—SIX—Besties in the categories of Best-Kept Secret, Best Wine Selection, Best Bartenders, Best Tapas/Small Plates, Best Romantic Dining and Best New Restaurant.
Other Saratoga-based winners defending their title include Uncommon Grounds (Bagels), PJ’s Bar-B-QSA (BBQ), Hattie’s (Fried Chicken), Cantina (Margarita), 9 Maple Avenue (Martini), Cardona’s Market (Meatballs, Sandwich/Sub), Druthers Brewing (Pretzel With Pub Cheese), Saratoga Winery (Wine/Winery), Panza’s (Saratoga Restaurant), The Children’s Museum at Saratoga (Children’s Museum), SPAC (Concert Venue, Outdoor Summer Venue), Balzer and Tuck Architecture (Architecture Firm), Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness (Day Spa), Wesley Senior Solutions (Home Healthcare), Sensory Six (Interior Designer), Morgan Campbell Photo (Photographer), Julie Bonacio (Real Estate Professional), Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel (Menswear), Saratoga National Golf Club (Golf Course) and The Inn at Saratoga (Inn). Many more were finalists in a wide range of categories.
And there are plenty of opportunities for other Saratoga businesses to become first-time Bestie winners. Allerdice Ace Hardware could usurp Guilderland and Slingerlands’ Robinson’s Ace Hardware for best Hardware Store, Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor could take the Liquor/Wine Store crown from Albany’s Empire Wine, and 15 Church could nudge out 677 Prime in the Fine Dining category. But Saratoga businesses will only get the regional respect they’re due if the people who love them do something about it. Cast your votes for the 2024 Bestie Awards here.