The Besties are back, and for those of you who haven’t been following along with the Capital Region’s longest running “best of” survey for the last 20-plus years, let us fill you in on how it works. Bestie voting opens on crlmag.com every November, and runs through the end of the year. Thousands of Capital Regionites cast their votes in more than 200 categories spanning from coffee and cookies to law firm and landscaper. And voters aren’t just selecting from a drop-down menu of preselected options. They’re actually writing their votes in—with no input from the CRL team given. Then, our tireless sales assistant, Tracy, compiles the votes (no small feat!); we divide the categories into two sections (People & Places and Food & Drink); and, after some editing and graphic design magic, voila! The magazine you’re holding in your hands—or reading on a screen—comes together. Read on to find out which local businesses and personalities CRL readers deemed best of the best, and stay tuned for the second Besties installment, the Food & Drink issue, out mid-May. And to all of you who cast your votes to highlight everything that makes the Capital Region great: Thanks for being our Bestie.

—Natalie Moore

CULTURE

ART MUSEUM

Albany Institute of History and Art
125 Washington Avenue, Albany
518.463.4478
albanyinstitute.org

The Clark
225 South Street, Williamstown, MA
413.458.2303
clarkart.edu

MASS MoCA
1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA
413.662.2111
massmoca.org

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

The Children’s Museum at Saratoga
65 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.584.5540
cmssny.org

miSci
15 Museum Drive, Schenectady
518.382.7890
misci.org

World Awareness Children’s Museum
89 Warren Street, Glens Falls
518.793.2773
worldchildrensmuseum.org

CONCERT VENUE

SPAC
108 Avenue of the Pines
Saratoga Springs
518.584.9330
spac.org

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
30 2nd Street, Troy
518.273.0038
troymusichall.org

The Egg
Empire State Plaza, Albany
518.473.1061
theegg.org

COUNTY FAIR

The Altamont Fair
Route 146 at Arlington Street
518.861.6671
altamontfair.com

Washington County Fair
392 Old Schuylerville Road, Greenwich
518.692.2464
washingtoncountyfair.com

Columbia County Fair
182 Hudson Avenue, Chatham
518.392.2121
columbiafair.com

MUSEUM

New York State Museum
222 Madison Avenue, Albany
518.474.5877
nysm.nysed.gov

• Clearly, the New York State Museum’s old-school charm still speaks to
  Bestie voters, despite some reports that its exhibits have become outdated as planned renovations failed to materialize over the years. That could all change, thanks to a recent proposal made by Governor Kathy Hochul to invest $400 million into the revitalization of Albany, $150 million of which would be dedicated to the beloved museum. 

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
191 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs
518.584.0400
racingmuseum.org

Hart Cluett Museum
57 2nd Street, Troy
518.272.7232
hartcluett.org

OUTDOOR SUMMER VENUE

SPAC
108 Avenue of the Pines
Saratoga Springs
518.584.9330
spac.org

The Greens at Copake Country Club
44 Golf Course Road, Craryville
518.325.0019
thegreensatcopake.com

Tanglewood
297 West Street
Lenox, MA
617.266.1200
bso.org

SEASONAL EVENT

Troy Victorian Stroll
Downtown Troy
518.274.7020
victorianstroll.com

Saratoga Racing Season
267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs
518.584.6200
nyra.com

Saratoga Chowderfest
Downtown Saratoga Springs
518.584.1531
discoversaratoga.com

THEATER

Proctors Theatre
432 State Street, Schenectady
518.346.6204
atproctors.org

Mac-Haydn Theatre
1925 Route 203, Chatham
518.392.9292
machaydntheatre.org

Capital Repertory Theatre
251 North Pearl Street, Albany
518.346.6204
attherep.org

SERVICES

ANIMAL HOSPITAL

The Animal Hospital
2 Rocking Horse Lane, Slingerlands
518.456.0852
theanimalhospital.com

Delmar Animal Hospital
910 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.9361
delmaranimalhospital.com

Miller Animal Hospital
380 North Greenbush Road, Troy
518.283.1166
millerah.com

APPLIANCE STORE

Marcella’s Appliance Center
15 Park Avenue, Clifton Park  518.952.7700
560 Broadway, Schenectady  518.381.1957
marcellasappliance.com

Earl B. Feiden Appliance
Multiple Locations
earlbfeiden.com

Green’s Appliance & Furniture
1207 Central Avenue, Albany
518.458.7994
greenshasgonegreen.com

ARCHITECTURE FIRM

Balzer & Tuck Architecture
468 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.580.8818
balzertuck.com

Harris A. Sanders Architects
252 Washington Avenue, Albany
518.426.3544
sandersarchitects.com

Conklin Architecture
3 Fyke Road, Catskill
518.943.4220
conklinarchitecture.com

AUTO SERVICE

Bethlehem Auto Service
62 Hannay Lane, Glenmont
518.426.8414
Bethlehem Auto Service on Facebook

Bazars Autobody & Mechanical
160 Vliet Boulevard, Cohoes
518.237.9594
bazarsauto.com

Lawton’s Automotive and Tire Center
90 Watervliet Avenue, Albany
518.269.3550
Lawtons Automotive and Tire Center on Facebook

BANK

Trustco Bank
Multiple Locations
trustcobank.com

Pioneer Bank
Multiple Locations
pioneerny.com

Adirondack Trust Company
Multiple Locations
adirondacktrust.com

BARBERSHOP

Legends Barbershop
30 N Central Avenue, Mechanicville  518.664.4864
2443 Route 9, Suite 202, Malta  518.400.1460
legendsny.com

Gregory’s Barbershop
316 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.3525
gregorysbarbershop.com

Chrispycuts
2460 Western Avenue, Altamont
518.250.5316
chrispycuts.com

BARTENDERS

• Could it really be that all of the Capital Region’s best bartenders are concentrated in the Spa City? Well, according to a 2024 County Health Rankings report, Saratoga is the “drunkest” city in New York, so that’d make sense! The report found that 24 percent of Saratoga’s adult population drinks excessively—that’s 5 percent above the national average and 6 percent above the state average. Thank you to the bartenders of Bocage, Putnam Place, and The Misfit for helping make such a concerning achievement possible.

