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!
Experience the Magic! Altamont Fairgrounds to Host Stunning Holiday Lights Event
Are you ready for another magical holiday season in the Capital Region? Beginning November 22nd and continuing through January 4th, Family Entertainment Live will present the Magic of Lights at the Altamont Fairgrounds in Altamont, NY!
Magic of Lights is a stunning drive-thru holiday lights experience in which visitors can immerse themselves in a dazzling display of more than 2 million LED lights, offering a memorable outing for families and friends alike.
As you drive through the decorated fairgrounds, you will be treated to dozens of towering steel-framed displays, intricately designed and animated with vibrant colors. Each display is hand-built using over 10 miles of steel and LED lighting, with some displays as tall as 32 feet!
Look forward to seeing the larger-than-life Holiday Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas, and more.
The event will run nightly from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday, with extended hours until 10:00 PM on Fridays and weekends. Tickets are available now at a special Santa Saver price, making now the best time to plan a family outing or festive gathering to experience the magic firsthand. Ticket prices are per carload.
Don't miss out on this spectacular new addition to the Capital Region’s holiday season! Check out https://magicoflights.com/ for more details.
The Return of Whiskey Pickle
Whiskey Pickle is reopening in Troy on November 16!
After announcing their closure in late September, the whiskey-centric bar received an outpouring of support from the community, and according to a Facebook post, they were able to "pass the torch" to someone who could keep the Pickle alive, Jamel Mosely.
They're celebrating with a grand reopening party on November 16, and a disco party on the 17th. Check out their Facebook page for details.
Celebrate the Season at The Balloonary's Festive Pop-Up Shop
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.
New Bakery Brings Sweet Delights to Downtown Troy
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:
- News 10ABC: New bakery opening in downtown Troy
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.
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
Fuel Your Flight: Uncommon Grounds Opens at Albany International Airport Soon
Travelers flying through Albany International Airport will soon have an enticing new dining option to savor.
Uncommon Grounds, the beloved local coffee shop chain, is set to open a new location airside on the way to Concourse A. Known for its fresh bagels, expertly brewed coffee, and welcoming atmosphere, the shop will be a fantastic addition for those seeking a caffeine fix before or after their flights.
Renovations are currently underway as Uncommon Grounds prepares to take over the space formerly occupied by Wolfgang Puck Pizza.
With established spots in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Albany’s University Plaza, Stuyvesant Plaza, and Queensbury, the coffee chain continues to delight fans across the Capital Region. The Albany airport concession will join a lineup of popular eateries including Starbucks, Dunkin', and Chick-fil-A, bringing more options for busy travelers looking to fuel up on the go.
Stay tuned for more updates as the opening date is announced, and get ready to enjoy your favorite bagels and brews the next time you're at the airport.
Source: News 10 ABC
New Hyatt House Hotel Set to Join Mohawk Harbor’s Growing Lineup
Schenectady’s Mohawk Harbor is continuing its expansion with a new addition: the Hyatt House Hotel! Construction is already underway for this five-story, 75,000-square-foot hotel, set to open in fall 2025.
Positioned on the north side of the Harbor, the hotel will be next to the Mohawk Harbor Events Center, which is also in progress.
The Hyatt House will feature 100 rooms, an indoor pool, an expanded fitness center, a bar with an outdoor patio overlooking the waterfront, and a 50-person meeting room. This new hotel will join the Courtyard by Marriott and the Landing Hotel at Rivers Casino and Resort, further establishing Mohawk Harbor as a destination for both visitors and residents.
In a press release, David Buicko, CEO of the Galesi Group, noted, “We are pleased to be working with Community Bank to add this latest attraction to our successful waterfront development in Schenectady.”
Continued Growth for Mohawk Harbor
This Hyatt House project is part of the ongoing efforts to enhance Schenectady’s waterfront.
The adjacent Mohawk Harbor Events Center, a $50 million multi-purpose venue, broke ground in May 2024 and will include a 2,200-seat ice hockey rink that can expand to hold 3,600 attendees for trade shows, conventions, and other events. It's expected to be ready in time for Union College to play their home games in 2025-2026.
Readers can look forward to seeing how these developments shape Mohawk Harbor as construction progresses over the next year.