Welcome to the first half of the 2021 Besties awards! Below, you’ll find all of the winners in the People & Places categories. This year, we’re also switching things up a bit: You’ll find features on some of the winners, spotlighting the reasons why they got the most votes.
CULTURE
ART GALLERY
The Clark
225 South Street, Williamstown, MA
(413) 458-2303
clarkart.edu
The Hyde Collection
161 Warren Street, Glens Falls
(518) 792-1761
hydecollection.org
Art Omi
1505 County Route 22, Ghent
(518) 392-4747
artomi.org
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
miSci
15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady
(518) 382-7890
misci.org
The Children’s Museum at Saratoga
69 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs
(518) 584-5540
cmssny.org
CMOST
250 Jordan Road, Troy
(518) 235-2120
cmost.org
CONCERT HALL
SPAC
108 Avenue of the Pines,
Saratoga Springs
(518) 584-9330
spac.org
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
30 Second Street, Troy
(518) 273-0038
troymusichall.org
Palace Theatre
19 Clinton Avenue, Albany
(518) 465-4663
palacealbany.org
MOVIE THEATER
Scotia Cinema
117 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia
(518) 346-5055
scotiacinema.net
Scotia Cinema: One-Screen Wonder
Apparently, size does matter. The locally owned and operated Scotia Cinema, which boasts just a single screen and movie per run, wins this year’s Bestie for top movie theater. Just what makes this Lilliputian lark such a sensation in the dark? For our Bestie voters, it’s all about the experience.
First opened in 1929 as the Ritz Theater and going through a number of iterations over the following decades, Scotia Cinema, located just west of Schenectady, eventually landed in the hands of current owner Richard Adams in 1981. Although it has since been updated with digital projection and sound, it still features an old-fashioned balcony and about 300 seats—though COVID restrictions have temporarily whittled max viewership down to 50. Because of the one-screen formula, expect to find films there for a range of audiences—you’ll have to look elsewhere for slashers and salaciousness. And you really can’t beat the prices: adults get in for just $9, while children and seniors pass the velvet rope for $6. If you’re an early bird, matinee tickets, purchased prior to 4:30pm, cost $6, while Tuesdays get the $6 treatment all day long.
Throw in the ample legroom, parking and freshly popped popcorn topped with real butter, and you have yourself a Bestie-in-class afternoon or night at the movies. —Will Levith
Crandell Theatre
48 Main Street, Chatham
(518) 392-3331
crandelltheatre.org
The Madison Theatre
1036 Madison Avenue, Albany
(518) 621-7122
themadisontheatre.com
MUSEUM
New York State Museum
222 Madison Avenue, Albany
(518) 474-5877
nysm.nysed.gov
Albany Institute of History & Art
125 Washington Avenue, Albany
(518) 463-4478
albanyinstitute.org
Saratoga Automobile Museum
110 Avenue of the Pines,
Saratoga Springs
(518) 587-1935
saratogaautomuseum.org
OUTDOOR SUMMER VENUE
SPAC
108 Avenue of the Pines,
Saratoga Springs
(518) 584-9330
spac.org
Park Playhouse at Washington Park
Madison Avenue & New Scotland Avenue, Albany
(518) 434-0776
playhousestage.org
Saratoga Race Course
267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs
(718) 641-4700
nyra.com
