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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!

Anthropologie Set to Bring Its Signature Style to Stuyvesant Plaza in 2025

stuyvesant plaza sign

Big news for style lovers in the Capital Region—Anthropologie is coming to Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany, NY! Known for its eclectic mix of fashion, home décor, and lifestyle goodies, this iconic brand is set to open its first local store in 2025.

Anthropologie, which opened its first store in 1992 in Wayne, Pennsylvania, has grown into a globally recognized lifestyle brand with over 200 locations. Its offerings range from exclusive clothing and accessories to thoughtfully curated home décor and furniture.

With a focus on creativity and individuality, the brand has built a loyal customer base of individuals who embrace personal style and seek inspiration for their wardrobes and homes.

In addition to welcoming Anthropologie, Stuyvesant Plaza has recently expanded its offerings with five locally-owned businesses: 5th Corner Goods & Gifts, Apple Barrel Home + Pantré, Union Hall Supply Co., The Balloonary, and Simone’s Kitchen. With over 60 shops and restaurants, the Plaza continues to serve as a vibrant community destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Get ready to shop ‘til you drop and add a creative touch to your wardrobe and home with Anthropologie’s one-of-a-kind finds. The store will be located on the Plaza’s north side between Peaches Café and Talbots. Be sure to follow Stuyvesant Plaza's Facebook page for news about the grand opening!

What's Happening at The Crossings?

The Times Union has reported twice on The Crossings in recent weeks, once to pass on that the Town of Colonie is discouraging Pokemon Go players from using the park to "catch them all," and the other to announce the dismantlement of the popular children's maze.

Pokemon Go is a mobile game that allows players to "catch" pokemon out in the real world. It was built by Niantic, a company that spun off of Google. One of the key players behind the creation of Google Maps, John Hanke, created Pokemon Go as a way to get kids to get back outdoors, while still enjoying video games.

Colonie Parks Coordinator Tom Breslin has reportedly stated that the Crossings is a "passive park."

Passive parks are public parks that do not condone organized or competitive events, even though the Crossings has hosted a number of 5K challenges in the past, such as the Crossings 5K Challenge that takes place in late September.

There is a Change.org petition to cease efforts to remove Pokemon Go players from the park.

hoffman family maze at the crossings

Now, the Hoffman Family Maze, perfect for kids with medium-sized shrubbery, has been removed. There are talks of replacing the attraction with something else for summer 2025.

Sources:

  • News 10 ABC: Pokemon no-Go: Popular game may face a ban in Colonie
  • Times Union: Children's maze at The Crossings Park has been taken down
  • Times Union: Pokemon NO! Colonie trying to discourage popular mobile game at The Crossings

Ophelia's on Broadway Celebrates Grand Opening

Ophelia's on Broadway has taken over the space once occupied by Red Square and the Parish Public House in downtown Albany. This new dynamic live music and event venue/restaurant celebrated their grand opening on October 10.

people standing at a concert

They're able to host live music events in a nearly 250-person capacity stage area, as their predecessors did. Ophelia's is however planning to be more family-friendly than the businesses that occupied the space previously, with a children's menu and some kid-centric events.

Ophelia's almost wasn't named as such - the original plan was for the business to be called Nanola South, serving as a second location of Nanola in Malta. Now, it's named for the Lumineers song.

Follow them on Facebook to learn about new shows coming up!

Sources:

  • DowntownAlbany.org: Capital Region restaurateur celebrates grand opening of live music and event space in Downtown
  • News 10 ABC: Upcoming Albany eatery/music venue changes name, menu

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