Bocage Champagne Bar
10 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs
518.450.1115
bocagechampagnebar.com

Putnam Place
63A Putnam Street, Saratoga Springs
518.886.9585
putnamplace.com

The Misfit
1 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs
518.285.0129
themisfitsaratoga.com

CATERER

Yanni’s Too
16 Marina Drive, Coeymans
518.756.7033
yannisrestaurants.com

Saati Deli and Catering
586 New Loudon Road, Latham
518.783.1600
saatideliandcatering.com

Daley Hospitality Group
518.235.2656
olddaley.com

CHEF

Marc Yanni
Yanni’s Too
16 Marina Drive, Coeymans
518.756.7033
yannisrestaurants.com

Wilson Corker
Heat N Salt
518.982.8128
Heat N Salt on Facebook

Marty Gerrity
The Greens at Copake Country Club
44 Golf Course Road, Craryville
518.325.0019
thegreensatcopake.com

CHIROPRACTOR

Delmar Chiropractic
204 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.7644
delmarchiropractic.com

Capital District Family Chiropractic
40 Colvin Avenue, Albany
12 Mountain Ledge Drive, Suite 4, Wilton
518.599.0067
cdfchiro.com

Upstate Chiropractic and Wellness
1820 Western Avenue, Albany
518.512.9626
upstatechiropractic.net

CREDIT UNION

Broadview Federal Credit Union
Multiple Locations
broadviewfcu.com

Sunmark Credit Union
Multiple Locations
866.786.6275
sunmark.org

First New York Federal Credit Union (tie)
Multiple Locations
518.393.1326
firstnewyork.org

Next Step Credit Union (tie)
325 Washington Avenue Ext., Albany  518.456.1611
150 Defreest Drive, Troy  519.286.1611
nextstepfcu.org

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Bocage Champagne Bar
10 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs
518.450.1115
bocagechampagnebar.com

Choices Hair Studio
180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.4619
choiceshairstudio.com

Joyelles Jewelers
318 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.9993
joyellesjewelers.com

DANCE STUDIO

Troy Dance Factory
291 River Street, Troy
troydancefactory.com

Barbara’s School of the Dance
417 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
518.475.9580
barabarasschoolofthedance.com

The Isabelle School of Dance
1 Springhurst Drive, East Greenbush  518.477.2441
43 Mall Way, Suite 15, West Sand Lake  518.674.2242
isabelledance.com

DAY SPA

Breathe Massage Therapy
48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar
518.621.7979
breathemassagedelmar.com

Spa Mirbeau
1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany
518.647.2328
spamirbeau.com

Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness
221 Wolf Road, Albany  518.489.5231
268 Broadway, Saratoga Springs  518.306.5502
complexions.com

DENTIST

Dental Wellness of Albany
651 Delaware Avenue, Albany
518.427.2447
651dental.com

Zappia and Fryer General Dentistry
1 Pine West Plaza, Albany
518.869.1138
zappiafryer.com

Douglas J. Tucker DMD
169 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer
518.414.3990
dtuckerdental.com

DOG GROOMING

The Detailed Dog
2093 Western Avenue, Guilderland
518.213.7911
thedetaileddog.com

Pet Spas Pamper & Play
1 Cerone Commercial Drive, Albany
518.783.5506
petspaspamperandplay.com

Shampoodle
266 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.368.3260
shampoodledogwash.com

DOGGIE DAY CARE

Dig it Dogs
137 East State Street Ext., Gloversville
518.921.4042
digitdogs.net

Pet Spas Pamper & Play
1 Cerone Commercial Drive, Albany
518.783.5506
petspaspamperandplay.com

Muttz Dog Lounge
1814 Central Avenue, Albany
518.738.2124
muttzdoglounge.com

DOG TRAINER

Dig It Dogs
137 East State Street Ext., Gloversville
518.921.4042
digitdogs.net

Adventure Tails Dog Training and Enrichment
518.500.3174
Adventure Tails Dog Training and Enrichment on Facebook

Paws Up
422 Smith Road, Amsterdam
518.930.8253
Paws Up Certified Dog Training on Facebook

DRY CLEANER

Best Cleaners
Multiple Locations
bestcleanersny.com

Cudney’s Cleaners
Multiple Locations
cudneys.com

Rainbow Cleaners
10 Ford Avenue, Troy
518.274.0981
troyrainbowcleaners.com

ESTHETICIAN

Katie Kowalski
Breathe Massage Therapy
48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar
518.621.7979
breathemassagedelmar.com

Kelly Pacifico
Lucie Capek MD Plastic Surgery and MedSpa
1003 Loudon Road, Latham
518.786.1700
capekplasticsurgery.com

Courtney Weed
Choices Hair Studio
180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.4619
choiceshairstudio.com