SEASONAL EVENT
Howe Caverns Haunted Cave Tour
255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave
(518) 296-8900
howecaverns.com
Saratoga Racing Season
267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs
(718) 641-4700
nyra.com
Troy Victorian Stroll
Downtown Troy
(518) 274-7020
victorianstroll.com
SERVICES
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
The Animal Hospital
2 Rocking Horse Lane, Slingerlands
(518) 456-0852
theanimalhospital.com
The Village Animal Clinic
70 School Road, Voorheesville
(518) 765-0111
thevillageanimalclinic.com
Delmar Animal Hospital
910 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 439-9361
delmaranimalhospital.com
APPLIANCE STORE
Marcella’s Appliance Center
15 Park Avenue, Clifton Park
(518) 952-7700
560 Broadway, Schenectady
(518) 381-1957
marcellasappliance.com
Green’s
1207 Central Avenue, Albany
(518) 458-7994
greenshasgonegreen.com
Cocca’s Appliances (tie)
158 Railroad Avenue, Albany
(518) 453-6100
coccasappliancestv.com
Earl B. Feiden Appliance (tie)
Multiple Locations
earlbfeiden.com
AUTO SERVICE
S Foley Garage
5859 Depot Road, Altamont
(518) 861-8321
s-foley-garage.edan.io
Bethlehem Auto Service
62 Hannay Lane, Glenmont
(518) 426-8414
bethlehemautoservice.com
Precision Volvo Sale & Service
99 Cordell Road, Colonie
(518) 346-5581
precisionalbany.com
BANK
Trustco Bank
Multiple locations
trustcobank.com
Pioneer Bank
Multiple locations
pioneerny.com
Bank of Greene County
Multiple locations
thebankofgreenecounty.com
CATERER
Old Daley Custom Catering
(518) 235-2656
olddaley.com
Mazzone Hospitality
743 Pierce Road, Clifton Park
(518) 690-0293
mazzonehospitality.com
Saati Deli and Catering
586 New Loudon Road, Latham
(518) 783-1600
saatideliandcatering.com
CHEF
Marc Yanni
Yanni’s Too
16 Marina Drive, Coeymans
(518) 756-7033
yannisrestaurants.com
Jaime Ortiz
677 Prime
677 Broadway, Albany
(518) 427-7463
677prime.com
TORO Cantina
111 Wolf Road, Albany
(518) 949-2211
torocantina.com
Nicholas Meola
Annabel’s Pizza Company
108 State Street, Schenectady
(518) 553-0400
annabelspizzaco.com
CHIROPRACTOR
Delmar Chiropractic
204 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 439-7644
delmarchiropractic.com
Van Der Veer Chiropractic Care
1134 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(518) 783-1908
albanychirocare.com
Enlighten Chiropractic
2 Tower Place, Albany
(518) 313-6470
enlightenalbany.com
CREDIT UNION
SEFCU
Multiple locations
(800) 727-3328
sefcu.com
CAP COM
Multiple locations
(800) 634-2340
capcomfcu.org
Sunmark
Multiple locations
(866) 786-6275
sunmark.org
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Worksite Benefits
3991 NY-2, Cropseyville
(518) 326-3939
worksitebenefits.biz
SEFCU
Multiple locations
(800) 727-3328
sefcu.com
Family Danz Heating & Cooling
404 North Pearl Street, Albany
(518) 203-5035
familydanz.com
DAY SPA
Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany
(518) 489-5231
268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
(518) 306-5502
complexions.com
Kimberley’s A Day Spa
982 New Loudon Road, Latham
(518) 785-5868
kimberleysadayspa.com
Breathe Massage Therapy
48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar
(518) 621-7979
breathemassagedelmar.com
Post-lockdown Pampering
You handed Besties to beauty meccas that helped us feel like ourselves again.
