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Find Out What's Happening Locally In Our Albany NY News Roundup

From new business openings, to exciting updates about events, to major community announcements, our Albany NY news roundup has you covered. Check out what's going on in the city and Capital Region!

New Bakery Brings Sweet Delights to Downtown Troy

devil's food cake squares topped with milk chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream
Photo provided

Luis Medina, a seasoned baker with a background in sustainable food systems, has turned his longtime dream into a reality by opening a new bakery in downtown Troy on October 5.

The Flour Bender Bakeshop offers a unique, high quality selection of baked goods made from scratch using simple, locally sourced ingredients.

Patrons will find an array of cakes, cookies, pop tarts, and standout items like the rich devil's food cake squares topped with milk chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream, pictured above.

The positive reviews are already rolling in on Google, with commenters saying, "Baked goods tasted excellent!" "Loved the coffee and the carrot cake! Great customer service and atmosphere!" and "And every cookie is AMAZING but I especially enjoyed the lemon ricotta and the salted chocolate chunk!"

Sources:

Celebrate the Season at The Balloonary's Festive Pop-Up Shop

balloon animal napkins and other party supplies like cups and plates

Get ready for the holidays in the Capital Region as The Balloonary opens its new pop-up shop at Stuyvesant Plaza on October 28!

The Balloonary is a local women-owned business in Albany founded by Nina Young and Stephanie Turcotte. Known for their creative balloon designs, the store will be offering a fun selection of hosting gifts, party supplies, balloon décor, holiday gear, pantry items, unique glassware, and more.

After making your holiday purchases, be sure to stop by the gift-wrapping area for that final touch!

The shop, located between Lola Saratoga and Warby Parker, is sure to become a must-visit spot for holiday shoppers at the Plaza. It will be open through December 31, 2024.

Mannix Marketing Earns Spot on US Search Awards Shortlist for eCommerce PPC Excellence

PPC notepad next to a computer keyboard

Mannix Marketing, which manages Albany.com and other regional tourism websites, is excited to announce that it has been nominated for the US Search Awards shortlist in the “Best Use of Search – Retail/eCommerce (PPC)” category.

This recognition highlights the successful Google Ads campaign executed for Rejuva Minerals, a leading US-based clean beauty brand.

Since 2013, Mannix Marketing has earned four US Search Awards and been shortlisted an outstanding 12 times. The team is thrilled to have another chance to win at this year’s October ceremony.

Rejuva Minerals Campaign Highlights

The Mannix Marketing team—Shannon McNeal, Alexis Connor, Sasha Matejka, and Daniel Rahimzadeh—worked closely with Rejuva Minerals to increase traffic and sales in the competitive beauty market. The results speak for themselves:

  • 6.7:1 ROAS with Google Ads
  • 750K Ad Impressions
  • $120K in Revenue from Ads

Senior Digital Marketing Strategist Shannon McNeal shared, "I am thrilled about the possibility of winning a US Search Award, and above all, I am happy that we could drive great results and make a positive impact on their business with our Google Ads campaign.”

Mannix Marketing looks forward to the award ceremony on October 30th and is proud to continue delivering exceptional campaigns.

Innovative Cannabis and Nail Salon Combo Opens in Schenectady

green nails and cannabis

Schenectady has welcomed a unique and innovative business with the opening of the nation’s first combined cannabis dispensary and nail salon.

Cussin’s Cannabis and Nail Salon, founded by Cori Rodriguez, officially opened its doors on August 16 at its new location at 2075 Central Avenue, following a move from its previous spot on Jay Street.

Rodriguez, who has nurtured her business for the past five years, has now expanded to include cannabis offerings alongside her salon services. She describes the new establishment as more than just a place to get your nails done or purchase cannabis but as a “sanctuary for the mind and spirit,” where luxury and relaxation meet.

The dispensary features a curated selection of adult-use THC products sourced from New York State, with a special emphasis on supporting minority and women-led farms and cultivators.

The grand opening event on August 16 included an outdoor celebration, music by DJ TruMastr, giveaways, and a preview of the salon’s offerings. Cussin’s Cannabis and Nail Salon is now fully open and ready to serve the community with its blend of services.

Source: News10

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