EVENT PLANNER

Unveiled by Louisa
518.312.5260
unveiledbylouisa.com

Katie O’ Weddings and Events
518.275.6813
katieoevents.com

A Lively Event (tie)
518.406.6698
alivelyevent.com

Mary Jacobs Events (tie)
518.538.3066
maryjacobsevents.com

FACIAL

Breathe Massage Therapy
48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar
518.521.7979
breathemassagedelmar.com

Choices Hair Studio
180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.4619
choiceshairstudio.com

Lucie Capek MD Plastic Surgery and MedSpa
1003 Loudon Road, Latham
518.786.1700
capekplasticsurgery.com

FINANCIAL PLANNER

Bonanno Financial Advisors
250 Osborne Road, Colonie
518.438.1835
bonannofinancialadvisors.com

Empire Financial Advisors
3 Lear Jet Lane, Latham
518.608.1100
empirefa.com

Bouchey Financial Group
340 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
1819 Fifth Avenue, Troy
518.720.3333
bouchey.com

FITNESS CENTER

Good Karma Studio
12 Walker Way, Albany
518.512.9929
thegoodkarmastudio.com

Capital District YMCA
Multiple Locations
cdymca.com

Metabolic Fitness
Multiple Locations
wearemetabolic.com

FLORIST

The Enchanted Florist
54 Columbia Street, Albany
518.813.4990
enchantedfloristalbany.net

Samantha Nass Floral Design
61 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs
518.886.9461
snfloraldesign.com

Felthousen’s Florist & Greenhouse
Multiple Locations
felthousensflorist.com

FUNERAL HOME

DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home
39 South Main Street, Mechanicville
518.664.4500
devito-salvadorefh.com

McVeigh Funeral Home
208 N Allen Street, Albany
518.489.0188
mcveighfuneralhome.com

Applebee Funeral Home
403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
518.439.2715
applebeefuneralhome.com

FURNITURE STORE

Old Brick Furniture
Multiple Locations
oldbrickfurniture.com

Mooradians Furniture
800 Central Avenue, Albany  518.489.2529
1758A Route 9, Parkwood Plaza, Clifton Park  518.694.8452
mooradians.com

Tip Top Furniture
9477 Route 32, Freehold
518.634.2226
tiptopfurniture.com

GENERAL PRACTITIONER

Lisa Bevilaqua, DO
Community Care
1882 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands
518.439.2460
communitycare.com

Khyber Khan, MD
Ellis Primary Care
115 Saratoga Road, Glenville
844.518.3627
ellismedicine.org

Joseph Wayne, MD, MPH (tie)
Albany Med Health System
1019 Loudon Road, Cohoes
518.262.7500
albanymed.org

Gloria Guptill, MD (tie)
Community Care
250 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.8077
communitycare.com

HAIR SALON

Choices Hair Studio
180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.4619
choiceshairstudio.com

Soojee Beauty: Salon & Head Spa
210 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.915.1001
soojeebeauty.com

Blush & Co. Hair and Beauty
579 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
518.608.1481
blushcohairandbeauty.com

HAIRDRESSER

Tammie Martin
Choices Hair Studio
180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.4619
choiceshairstudio.com

Soojee Dufresne
Soojee Beauty: Salon & Head Spa
210 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.915.1001
soojeebeauty.com

Cassondra Schauble
Cassondra Luxury Hair
518.867.1375
cassondraluxuryhair.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

Empire Plan
877.769.7447
empireplanproviders.com

HEATING & COOLING

Family Danz Heating & Cooling
404 North Pearl Street, Albany
518.427.8685
familydanz.com

B&B Plumbing
25 Station Lane, Saratoga Springs
518.584.4440
bbphsaratoga.com

Main-Care Energy
1 Booth Lane, Albany
800.542.5552
maincareenergy.com

HOME BUILDER

Bonacio Construction
18 Division Street, Saratoga Springs
518.584.9007
bonacio.com

Marini Homes
624 New Loudon Road, Latham
518.869.1200
marinihomes.com

Witt Construction
563 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.587.4113
wittconstruction.com

HOME HEALTHCARE

Attentive Care
5 Computer Drive, Albany
518.438.6271
attentivecareservices.com

Eddy Visiting Nurse & Rehab Association
47 Liberty Street, Catskill
518.943.5530
sphp.com

Home Medical Administration
518.346.1284
hmabny.org

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

The Connors Agency
40 N Central Avenue, Mechanicville
518.664.7307
connorsgroup.com

Northeastern Insurance
1214 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham
518.346.2886
northeasterninsurance.com

Broadview Insurance Agency
469 State Street, Schenectady  518.786.9905
297 Main Street, Schoharie  888.250.6689
broadviewinsuranceagency.com

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Sensory Six
518.306.1099
sensorysix.com

Interior Designs Atelier
3 Franklin Square, Saratoga Springs
518.321.7440
interiordesignsatelier.com

Paula McCormick Interiors
3 Douglas Lane, Loudonville
10 Starbuck Drive, Troy
518.986.1196
paulamccormickinteriors.com

LANDSCAPER

Troy’s Landscape Supply
1266 New Loudon Road, Cohoes
518.785.1526
troyslandscapesupply.com

Gallivan Corporation
2702 6th Avenue, Troy
518.271.6100
gallivancompanies.com

Delossantos Landscape and Property Management
518.257.0424
Delossantos Landscape and Property Management LLC on Facebook

LAW FIRM

O’Connell and Aronowitz
54 State Street, Albany
518.462.5601
oalaw.com

Casey Law
4 Tower Place, Albany
518.738.1800
caseylawlatham.com

Conway, Donovan & Manley, PLLC
50 State Street, Albany
518.436.1661
lawcdm.com

LOCAL COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

Siena College
515 Loudon Road, Loudonville
518.783.2300
siena.edu

• Capital Region Living readers voted Siena the best local college back in November and December of last year, but since then, the school has made a pretty staggering achievement. In January, it unveiled the brand-new, $35 million Nobel Hall—a 50,000-square-foot science center complete with laboratories, classrooms, and active learning spaces—which was built without Siena needing to incur any debt. That’s thanks in large part to a donation made by the building’s namesake, 2007 Siena graduate Das Nobel, and his wife, Nipa, whose contribution will help ensure Siena doesn’t meet the same fate as Saint Rose and many other US colleges that have closed since the pandemic.