When spas were given the green light to reopen last year, the backlog of appointments and rush to grab any available time slots revealed what we already knew: There was a lot of jonesing for post-lockdown pampering. After months of clumsily doing their own nails and root touch-ups, TLC lovers flocked to their Capital Region favorites, starting with Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness, whose Albany and Saratoga locations almost swept the Services category. Tireless owner Denise Dubois and her team of outstanding beauty professionals scooped up Besties for Day Spa, Facial and Mani/Pedi, wowing voters with strict safety measures that never distracted from the calming, eco-friendly experience and luxurious treatments. And Delmar beauty businesses proved to be quite the hot spots, with Laberge Massage Therapy and nearby Choices Hair Studio winning Besties for Massage and Hair Studio, respectively). —Abby Tegnelia
DRY CLEANERS
Stena Dry Cleaning
451 Albany Shaker Road, Albany
(518) 459-5944
Best Cleaners
Multiple locations
bestcleanersny.com
7 Cleaners
952 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(518) 783-0328
FACIAL
Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany
(518) 489-5231
268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
(518) 306-5502
complexions.com
Breathe Massage Therapy
48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar
(518) 621-7979
breathemassagedelmar.com
Kimberley’s A Day Spa
982 New Loudon Road, Latham
(518) 785-5868
kimberleysadayspa.com
FITNESS CENTER
Vent Fitness
Multiple locations
ventfitness.com
YMCA
Multiple locations
cdymca.org
The Hot Yoga Spot
Multiple locations
(518) 944-8534
thehotyogaspot.com
FLORIST
Samantha Nass Floral & Event Design
75 Woodlawn Avenue,
Saratoga Springs
(518) 886-9461
snfloraldesign.com
Emil J. Nagengast Florist
169 Ontario Street, Albany
Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
(518) 434-1125
nagengast.com
Flowers by Pesha
501 Broadway, Troy
(518) 272-1980
flowersbypesha.net
FURNITURE STORE
Mooradian’s Furniture
800 Central Avenue, Albany
(518) 489-2529
1758A Route 9 Parkwood Plaza, Clifton Park
(518) 694-8452
mooradians.com
Old Brick Furniture
33-37 Warehouse Row, Albany
(518) 213-2686
2910 Campbell Road, Schenectady
(518) 213-3194
oldbrickfurniture.com
Taft Furniture
1960 Central Avenue, Albany
(518) 456-3361
121 Ballston Avenue, Saratoga Springs
(518) 886-0990
taftfurniture.com
HAIR SALON
Choices Hair Studio
180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 439-4619
choiceshairstudio.com
Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany
(518) 489-5231
268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
(518) 306-5502
complexions.com
Ambiance Salon
579 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(518) 782-7560
ambiancesalon.com
HEALTH CARE/HMO
CDPHP
500 Patroon Creek Boulevard, Albany
(518) 641-3140
cdphp.com
MVP Health Care
625 State Street, Schenectady
(518) 370-4793
mvphealthcare.com
The Empire Plan
(877) 776-7447
empireblue.com
HEATING & COOLING
Family Danz Heating & Cooling
404 North Pearl Street, Albany
(518) 203-5035
familydanz.com
Crisafulli Bros.
25 Industrial Park Road, Albany
(518) 302-2947
crisbro.com
Adams Heating & Cooling Co.
2088 Curry Road, Schenectady
(518) 356-4730
adamshvac.net
HOSPITAL
St. Peter’s Hospital
315 South Manning Boulevard, Albany
(518) 525-1550
sphp.com
Albany Medical Center
43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany
(518) 262-3125
amc.edu
Saratoga Hospital
211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs
(518) 587-3222
saratogahospital.org
INSURANCE AGENCY
Worksite Benefits
3991 NY-2, Cropseyville
(518) 326-3939
worksitebenefits.biz
SEFCU Insurance Agency
469 State Street, Schenectady
(518) 786-9905
sefcuinsuranceagency.com
Murray Group
1807 Western Avenue, Albany
(518) 456-6688
murraygrp.com
LANDSCAPER
George’s Market & Nursery
240 Wade Road Extension, Latham
(518) 785-4210
georges-market.com
Traditional Landscaping & Design
16 Van Rensselaer Road, Albany
(518) 860-3596
traditionallandscapingllc.com
Faddegon’s Nursery
1140 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(518) 785-6726
faddegons.com
LAW FIRM
Girvin & Ferlazzo
20 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany
(518) 462-0300
