https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Bonacio-buys-Stark-s-Garage-13008099.php
Bonacio buys Stark's garage building in Saratoga Springs
Plans for site unknown
Published 4:20 pm, Tuesday, June 19, 2018
. The market chain eliminated virtually all of its Capital Region stores in 1981.
less. The market chain eliminated virtually all of its Capital Region
... more, Albany. The structure closed in 1999 and was taken over by Time Warner in 2001 to become the site of Capital News 9, now YNN.
, Albany. The structure closed in 1999 and was taken over by Time Warner in 2001 to become the site of Capital News 9, now YNN.
. The chain shuttered stores nationwide in 2002, which cost the Capital Region more than 750 jobs and left some communities without their main source of daily sundries.
. The chain shuttered stores nationwide in 2002, which cost the Capital Region more than 750 jobs and left some communities without their main source of daily sundries.
, Latham. The used bookstore closed in 2015 after the store's landlord sharply raised the rent. The store was named best used bookstore in the Times Union's Best of the Capital Region poll that year.
less, Latham. The used bookstore closed in 2015 after the store's landlord sharply raised the rent. The store was named best used bookstore in the Times Union's Best of the Capital Region poll that
... more, Latham. Once a prime spot for bowlers in the Capital Region, this bowling center closed in 2007.
, Latham. Once a prime spot for bowlers in the Capital Region, this bowling center closed in 2007.
, various locations. The discount retailer, once an anchor store at Crossgates, Latham Circle and Clifton Country Mall, closed its remaining Capital Region stores in 1999.
, various locations. The discount retailer, once an anchor store at Crossgates, Latham Circle and Clifton Country Mall, closed its remaining Capital Region stores in 1999.
, various locations. The department store on State Street in Schenectady closed in 1991 after celebrating its 100th anniversary.
, various locations. The department store on State Street in Schenectady closed in 1991 after celebrating its 100th anniversary.
, Cohoes Commons, and later Crossgates Mall. People would come from as far as Montreal and beyond to line up every year to get incredible bargains on designer brands during their President's Day sale. Founded locally in the 1930s, Cohoes Specialty Stores, Inc. was acquired by Burlington in 1989. By 2007, the Cohoes Fashions name ceased to exist, along with their President's Day sale.
less, Cohoes Commons, and later Crossgates Mall. People would come from as far as Montreal and beyond to line up every year to get incredible bargains on designer brands during their President's Day
... more, Albany. Located at 420 Broadway, the store was a landmark where business people, politicians and working-class people picked up a newspaper, a magazine, a lottery ticket or a pack of cigarettes. The business, which had been run by the same family for generations, was sold in 2014. The spot is still the site of Coulson's News & Deli, though now under new ownership.
less, Albany. Located at 420 Broadway, the store was a landmark where business people, politicians and working-class people picked up a newspaper, a magazine, a lottery ticket or a pack of
... more, Troy. The original store was in Troy, but eventually it became a chain of 9 stores throughout the Capital Region.
, Troy. The original store was in Troy, but eventually it became a chain of 9 stores throughout the Capital Region.
at Delmar Plaza.
at Delmar Plaza.
Stuyvesant Plaza. 1969.
Stuyvesant Plaza. 1969.
opens new store in the Uncle Same Atrium, Troy, 1978. Frear's is seen in the background.
opens new store in the Uncle Same Atrium, Troy, 1978. Frear's is seen in the background.
Natural Food Store, Schenectady. The Jay St. natural foods store had been a fixture in downtown Schenectady for at least three decades when it closed in 2008.
Natural Food Store, Schenectady. The Jay St. natural foods store had been a fixture in downtown Schenectady for at least three decades when it closed in 2008.
, Troy. This multistory department store was known for its an ornate iron staircase, which is still intact from the second floor up. After Frear's went out of business in the middle of the last century, women's clothing store Peerless East occupied the first floor, followed later by Flah's. After being used for a time as office space, new retailers went into the space in 2013.
less, Troy. This multistory department store was known for its an ornate iron staircase, which is still intact from the second floor up. After Frear's went out of business in the middle of the
... moreThe iconic chain was hurt in the late 1980s and 1990s by competition such as Walmart, Kmart and other dollar stores. Albany's last traditional five-and-dime closed at Westgate Shopping Center in 1992. This photo shows the store on Central Ave. in Albany, taken by Glen S. Cook on September 26, 1938. (Times Union Archive)
lessThe iconic chain was hurt in the late 1980s and 1990s by competition such as Walmart, Kmart and other dollar stores. Albany's last traditional five-and-dime closed at Westgate Shopping
... more, various locations. This grocery chain was bought by Tops in 2012, and the stores were rebranded to Tops Friendly Markets.
, various locations. This grocery chain was bought by Tops in 2012, and the stores were rebranded to Tops Friendly Markets.
, Guilderland. The grocery and butcher shop known for its high-quality meat and service closed in 2014 after more than 60 years of business.
, Guilderland. The grocery and butcher shop known for its high-quality meat and service closed in 2014 after more than 60 years of business.
, Colonie. The store, which opened in 1952 as Norm's Friendly Market before becoming Handy Andy in the 1970s, burned down in 2013.