Hudson Valley Community College
80 Vandenburgh Avenue, Troy
518.629.4822
hvcc.com

University at Albany
1400 Washington Avenue, Albany
518.442.3300
albany.edu

MANI/PEDI

Daily Nails & Spa
1471 Route 9, Suite 108, Clifton Park
518.280.0178
Daily Nails & Spa on Facebook

Venus Nail Spa
52 North Greenbush Road, Troy
518.326.9594
venusnailspany.com

L Perfect Nail & Spa
400 Feura Bush Road, Glenmont
518.432.4037
L Perfect Nail & Spa on Facebook

MARINA

Pluchino’s Marina
284 Houseman Street, Mayfield
518.863.3437
pluchinos.com

Coeymans Landing Marina
20 Marina Drive, Coeymans
518.756.6111
coeymanslandingmarina.com

Boats By George (tie)
Sandy Bay Marina
291 Cleverdale Road, Cleverdale  518.793.5452
Warner Bay Marina
39 Rockhurst Road, Queensbury
boatsbygeorge.com

Donovan’s Shady Harbor Marina (tie)
70 Shady Harbor Drive, New Baltimore
518.756.8001
shadyharbormarina.com

MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO

Aikido at Hawks Hill
36 Cooksboro Road, Troy
518.892.9668
hawks-hill.com

Master Yang’s Medical Arts Center
849 New Loudon Road, Latham
518.362.7041
yangsmac.com

Dewey’s Martial Arts Academy
159 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
179 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer
518.475.9641
deweysmartialartsacademy.com

MASSAGE

Breathe Massage Therapy
48 Hudson Avenue, Delmar
518.621.7979
breathemassagedelmar.com

Massage by Meg
251 New Karner Road, Albany
518.391.8648
mysite.vagaro.com/massagebymeg518

Lunar Aesthetics and Massage
2050 Western Avenue, Guilderland
518.649.2580
massagebykarla.com

MEDICAL SPA

Lucie Capek MD
Plastic Surgery and MedSpa
1003 Loudon Road, Latham
518.786.1700
capekplasticsurgery.com

Hebe Medical Spa
601 Loudon Road, Latham  518.605.5545
28 Division Street, Saratoga Springs  518.901.7150
thehebespa.com

Felicia’s House of Invigoration
945 Route 146, Clifton Park
518.698.9292
feliciashouseofinvigoration.com

MEDICAL SPECIALIST

Lucie Capek, MD
Lucie Capek MD Plastic Surgery and MedSpa
1003 Loudon Road, Latham
518.786.1700
capekplasticsurgery.com

Albany ENT & Allergy Services
123 Everett Road, Albany  518.701.2085
1785 Route 9, Clifton Park  518.701.2075
albanyentandallergy.com

Robert Busch, MD
Albany Med Endocrinology
220 Washington Avenue Ext., Albany
518.489.4704
albanymed.org

ORHODONTIST

Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics
500 Federal Street, Troy  518.274.4322
30 Round Lake Road, Ballston Lake  518.400.1200
cooneyorthodontics.com

Lozman Orthodontics
17 Johnson Road, Latham
518.785.9441
capitaldistrictortho.com

Efros Orthodontics
Multiple Locations
845.250.0517
efrosorthodontics.com

PAVING/SEALCOATING

• It makes sense that Saratoga would be home to the Capital Region’s best bartenders, given the abundance of bars in town. But what makes Rensselaer a haven for the area’s top pavers and seal coaters is beyond us. The good news: All three of these Bestie winners are willing to travel, so the rest of us can enjoy smooth driveways, too.

L. Browe Asphalt Services
19 Sun Oil Road, Rensselaer
518.479.1400
broweasphalt.com

Prestige Paving & Sealcoating
5 McDonald Lane, Rensselaer
518.477.6123
prestige-sealcoating.com

Smith’s Paving and Sealcoating
3485 River Road, Rensselaer
518.266.9526
smithspaving.com

PEDIATRICIAN

Schoolhouse Pediatrics
Multiple Locations
518.456.1211
schoolhousepeds.com

Delmar Pediatrics
1220 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands
518.439.2273
delmarpediatricspllc.com

Giombetti & Brady Pediatrics
208 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.5611
giombettiandbradypediatrics.com

PERSONAL TRAINER

Toni Howard
Total Fitness with Toni
518.339.3037
totalfitnesswithtoni.com

Chris Wertman
Aspire Athletic Club
3637 Carman Road, Schenectady
518.817.5182
aspireathleticclub.com

Kyle Coletti
FocusMaster Fitness
828 Hoosick Road, Troy
518.326.4758
focusmaster.com

PEST CONTROL

Meerkat Pest Control
Multiple Locations
meerkatpestcontrol.com

Sheridan Pest Control
518.935.7162
sheridanpest.com

Thomas Pest Services
518.861.4921
thomaspestservices.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