girvinlaw.com
Martin, Harding & Mazzotti
111 Washington Avenue, Albany
(800) 529-1010
1800law1010.com
E. Stewart Jones, Hacker, Murphy
29 2nd Street, Troy
(518) 730-7270
joneshacker.com
MANI/PEDI
Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany
(518) 489-5231
268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
(518) 306-5502
complexions.com
L Perfect Nail & Spa (tie)
400 Feura Bush Road, Glenmont
(518) 432-4037
Find it on Facebook
Kimberley’s A Day Spa (tie)
982 New Loudon Road, Latham
(518) 785-5868
kimberleysadayspa.com
City Nail & Spa (tie)
98 Wolf Road #2, Albany
(518) 435-1115
citynailandspa.com
MARINA
Coeymans Landing Marina
20 Marina Drive, Coeymans
(518) 756-6111
coeymanslandingmarina.com
Chic’s Marina
4782 Lakeshore Drive, Bolton Landing
(518) 644-2170
chicsmarina.com
MASSAGE
Laberge Massage Therapy
204 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 577-5488
labergemassagetherapy.com
Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany
(518) 489-5231
268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
(518) 306-5502
complexions.com
Breathe Massage Therapy
48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar
(518) 621-7979
breathemassagedelmar.com
MEDICAL ESTHETICS
Rockmore Plastic Surgery
15 Old Loudon Road, Latham
(518) 328-3330
rockmoreplasticsurgery.com
Lucie Capek, MD Plastic Surgery & Medspa
713 Troy Schenectady Road # 308, Latham
(518) 786-1700
capekplasticsurgery.com
The Rejuva Center at Williams
1072 Troy Schenectady Road # 102, Latham
(518) 786-7004
rejuvacenters.com
PAVING/SEALCOATING
Salisbury Pro Sealers
195B Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
(518) 475-9772
salisburyprosealersny.com
Luizzi Asphalt Services
70 Tivoli Street, Albany
(518) 459-7325
luizziasphalt.com
L. Browe Asphalt Services
East Greenbush
(518) 479-1400
broweasphalt.com
PET SPA
Village Animal Clinic
70 School Road, Voorheesville
(518) 765-0111
thevillageanimalclinic.com
Pet Styles
1886 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands
(518) 439-3670
petstyles.biz
Pet Spas & Suites
1 Cerone Commercial Drive, Colonie
(518) 783-5506
petspasandsuites.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
T.R. Laz
125 Wolf Road, Albany
(518) 458-7008
trlaz.com
Hitlin Photography
48 Columbia Street, Albany
(518) 336-5370
hitlinphoto.com
Elario Photography
(518) 438-0989
elariophotography.com
PILATES STUDIO
Free Movement Pilates
500 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
(518) 275-2644
freemovementpilates.com
Pilates Principle
578 Loudon Road, Latham
(518) 783-1678
lathampilates.com
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Anthony M. Gucciardo, Gucciardo Real Estate Group
1074 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(518) 331-3785
anthonygucciardo.com
Christopher Marney,
Julie & Co. Realty
18 Division Street #314,
Saratoga Springs
(518) 348-9358
juliecorealty.com
Kyle Durni, Howard Hanna (tie)
231 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 439-2888
howardhanna.com
Marcia Murray, Marcia Murray & Associates Realty (tie)
63 Putnam Street #202,
Saratoga Springs
24 Mallard Cove, Ballston Lake
(518) 925-7115
marciamurray.com
TREE SERVICE
KT Tree Services, Inc.
(518) 588-5490
kttreesinc.com
Advantage Tree Service
772 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 944-5172
advantagetreeny.com
Mark’s Tree Service
Albany
(518) 489-1196
Voorheesville
(518) 861-8566
markstrees.com
YOGA STUDIO
The Hot Yoga Spot
Multiple locations
thehotyogaspot.com
Good Karma Studio
12 Walker Way, Albany
(518) 512-9929
thegoodkarmastudio.com
Heartspace Yoga & Healing Arts
747 Madison Avenue, Albany
10 2nd Street, Troy
(518) 512-3390
heartspacealbany.com
SHOPPING
APPLE ORCHARD
Indian Ladder Farms
342 Altamont Road, Altamont
(518) 765-2956
indianladderfarms.com
Golden Harvest Farms
3074 Route 9, Valatie
(518) 758-7683
goldenharvestfarms.com
Samascott Orchards
5 Sunset Avenue, Kinderhook
(518) 758-7224
samascott.com
BIKE SHOP
Mad Dog Bicycles
561 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 439-3669
maddogbicycles.com
Steiner’s Sports
Multiple locations
steinersskibike.com
Downtube Bicycle Works
466 Madison Avenue, Albany
(518) 434-1711
downtubebicycleworks.com
BOOKSTORE
Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza
1475 Western Avenue, Albany
