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!
Duncan’s Dairy Bar Celebrates Inclusion in State’s Historic Business Registry
Duncan’s Dairy Bar in Brunswick has been honored with a place on the state’s Historic Business Preservation Registry. Established in 1939 on Route 7, just beyond the Troy city limits, Duncan’s has been a cherished part of the Capital Region for 85 years.
The local eatery began as an ice cream stand and expanded in the mid-1950s to serve hot dogs and sandwiches. Eventually, it grew into a full-service diner known for opening its doors at 4 a.m. daily.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation oversees the registry and has praised Duncan’s for its longstanding commitment to the community. Now operated by the third generation of its founding family, Duncan’s remains a cornerstone of the region.
To be eligible for the designation, businesses must have been open for at least 50 years and made significant contributions to their community's history.
Duncan’s Dairy Bar joins 10 other distinguished restaurants and food businesses in the greater Capital Region recognized for their historical significance.
Source: Timesunion.com
Discover Mediterranean Flavors at Milas Restaurant & Bar in Schenectady
Milas Restaurant & Bar, the latest culinary venture from Devin and Kaytrin Ziemann, opened its doors on June 28 in Schenectady.
Located in the historic former Bank of America building at 500 State Street, this Mediterranean-inspired eatery brings a fresh dining experience to the area. It is steps away from Ziemann's other popular spot, The Nest.
Milas features a diverse menu filled with Mediterranean flavors, including dips, pide (Turkish flatbread), seafood cocktail, salads, lobster pasta, lamb burgers, beef short ribs, and an assortment of small plates like olives, scallop crudo, smoked eggplant, and lamb ribs. To explore their full range of offerings, check out the Milas website (https://www.milas-518.com/).
This new addition to the Schenectady dining scene is already making waves. Although Milas was fully booked for its opening weekend, reservations for future dates can be easily made through the Resy website.
The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 4:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 4:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Make sure to experience this exciting new hotspot and indulge in its Mediterranean delights!
Source: News10.com
Exciting News: James Hood’s Mesmerica is Coming to Schenectady, NY
James Hood’s Mesmerica is bringing its immersive experience to Schenectady, NY, at miSci’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium on August 23 and 31, 2024.
This captivating event merges the enchanting music of Grammy-nominated composer James Hood with mesmerizing 3D animated visuals curated by artists worldwide, creating a unique experience designed to relax, soothe, and inspire.
Tickets are on sale now, but with limited seating available for each performance, booking early is wise, especially if you plan to attend with a group. VIP ticket holders enjoy early seat selection, so arriving on time is crucial for the best seating.
The planetarium’s dark environment enhances the experience, so be sure to arrive before the show starts. Latecomers will not be admitted.
Promo codes are available for those interested. Families, groups, and returning guests can enjoy 10% off:
- MESMERICAFAMILY - 10% off for adults booking with children
- MESMERICAGROUP - 10% off when booking 6 or more tickets
- MESMERICASOUL - 10% off if you have seen Mesmerica before
Larger group bookings can enjoy even greater discounts, up to 20% off for groups of 50 or more. These discounts are automatically applied during checkout.
With free parking, nearby dining options, and convenient transportation, this event promises to be as accessible as it is memorable.
Source: Mesmerica
Nerdy By Nature Host Grand Opening in Troy After Relocating From Crossgates Mall
Nerdy By Nature, the Capital Region's only metaphysical and curiosities shop, celebrated its Grand Opening in Troy with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 2. The shop reopened after having relocated from Crossgates Mall to this new Troy location at 99 Ferry St.
In an interview with News 10 ABC, co-owner Matty Dwyer said that this new location will help to create a "way more fully realized version" of what they were able to do in the Crossgates Mall location.
The shop sells unique products, including bone art, obscure art, crystals, high-end bone jewelry, and much more. The one-of-a-kind shop is inclusive and encourages anyone and everyone to stop in and see what it has to offer.
The shop is open from Wednesday to Sunday and has varying daily hours.
Source: News 10 ABC
Troy-Based Vegan Startup Imposter Food Expands Its Reach
Exciting new developments are happening in Albany’s food scene, especially for vegan lovers. Troy-based startup Imposter Food has recently launched its innovative plant-based products in grocery stores.
The company has stocked its vegan mozzarella sticks, mozzarella shreds, and jalapeño bites in 15 grocery stores and co-ops, with plans to expand to 60 more locations. Key retailers in the Capital Region now offering these products include Honest Weight Food Co-op, Capital Roots, Franklin Square Market in Saratoga, and Niskayuna Co-Op.
Founded in 2020 by Ryan Feiner, Imposter Food addresses a unique niche in the plant-based market. The company’s products are now featured in around 100 restaurants and food service operations, including popular spots like DeFazio’s Pizza, Naughter’s, The Ruck, and Donna’s Italian.
Sales have steadily increased each month, supported by expanding distribution partnerships with U.S. Foods, Black River Produce, and others, aiming to saturate the East Coast market.
Imposter Food plans to expand its reach into major markets like Boston and New York City. Feiner is also set to maintain a consistent presence at the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market and is collaborating with Lidia’s Empanadas to develop a vegan empanada product featuring Imposter Food cheese.
With these strategic initiatives, Imposter Food is poised to become a staple in the vegan food market in Albany and beyond.
Source: Bizjournals.com
Blend & Brew in Downtown Albany Celebrates Grand Opening
Blend & Brew, a juice bar located in the Omni Building at 54 State Street, hosted its grand opening ribbon-cutting on July 31. The juice bar initially opened its doors with its soft opening back in May.
The shop offers fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, acai bowls, sales, coffee, snacks, and more. The menu options provide fresh ingredients and a fresh new experience for customers.
Owner Samer Akhed has owned and operated juice bars in New York City for over 30 years before settling in Albany and opening Blend & Brew.
Blend & Brew is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Stop by and see what it has to offer!
Source: News 10 abc
Innovative Cannabis and Nail Salon Combo Opens in Schenectady
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 unique blend of services.
Source: News10
Discover the Magic of the Autumn Glow Festival at Mabee Farm
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of enchanting light and cultural wonder at the Autumn Glow Festival! From September 6th to November 3rd, Schenectady will host this magical event, bringing the vibrant traditions of Chinese lantern festivals to the Capital Region.
With over 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns, each one tells a unique story, showcasing the artistry of skilled artisans with over 20 years of experience.
The Autumn Glow Festival offers a captivating night walk with lanterns illuminated by modern LED lights. Crafted with traditional Chinese silk cloth and steel wire, the lanterns transform the Mabee Farm Historic Site into a whimsical wonderland.
Beyond the stunning lantern displays, the festival promises a variety of activities to satisfy every visitor.
Enjoy live performances, savor seasonal food and drinks, and let the little ones jump to their hearts’ content in the bounce house. Don’t miss the sugar painting demonstrations, dinosaur rides, and the lighted scarecrow competition featuring creations from local artists.
This unforgettable experience is perfect for families and friends looking for a memorable fall outing. The festival runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM, with the last entrance at 9:00 PM. Please note that there are blackout dates on select Saturdays.
Tickets can be purchased at autumnglowfestival.com.
Source: Mabee Farms Historic Site