Chelsea Sylvester Photography
251 New Karner Road, Colonie
518.657.1331
chelseasylvesterphotography.com

Elario Photography
elariophotography.com

All Occasions Photography
518.986.3440
alloccasionsphoto.net

PILATES STUDIO

Free Movement Pilates
5 Becker Terrace, Delmar
518.275.2644
freemovementpilates.com

Pilates Principle
578 Loudon Road, Latham
518.783.1678
lathampilates.com

The Pilates Method
785 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.551.0002
thepilatesmethoddelmar.com

POOL COMPANY

Caribbean Pools
1223 Fort Hunter Road, Schenectady
518.356.4364
caribbeanpoolsny.com

Concord Pools
156 Sparrowbush Road, Latham  518.783.8976
136 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs  518.587.4949
concordpools.com

Islander Pools and Spa (tie)
1967 Central Avenue, Albany  518.456.0958
2133 Doubleday Avenue, Ballston Spa  518.885.1131
islanderpools.com

A-Frame Pools & Spas (tie)
615 New Loudon Road, Latham
518.785.4171
aframepools.us

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Roohan Realty
519 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.587.4500
roohanrealty.com

Julie & Co. 
18 Division Street, Saratoga Springs
518.350.7653
juliecorealty.com

Miuccio Real Estate Group
1414 Western Avenue, Albany
498 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville
518.438.9302
miucciogroup.com

TAILOR

Jacques Tuxedo and Tailoring
1475 Western Avenue, Albany
518.435.9156

Tony the Tailor
632 Plank Road, Clifton Park
518.785.0378

Cohoes Custom Tailors
1 Mohawk Street, Cohoes
518.235.7344
Cohoes Custom Tailors on Facebook

TREE SERVICE

Sevenzocks Property Maintenance and Landscaping
1277 Route 9W, Selkirk
518.635.4111
sevenzocks.com

Salvadore Tree Service
1260 Hudson Avenue, Stillwater
518.664.7921
salvadoretreeservice.com

New Leaf Tree Services
652 Route 9H, Hudson
518.526.6675
newleaftreeservicesinc.com

WAITSTAFF

Yanni’s Too
16 Marina Drive, Coeymans
518.756.7033
yannisrestaurants.com

Verdile’s Restaurant
572 2nd Avenue, Troy
518.235.8879
verdile.com

DeNatale’s Italian Restaurant and Bar
214 Main Street, Hudson Falls
518.409.8187
denatales.com

YOGA STUDIO

Good Karma Studio
12 Walker Way, Albany
518.512.9929
thegoodkarmastudio.com

The Hot Yoga Spot
Multiple Locations
thehotyogaspot.com

Jai Yoga School
5 Vista Boulevard, Slingerlands
518.496.8382
jaiyogaschool.com

SHOPPING

ANTIQUE STORE

Waverly Square Antiques
19 Low Street, Ballston Spa
518.309.3566
waverlysquareantiques.com

Stone Soup Antiques Gallery
2144 Doubleday Avenue, Ballston Spa
518.885.5232
stonesoupantiquesgallery.com

Coxsackie Antique Center (tie)
12400 Route 9W, Coxsackie
518.731.8888
Coxsackie Antique Center on Facebook

Artcentric Marketplace (tie)
266 River Street, Troy
518.691.0007
Artcentric Marketplace on Facebook

ART GALLERY

Morningside Gallery
588 New Loudon Road, Latham
518.783.8763
morningsidegallery.com

Paint Cohoes Art Studio & Gallery
144 Remsen Street, Cohoes
518.348.6828
paintcohoes.com

Micropolis Cooperative
30 Main Street, Gloversville
Micropolis Cooperative on Facebook

BEVERAGE CENTER

Delmar Beverage
242 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.7275
delmarbeverage.com

Oliver’s Beverage
105 Colvin Avenue, Albany
518.459.2767
brew-crew.com

EBI Beverage
112 Excelsior Avenue, Saratoga Springs
518.583.0434
ebisaratoga.com

BOOKSTORE

I Love Books 
380 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.478.0715
I Love Books on Facebook

Market Block Books
290 River Street, Troy
518.328.0045
bhny.com

Northshire Bookstore
424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.682.4200
northshire.com

BRIDAL SHOP

Lily Saratoga
6 Franklin Square, Saratoga Springs
518.587.5017
lilysaratoga.com

Bridal Gallery by Yvonne
895 Loudon Road, Latham
518.782.9333
bridalgallerybyyvonne.com

Elle’s Bridal Boutique
211 Park Avenue, Mechanicville
518.664.1189
ellesbridalboutique.com

BUTCHER SHOP

Fred the Butcher
1473 Route 9, Halfmoon  518.371.5333
386 Maple Road, Slingerlands  518.650.8849
fredthebutcher.com

McCarroll’s The Village Butcher and Deli
406 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
518.478.9651
fix8media-delmar.squarespace.com

Sanders Meat Market
2100 Doubleday Avenue, Ballston Spa
518.288.3405
sandersmeatmarket.com

CANNABIS DISPENSARY

• The Capital Region’s cannabis scene has come a long way since last winter, when our cover story featured the budding (no pun intended) local industry. Four years after recreational marijuana was legalized in New York, this area is now home to more than a dozen dispensaries, including Bestie winner Stage One, the second one to open back in the summer of 2023.