(518) 489-4761
bhny.com
I Love Books
380 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 478-0715
ilovebooksdelmar.com
Market Block Books
290 River Street, Troy
(518) 328-0045
bhny.com
BRIDAL SHOP
Angela’s Bridal
501 Broadway #107, Troy
(518) 869-1848
angelasbridal.net
Azalea (tie)
3770 Carman Road # 6C, Schenectady
(518) 952-6727
azaleadresses.com
Lily Saratoga (tie)
6 Franklin Square, Saratoga Springs
(518) 587-5017
lilysaratoga.com
CSA/COMMUNITY CO-OP
Honest Weight
100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany
(518) 482-2667
honestweight.coop
Niskayuna Co-op
2227 Nott Street, Niskayuna
(518) 374-1362
niskayunaco-op.com
Roxbury Farm CSA
PO Box 338, Kinderhook
(518) 758-8558
roxburyfarm.com
CAR DEALER
Keeler Motor Car Company
1111 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(888) 600-3013
keeler.com
DePaula Auto Group (tie)
785/799 Central Avenue, Albany
depaulaautogroup.com
Lia Auto Group (tie)
Multiple locations
(855) 212-7985
liacars.com
CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
Truly Rhe
1 Broadway, Troy
(518) 273-1540
trulyrhe.com
Circle’s
Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
(518) 482-2554
circles-shop.com
Lea’s (tie)
33 Hudson Avenue, Chatham
(518) 491-5353
leaschatham.com
Evoke Style (tie)
Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
(518) 512-5240
evokestyle.com
CONSIGNMENT SHOP
Something Olde, Something New
1969 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands
(518) 474-0663
somethingoldenew.com
The Attic
3027 Main Street, Valatie
(518) 758-1274
Find it on Facebook
Fifi’s Frocks & Frills
1811 Western Avenue, Albany
(518) 869-1677
fifisalbany.com
FARMERS’ MARKET
Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market
Monument Square, Troy
(April-October)
865 2nd Avenue, Troy
(November-March)
(518) 708-4216
troymarket.org
Delmar Farmers’ Market
332 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
Elm Avenue Park (May-October)
Bethlehem Central Middle School
(November-December)
delmarmarket.org
Schenectady Greenmarket
City Hall, Schenectady (May-October)
Proctors, Schenectady (November-April)
schenectadygreenmarket.com
GARDEN NURSERY
Faddegon’s Nursery
1140 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(518) 785-6726
faddegons.com
Hewitt’s Garden Center
Multiple locations
hewitts.com
Gade Farm
2479 Western Avenue, Altamont
(518) 869-8019
gadefarm.com
GIFT SHOP
Cross Eyed Owl
3143 US Highway 9 #8, Valatie
(518) 758-6755
crosseyedowl.com
Pearl Grant Richmans
Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
(518) 438-8409
pearlgrant.com
Wit’s End
1762 Route 9, Clifton Park
(518) 371-9273
witsendgiftique.com
HARDWARE STORE
Robinson’s Ace Hardware
1874 Western Avenue, Guilderland
(518) 456-7383
1900 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands
(518) 475-9483
robinsonshardware.com
Hatchet Hardware
Multiple locations
hatchethardware.com
True Value Phillip’s Hardware
6495 Route 158, Altamont
(518) 861-5364
235 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 439-9943
shopphillips.com
HEALTH FOOD STORE
Honest Weight
100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany
(518) 482-2667
honestweight.coop
Uncle Sam’s Health Foods
77 4th Street, Troy
(518) 271-7299
646 New Loudon Road, Latham
(518) 782-5233
unclesamshealthfood.com
Four Seasons Natural Food Store
120 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs
(518) 584-4670
fourseasonsnaturalfoods.com
JEWELER
Joyelles Jewelers
318 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
(518) 439-9993
joyellesjewelers.com
Hannoush Jewelers
112 Wolf Road, Albany
(518) 715-8759
1750 Route 9, Clifton Park
(518) 616-9806
hannoushny.com
Northeastern Fine Jewelry
Multiple locations
nefj.com
LIQUOR/WINE
Empire Wine
1440 Central Avenue, Albany
(518) 694-8503
empirewine.com
Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse
9 Halfmoon Crossing, Clifton Park
(518) 688-0153
exit9wineandliquor.com
All Star Wine & Spirits
579 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(518) 220-9463
allstarwine.com
MENSWEAR
Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel
5 Metro Park Road, Albany
(518) 438-7887
markthomasmensapparel.com
Britches of Troy
216 River Street, Troy
(518) 279-2752
britchesoftroy.com
Union Hall Supply Co.