Stage One
810 Broadway, Rensselaer
518.451.9540
stageonedispensary.com

Northern Lights
100 Broadway, Menands
518.472.0278
nldispo.com

Hold Up Roll Up (tie)
196 Washington Avenue, Albany
518.521.8324
holduprollup.com

Royale Flower (tie)
332 Northern Boulevard, Albany
518.380.3738
royaleflower.com

CSA/COMMUNITY CO-OP

Honest Weight Food Co-op
100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany
518.482.2667
honestweight.coop

Fox Creek Farm CSA
182 Fox Creek Farm Road, Schoharie
518.872.2375
foxcreekfarmcsa.com

Lansing’s Farm Market and Greenhouses
204 Lisha Kill Road, Colonie
518.464.0889
lansingfarmmarket.com

CAR DEALER

Keeler Motor Car Group
1111 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham
518.785.4197
keeler.com

Toyota of Clifton Park
202 Route 146, Mechanicville
518.664.4444
toyotaofcliftonpark.com

Mohawk Honda
175 Freemans Bridge Road, Schenectady
518.370.4911
mohawkhonda.com

CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

Truly Rhe
1 Broadway, Troy
518.273.1540
Truly Rhe on Facebook

Lifestyles of Saratoga
463 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.584.4665
lifestylesofsaratoga.com

Yellow Boutique
491 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.581.1700
yellowbtq.com

CONSIGNMENT SHOP

Worth Repeating
123 Saratoga Road, Scotia
518.384.0946
worthrepeating123.com

Collected Boutique
257 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.5722
collectedboutique.com

Something Olde, Something New 
1969 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands
518.474.0663
somethingoldenew.com

FARMERS’ MARKET

Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market
Troy Atrium (November-April)
Monument Square (May-October)
518.708.4216
troymarket.org

Delmar Farmers’ Market
Bethlehem High School
700 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
delmarmarket.com

Saratoga Farmers’ Market
Wilton Mall (November-April)
High Rock Park (May-October)
saratogafarmersmarket.org

GARDEN NURSERY

Faddegon’s Nursery
1140 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
518.785.6726
faddegons.com

Troy’s Landscape Supply
1266 New Loudon Road, Cohoes
518.785.1526
troyslandscapesupply.com

Gade Farm
2479 Western Avenue, Altamont
518.869.8019
gadefarm.com

GIFT SHOP

Cross Eyed Owl
3143 Route 9, Valatie
518.758.6755
crosseyedowl.com

Pearl Grant Richmans
1475 Western Avenue
Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
518.438.8409
pearlgrant.com

5th Corner Goods and Gifts
395 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
1475 Western Avenue, Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
5thcornergoods.com

HARDWARE STORE

Robinson’s Ace Hardware
Multiple Locations
robinsonshardware.com

Phillip’s Hardware
6495 Route 158, Altamont  518.861.5364
235 Delaware Avenue, Delmar  518.439.9943
shopphillips.com

Curtis Lumber
Multiple Locations
curtislumber.com

HEALTH FOOD STORE

Honest Weight Food Co-op
100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany
518.482.2667
honestweight.coop

Four Seasons Natural Foods
120 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs
518.584.4670
fourseasonsnaturalfoods.com

Healthy Living
3065 Route 50, Saratoga Springs
518.306.4900
healthylivingmarket.com

JEWELER

Joyelles Jewelers
318 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.9993
joyellesjewelers.com

John Fritze Jr, Jeweler
4 Normanskill Boulevard, Delmar
518.439.7690
johnfritzejrjeweler.com

Drue Sanders Custom Jewelers
1675 Western Avenue, Albany
518.464.9636
druesanders.com

LIQUOR/WINE

Empire Wine
1440 Central Avenue, Albany
518.694.8503
empirewine.com

Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor
70 Congress Street, Saratoga
518.584.5400
purdyswine.com

All Star Wine and Spirits
579 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
518.220.9463
allstarwine.com

MENSWEAR

Mr. Formal Wear
22 Clifton Park Road, Clifton Park
518.383.7701
mrformalwear.com

Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel
5 Metro Park Road, Albany  518.438.7887
385 Broadway, Saratoga Springs  518.871.1293
markthomasmensapparel.com

Britches of Troy (tie)
216 River Street, Troy
518.279.2752
Britches of Troy on Facebook

Union Hall Supply Co. (tie)
473 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
1475 Western Avenue, Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
518.450.7025
unionhallsupplyco.com

MUSIC STORE

The River Street Beat Shop
197 River Street, Troy
518.272.0433
recordstoreday.com

Parkway Music 
1777 Route 9, Clifton Park
518.383.0300
parkwaymusic.com

Triads Music Center
219 Main Street, Hudson Falls
518.793.2848
Triads Music Center on Facebook

OPTICAL CENTER

Brass Eye Center
1783 Route 9, Clifton Park
518.782.7827
brasseyecenter.com

Buenau’s Opticians
228 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.7012
buenaus.com

Saratoga Vision
235 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs
518.587.5900
saratogavision.com

PET STORE

Benson’s Pet Center
Multiple Locations
bensonspet.com

Healthy Pet Center
Multiple Locations
healthypetcenters.com

Sacandaga Dog Supply and Feed
212 South Main Street, Northville
518.863.8721
hounddoggear.com

SHOPPING MALL/CENTER

Colonie Center
131 Colonie Center, Albany
518.252.0215
shopatcoloniecenter.com

Clifton Park Center
22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park
518.371.7467
cliftonparkcenter.com

Stuyvesant Plaza
1475 Western Avenue, Albany
518.482.8986
stuyvesantplaza.com

SPORTING GOODS STORE

Steiner’s Sports
Multiple Locations
steinersskibike.com

Bike Barn Cycling and Fitness
4360 Route 30, Amsterdam
518.238.2453
bikebarncycles.com

Berkshire Bike & Board
Multiple Locations
berkshirebikeandboard.com

SUPERMARKET

Hannaford
Multiple Locations
hannaford.com

Price Chopper/Market 32
Multiple Locations
pricechopper.com

Honest Weight Food Co-op
100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany
518.482.2667
honestweight.coop

TIRE STORE

Grand Premier Tires & Custom Wheels
591 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush 518.477.4753
3361 S Thompson Street, Schenectady  518.630.5055
grandpremieretire.com

LaBarge’s Tire and Auto Service
Multiple Locations
labargestireautocenter.com

Schodack Tire
1920 Route 9, Castleton-On-Hudson
518.477.5333
Schodack Tire on Facebook

TRAVEL AGENCY

AAA Travel
Multiple Locations
hudsonvalley.aaa.com

• Bestie voters have caught on to the fact that AAA doesn’t just offer legendary roadside assistance—it also serves as a full-service travel agency that offers hotel discounts, added-value benefits, low-cost rates for rental vehicles, the best prices on cruises, and discounted tickets for attractions like Walt Disney World. While you don’t have to be a AAA member to use its travel agency, members do get the best deals!

Enchanting Escapes
2261 Western Avenue, Guilderland
518.608.4644
enchantingescapes.net

Yankee Trails
569 3rd Avenue Ext., Rensselaer
518.286.2400
yankeetrails.com

LOCAL PEOPLE & MEDIA

ARTIST

• To be fair, “artist” is a pretty broad category, that could cover anything from painting to pottery, sculpting to singing. That being said, what are the chances that two out of this year’s top three finalists are face painters? It appears we might have somewhat of a rivalry between Premo Designs and iCandy on our hands. Will face painter get a category of its own in future Bestie Awards? It just might.

Premo Designs Face Paint
518.952.1328
facepaint518.com

Julia Durgee
juliadurgee.com

iCandy Face Painting
icandydesignsfacepainting.com

AUTHOR

PATRICIA CRANDALL
patriciacrandall.com

John Gray
johngraywriter.com

Diane Cameron
dianecameron.com

AFTERNOON ANCHOR

CHRISTINA ARANGIO, News10 ABC

Trishna Begam, News10 ABC

JoDee Kenney, Spectrum News

BAND/MUSICIAN/ENTERTAINER

KELSEY DODD
Instagram @kelseydoddmusic

Eastbound Jesus
eastboundjesus.com

Lucid Street Band
lucidstreetband.com

EVENING ANCHOR

LYDIA KULBIDA, News10 ABC 

John Gray, News10 ABC 

Subrina Dhammi, NewsChannel 13

EVENING TEAM

NEWS10 ABC TEAM

NewsChannel 13 Team

Spectrum News Team

MORNING ANCHOR

STEPHANIE RIVAS, News10 ABC

• In her short time at News10 ABC, Stephanie Rivas shot to Capital Region news stardom, landing atop the Morning Anchor Besties standings after fewer than five years at the station. That fact made her February departure from the station all the more bittersweet; while the reporter said she felt embraced by the Capital Region community and at home here, she ultimately decided to take a different position closer to her family.

Christina Arangio, News10 ABC

Casey Bortnick, Spectrum News

MORNING TEAM

NEWS10 ABC TEAM

Spectrum News Team

NewsChannel 13 Team

METEOROLOGIST

STEVE CAPORIZZO, News10 ABC

• This January, iconic Capital Region meteorologist Steve Caporizzo announced that the time had come: As of June 30 of this year, he’ll be retiring from weather after more than 35 years at News10 ABC. “It is difficult because I truly love my job and all the people I work with, but I know it is time,” he said. “[My wife] Lisa and I will have more time together, and more time with our fur kids which is the most important thing.” In addition to providing Capital Regionites with the weather forecast for three-and-a-half decades, Steve has also become known for Pet Connection, the segment that since 1990 has found homes for thousands of pets. Even after retiring from weather, Steve will continue to host Pet Connection. “I will do that until the day I physically can no longer do it,” he said. “It will become my priority.”

Paul Caiano, NewsChannel 13

Steven LaPointe, CBS 6 WRGB

MUSIC RADIO

FLY 92.3
fly92.com

WEQX 102.7, weqx.com

THE CAT 100.9, thecatalbany.com

NEWS RADIO

WAMC
wamc.org

TALK 1300, talk1300.com

WGY, wgy.iheart.com

PODCAST 

The Buttonista Show

Onorato & Miller

MomBoss Maximizer 

PRINT JOURNALIST

John Gray, Capital Region Living

Paul Grondahl, Times Union

RADIO PERSONALITY

Jake & Libby, FLY 92.3

Ally Reid, FLY 92.3

Sean & Andrea, The Cat 100.9

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER

SAUCY SURACI 
@saucysuraci on Instagram

Two Buttons Deep
@twobuttonsdeep on Instagram

518 Foodies
@518foodies on Instagram

SPORTSCASTER

RODGER WYLAND, NewsChannel 13

Griffin Haas, News10 ABC

Chris Onorato, NewsChannel 13

PLACES

ASSISTED LIVING/NURSING HOME

Eddy Senior Living Communities
1 Glen Eddy Drive, Niskayuna
518.280.8385
eddyseniorliving.com