437 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
(518) 450-7025
unionhallsupplyco.com
MUSIC STORE
Drome Sound Music Store (tie)
1875 State Street, Schenectady
(518) 370-3701
dromesound.com
Parkway Music (tie)
1777 Route 9, Clifton Park
(518) 383-0300
parkwaymusic.com
The River Street Beat Shop
197 River Street, Troy
(518) 272-0433
Find it on Facebook
John Keal Music
819 Livingston Avenue, Albany
(518) 482-4405
1758 Parkwood Plaza, Clifton Park
(518) 371-4455
johnkealmusic.com
OPTICAL CENTER
Brass Eye Center
1783 Route 9 #106, Clifton Park
713 Troy Schenectady Road #135, Latham
(518) 782-7827
brasseyecenter.com
Hughes Opticians
411 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
(518) 439-4971
hughesopticians.com
DiNapoli Opticians
Multiple locations
dinapoliopt.com
SHOPPING MALL/CENTER
Colonie Center
131 Colonie Center, Albany
(518) 252-0215
shopatcoloniecenter.com
Stuyvesant Plaza
1475 Western Avenue, Albany
(518) 482-8986
stuyvesantplaza.com
Crossgates Mall
1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany
(518) 869-3522
shopcrossgates.com
SPORTING GOODS STORE
Steiner’s Sports
Multiple locations
steinersskibike.com
Play It Again Sports
952 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
(518) 785-6587
playitagainsports.com
SUPERMARKET
Price Chopper/Market 32
Multiple locations
pricechopper.com
Hannaford
Multiple locations
hannaford.com
ShopRite
Multiple locations
shoprite.com
TIRE STORE
Adirondack Tire
Multiple locations
adirondacktire.com
Grand Premier Tires & Custom Wheels
591 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush
(518) 477-4753
3361 South Thompson, Schenectady
(518) 630-5055
grandpremiertire.com
LaBarge’s Tire & Auto Service
52 Route 9W, Glenmont
(518) 436-8473
labargestireautocenter.com
TRAVEL AGENCY
AAA Travel
Multiple locations
hudsonvalley.aaa.com
Blue Skies Travel
2 Pittsfield Avenue, East Greenbush
(518) 477-4700
blueskiestravel.com
LOCAL PEOPLE & MEDIA
AFTERNOON ANCHOR
Christina Arangio,
WTEN/News 10 ABC
EVENING ANCHOR
John Gray, WTEN/News10 ABC
MORNING ANCHOR
Christina Arangio,
WTEN/News 10 ABC
MORNING TEAM
WNYT/NewsChannel 13 Team
METEOROLOGIST
Steve Caporizzo,
WTEN/News10 ABC
MUSIC RADIO
107.7 WGNA
NEWS RADIO
90.3 WAMC
LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY
Brian Cody and Chrissy Cavotta of WGNA’s Brian & Chrissy in
the Morning
LOCAL PRINT JOURNALIST
John Gray
SPORTSCASTER
Rodger Wyland, WNYT/NewsChannel 13; 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio
The Year of Essential Businesses
These businesses kept us going when we needed them the most.
There is no getting around that this year’s Besties carried an added responsibility: that of thanking the essential businesses that were there for us during the pandemic. A special shout-out goes to CDPHP and Albany’s St. Peter’s Hospital (Bestie winners for Health Care/HMO and Hospital, respectively) for ensuring our care during the crisis, and The Sentinel of Amsterdam (winner, Assisted Living/Nursing Home) and Niskayuna’s Glen Eddy (winner, 55+ Retirement Community) for protecting our most vulnerable loved ones.