Peregrine Senior Living at Crossgate
140 Washington Avenue Ext., Albany
518.869.0211
peregrinecrossgate.com

Ingersoll Place (tie)
3359 Consaul Road, Niskayuna
518.370.4419
ingersollplace.org

Van Rensselaer Manor (tie)
85 Bloominggrove Drive, Troy
518.283.2300
rensco.com

CAMPGROUND

Glampful
162 Hatzenbuhler Road, Broadalbin
646.539.9438
glampful.com

Thompson’s Lake Campground
68 Thompsons Lake Road, East Berne
518.872.1674
parks.ny.gov

Cherry Plain State Park
10 State Park Road, Petersburg
518.733.5400
newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com

North-South Lake Campground
County Route 18, Haines Falls
518.589.5058
newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com

DAY TRIP (within 3 hrs)

Lake George, NY
visitlakegeorge.com

Lake Placid, NY
lakeplacid.com

Stockbridge, MA
stockbridgechamber.org

DOG-FRIENDLY SPOT

Higher Ground Distilling Company
2513 Highway 30, Mayfield
518.527.5490
Higher Ground Distilling Company on Facebook

June Farms
275 Parker Road, West Sand Lake
518.444.3276
junefarms.com

Capital Hills at Albany Golf Course (Off-season) (tie)
65 O’Neil Road, Albany
518.438.2208
caphills.com

Colonie Center (tie)
131 Colonie Center, Albany
518.459.9020
shopatcoloniecenter.com

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FARM

June Farms
275 Parker Road, West Sand Lake
518.444.3276
junefarms.com

• The next time you go to June Farms, you can take a bit of the experience home with you. Last fall, owner Matt Baumgartner co-authored a children’s book, The Bear at June Farms, with his mom, Rosie MacPhail. The story follows Bear, a curious puppy that adventures through the farm, meeting the animals and learning lessons about friendship and teamwork. You can purchase a copy of the book at the June Farms General store, or online.

Indian Ladder Farms
342 Altamont Road, Altamont
518.765.2956
indianladderfarms.com

Ellms Family Farm
468 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa
518.884.8168
ellmsfarms.com

GETAWAY HOTEL/RESORT/INN

The Lodge at Schroon Lake
210 Registration Way, Schroon Lake
518.987.0708
lodgeatschroonlake.com

Mohonk Mountain House
1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz
855.883.3798
mohonk.com

Reluctant Panther Inn and Restaurant
39 West Road, Manchester Village, VT
800.822.2331
reluctantpanther.com

GOLF COURSE (PRIVATE)

Albany Country Club
300 Wormer Road, Voorheesville
518.765.2851
albanycc.cc

Country Club of Troy
100 Troy Country Club Road, Troy
518.274.1000
countrycluboftroy.com

Columbia Golf & Country Club
295 Route 217, Claverack
518.851.9195
columbiagolf.com

GOLF COURSE (PUBLIC)

Copake Country Club
44 Golf Course Road, Craryville
518.325.0019
copakecountryclub.com

Saratoga National Golf Club
458 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs
518.583.4653
golfsaratoga.com

Normanside Country Club
150 Salisbury Road, Delmar
518.439.4505
normanside.com

HIKING TRAIL

Thacher State Park
830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville
518.872.1237
parks.ny.gov

Albany Pine Bush Preserve
195 New Karner Road, Albany
518.456.0655
albanypinebush.org

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
56 Game Farm Road, Delmar
518.475.0291
dec.ny.gov

KIDS BIRTHDAY VENUE

Good Karma Studio
12 Walker Way 1A, Albany
518.512.9929
thegoodkarmastudio.com

Barbara’s School of the Dance
417 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar
518.475.9580
barbarasschoolofthedance.com

The Littles Play & Cafe
515 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham  518.313.7099
180 Delaware Avenue, Delmar  518.275.0325
thelittlesplaycafe.com

KIDS CAMP

Good Karma Studio
12 Walker Way 1A, Albany
518.512.9929
thegoodkarmastudio.com

Camp Fowler
152 Pelcher Road, Lake Pleasant
518.548.6524
campfowler.org

Bethlehem YMCA
900 Delaware Avenue, Delmar
518.439.4394
cdymca.org

LOCAL HOTEL/RESORT/INN

The Adelphi Hotel
365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.678.6000
theadelphihotel.com

The Inn at Saratoga
231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.583.1890
theinnatsaratoga.com

The Maker Hotel
302 Warren Street, Hudson
518.509.2620
themaker.com

PARK

Saratoga Spa State Park
19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs
518.584.2535
parks.ny.gov

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

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Spinney
6 Parker Mathusa Place, Delmar  518.689.0162
thespinneyatvandyke.com
2490 Pond View, Castleton-On-Hudson  518.479.0800
thespinneyatpondview.com

Avila Retirement Community
100 White Pine Drive, Albany
518.452.4250
avilaretirementcommunity.com

Beverwyck 
40 Autumn Drive, Slingerlands
518.280.8385
eddyseniorliving.com

SKI AREA

Gore Mountain
793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek
518.251.2411
goremountain.com

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA
413.738.5500
jiminypeak.com

Whiteface Mountain
5021 Route 86, Wilmington
518.946.2223
whiteface.com

WEDDING VENUE

The Adelphi Hotel
365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.678.6000
theadelphihotel.com

Franklin Plaza
4 4th Street, Troy
518.270.9622
franklinplaza.com

The Lodge at Schroon Lake
210 Registration Way, Schroon Lake
518.987.0708
lodgeatschroonlake.com