Since making delicious home-cooked meals and obsessing over new hobbies like bread-baking helped wile away our time in quarantine, thank you to everyone who sold us the ingredients we needed at grocery stores such as Price Chopper/Market 32 (winner, Supermarket), and Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany, a double-winner that scooped up wins for Health Food Store and CSA/Community Co-op categories. And don’t forget Albany’s Empire Wine (winner, Liquor/Wine)–because let’s face it, vino and “quarantinis” helped keep us sane.
Animal shelters across the Capital Region enjoyed a record number of adoptions last year—who didn’t want a cute, furry quarantine companion?—and the kind people at The Animal Hospital in Slingerlands (winner, Animal Hospital) navigated safety protocols to keep everyone’s fur babies, new and old, happy and healthy. Alas, there are too many essential business winners to name them all here, but we hope you’ll read through these pages and thank them later, however you can. After all, during this generation’s toughest crisis, our public health and safety depended on them. —Abby Tegnelia
PLACES
ADIRONDACK INN
Mirror Lake Inn
77 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid
(518) 523-2544
mirrorlakeinn.com
The Sagamore Resort
110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing
(518) 644-9400
thesagamore.com
ADK Trail Inn
11757 State Route 9N, Upper Jay
(518) 527-1155
adktrailinn.com
ASSISTED LIVING/NURSING HOME
The Sentinel of Amsterdam
10 Market Street, Amsterdam
(518) 896-0010
sentinelalf.com
Eddy Village Green
421 W. Columbia Street, Cohoes
(518) 237-5630
sphp.com
Pine Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
201 Main Street, Philmont
(518) 672-7408
pinehavencarecenter.com
B&B (within 3 hours)
Reluctant Panther
39 West Road, Manchester Village, VT
(802) 362-2568
Gardner Farm Inn
59 Brunswick Road, Troy
(917) 509-5110
CAMPGROUND
Alpine Lake RV Resort (tie)
78 Heath Road, Corinth
(518) 654-6260
rvonthego.com
Lake George RV Park (tie)
74 State Route 149, Lake George
(518) 792-3775
lakegeorgervpark.com
Blackthorne Resort (tie)
348 Sunside Road, East Durham
(518) 634-2541
blackthorneresort.com
DAY TRIP (within 3 hrs)
Lake Placid
Lake George
Manchester, VT
GOLF COURSE (PRIVATE)
Wolferts Roost Country Club
120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany
(518) 449-3223
wolfertsroost.com
The Country Club of Troy
100 Troy Country Club Road, Troy
(518) 274-1000
countrycluboftroy.com
Albany Country Club
300 Wormer Road, Voorheesville
(518) 765-2851
albanycc.cc
GOLF COURSE (PUBLIC)
Town of Colonie Golf Course
418 Consaul Road, Schenectady
(518) 374-4181
colonie.org
Orchard Creek Golf Club
6700 Dunnsville Road, Altamont
(518) 861-5000
orchardcreek.com
Normanside Country Club
150 Salisbury Road, Delmar
(518) 439-4505
normanside.com
HIKING TRAIL
John Boyd Thacher State Park
830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville
(518) 872-1237
parks.ny.gov
Albany Pine Bush Preserve (tie)
195 New Karner Road, Albany
(518) 456-0655
albanypinebush.org
Peebles Island State Park (tie)
1 Delaware Avenue North, Cohoes
(518) 268-2188
parks.ny.gov
HOTEL
The Desmond
660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany
(518) 869-8100
desmondhotelsalbany.com
The Renaissance Albany Hotel
144 State Street, Albany
(518) 992-2500
marriott.com
The Adelphi Hotel
365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
(518) 678-6000
theadelphihotel.com
KIDS BIRTHDAY VENUE
Good Karma Studio
12 Walker Way 1A, Albany
(518) 512-9929
thegoodkarmastudio.com
KJ’s Gymnastics
3143 Route 9, Valatie
(518) 758-2554
kjsgymnasticsny.com
Indian Ladder Farms
342 Altamont Road, Altamont
(518) 765-2956
indianladderfarms.com
KIDS CAMP
YMCA Adventure Camp
1 Camp Nassau Lane, Guilderland
(518) 640-1988
cdymca.org
Camp Chingachgook
1872 Pilot Knob Road, Kattskill Bay
(518) 656-9462
camp.cdymca.org
Camp Fowler
152 Pelcher Road, Lake Pleasant
(518) 548-6524
campfowler.org
PARK
John Boyd Thacher State Park
830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville
(518) 872-1237
parks.ny.gov
The Crossings of Colonie
580 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville
(518) 783-2760
colonie.org
Saratoga Spa State Park
19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs
(518) 584-2535
parks.ny.gov
PICNIC SPOT
John Boyd Thacher State Park
830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville
(518) 872-1237
parks.ny.gov
Saratoga Spa State Park
19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs
(518) 584-2535
parks.ny.gov
Grafton Lakes State Park
254 Grafton Lakes State Park Way, Grafton
(518) 279-1155
parks.ny.gov
55+ RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Glen Eddy
1 Glen Eddy Drive, Niskayuna
(518) 280-8385
eddyseniorliving.com
The Spinney
6 Parker Mathusa Place, Delmar
(518) 689-0162
2490 Pond View, Castleton-On-Hudson
(518) 479-0800
thespinneygroup.com
Shaker Pointe at Carondelet
One Bell Tower Drive, Watervliet
(518) 250-4890
shakerpointe.org
ROMANTIC GETAWAY INN
Mirror Lake Inn (tie)
77 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid
(518) 523-2544
mirrorlakeinn.com
The Sagamore Resort (tie)
110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing
(518) 644-9400
thesagamore.com
Belhurst Castle & Winery
4069 West Lake Road, Geneva
(315) 781-0201
belhurst.com
SARATOGA INN/HOTEL
Longfellows Hotel & Restaurant
500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs
(518) 587-0108
longfellows.com
The Adelphi Hotel
365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
(518) 678-6000
theadelphihotel.com
The Gideon Putnam
24 Gideon Putnam Road,
Saratoga Springs
(866) 890-1171
gideonputnam.com
SKI AREA
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA
(413) 738-5500
jiminypeak.com
Stowe Mountain Resort
5781 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT
(802) 253-3000
stowe.com
Gore Mountain
793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek
(518) 251-2411
goremountain.com
VERMONT INN
The Equinox
3567 Main Street, Manchester Village
(802) 362-4700
equinoxresort.com
The Dorset Inn (tie)
8 Church Street, Dorset
(802) 867-5500
dorsetinn.com
Grey Fox Inn & Resort (tie)
990 Mountain Road, Stowe
(802) 253-8921
greyfoxinn.com
WEDDING VENUE
Old Daley on Crooked Lake
2339 NY-43, Averill Park
(518) 674-3132
olddaley.com
The Appel Inn (tie)
590 State Route 146, Altamont
(518) 861-6557
appelinn.com
Franklin Plaza (tie)
4 4th Street, Troy
(518) 270-9622
franklinplaza.com
Natural Beauty Awaits at John Boyd Thacher State Park
Come for the vistas, stay for the hiking and camping.
John Boyd Thacher State Park is a 2,155-acre natural wonderland located just outside of Albany, near Voorheesville, along what is known as the Helderberg Escarpment (just a big, scary word meaning “long, steep slope”). The titular Boyd, who served as a state senator and mayor of Albany twice in the late 1800s, and his wife, Emma, were eco warriors long before that was even a thing; the couple bought up untouched land in the region to save it from development.
Five years after John’s death in 1914, Emma bequeathed the state a sizable chunk of that land in his name, and, soon after, it became Thacher State Park. It was later expanded upon, and nowadays, park-goers can find countless miles of well-kept, year-round hiking trails; a multitude of verdant, picturesque picnicking and grilling spots; playgrounds, playing fields and a nature center; and postcard-worthy vistas that have helped it win three Besties this year in the Park, Hiking Trail and Picnic Spot categories.
Whether you’re enjoying a hike on the historic Indian Ladder Trail or snapping selfies at Thacher State Park’s jaw-dropping overlook, the park has a little bit of everything for everyone. Plus, if you’re the type that enjoys roughing it in the elements, the park also has a 140-site campground, opening in May, at Thompson’s Lake, which features a sun-and-fun beach, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, swing sets and nature trails, among other amenities. —Will Levith