, Colonie. The store, which opened in 1952 as Norm's Friendly Market before becoming Handy Andy in the 1970s, burned down in 2013.
, Albany. The club, frequented by rockers U2, The Ramones, John Mellencamp (then Johnny Cougar), and more, burned down in 1982.
, Albany. The club, frequented by rockers U2, The Ramones, John Mellencamp (then Johnny Cougar), and more, burned down in 1982.
. A popular discount department store in the 1950s. There was one at Northway Mall in Colonie. Photos shows E.J. Korvette in New York, NY.
. A popular discount department store in the 1950s. There was one at Northway Mall in Colonie. Photos shows E.J. Korvette in New York, NY.
, Menands. This eight-story landmark, seen here on Broadway in 1932, was in a prime location for a department store and warehouse before the days of malls and big box stores. The building today is a multi-use facility called Riverview Center.
less, Menands. This eight-story landmark, seen here on Broadway in 1932, was in a prime location for a department store and warehouse before the days of malls and big box stores. The building today
... moreclosed all stores in 2000.
closed all stores in 2000.
. Construction was completed on the department store in 1909, but while it was being built, the building collapsed, killing 13 people. The store thrived in Albany's downtown, through the era of speakeasies and big band ballrooms and the expansion of state government, before closing in the 1970s. This photo is from 1933. (Times Union archive)
less. Construction was completed on the department store in 1909, but while it was being built, the building collapsed, killing 13 people. The store thrived in Albany's downtown, through the era of
... moreon North Pearl Street. The store connects with Broadway store over James Street in Albany. Taken August 14, 1946. (Times Union Archive)
on North Pearl Street. The store connects with Broadway store over James Street in Albany. Taken August 14, 1946. (Times Union Archive)
, Delmar and Saratoga. The stores, which sold upscale shoes and clothing, on both Delaware Ave. in Delmar and Broadway in Saratoga Springs, closed in 2010. The business had been in Delmar for roughly 25 years and in Saratoga for over 30.
less, Delmar and Saratoga. The stores, which sold upscale shoes and clothing, on both Delaware Ave. in Delmar and Broadway in Saratoga Springs, closed in 2010. The business had been in Delmar
... more, Guilderland. The store got its start on Franklin Square in downtown Troy in 1955, and later branched out to Albany and Guilderland. When the store closed for good in 2014, it was located at 1890 Western Ave.
less, Guilderland. The store got its start on Franklin Square in downtown Troy in 1955, and later branched out to Albany and Guilderland. When the store closed for good in 2014, it was located at
... more(formerly Colonie Coliseum), Latham. The venue that once brought stars like Diana Ross, Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr. to the Capital Region was knocked down in 2012.
(formerly Colonie Coliseum), Latham. The venue that once brought stars like Diana Ross, Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr. to the Capital Region was knocked down in 2012.
, Troy. The store closed in 2009 after 94 years in business. It is now the location of a relatively new eatery, The Shop.
, Troy. The store closed in 2009 after 94 years in business. It is now the location of a relatively new eatery, The Shop.
, Troy. The business closed in 2008 after operating for 90 years on the same downtown corner.
, Troy. The business closed in 2008 after operating for 90 years on the same downtown corner.
, Schenectady. If you couldn't find a part, or piece, or bit or strange fitting anywhere else, Wallace Armer would surely have it. The store opened on Erie Blvd. in the 1920s, but had existed in other locations since the 1890s. It closed its doors forever in 1997.
less, Schenectady. If you couldn't find a part, or piece, or bit or strange fitting anywhere else, Wallace Armer would surely have it. The store opened on Erie Blvd. in the 1920s, but had
... more, Albany. This photos was taken July 2, 1935. (Times Union Archive)
, Albany. This photos was taken July 2, 1935. (Times Union Archive)
. Chief Food Market at 488 Central Ave. in Albany. Taken October 14, 1937. (Times Union Archive
. Chief Food Market at 488 Central Ave. in Albany. Taken October 14, 1937. (Times Union Archive
A. Swire Furniture Store. Taken July 23, 1936. (Times Union Archive)
A. Swire Furniture Store. Taken July 23, 1936. (Times Union Archive)
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. at 1100 Madison Ave., Albany. Taken July 7, 1938. (Times Union Archive)
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. at 1100 Madison Ave., Albany. Taken July 7, 1938. (Times Union Archive)
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Bonacio Construction has bought Stark's Garage, the cinder block building on Excelsior Avenue where Saratogians brought their cars for repairs for 60 years.
Sonny Bonacio, president of Bonacio Construction, purchased the property for $450,000 in early June after the 71-year-old owner, Sid Stark, retired in May. The building is diagonally across the street from Bonacio's The Hamlet, a rectangle of luxury apartments above a mix of commercial space, and next door to his 70 Excelsior, a mix of retail and condos.
Bonacio said he has no firm plans for the site and is considering many options.
"We are trying to decide what fits best into the neighborhood right now," Bonacio said. "Really, it can range from a bunch of different directions."
It is also unclear if Saratoga Auto Parts, which remains in portion of the old garage building, will relocate. Owner George Mosher says he's been looking around.
"It better to be prepared than under the gun to find a place," Mosher said. "But right now, I don't know what's going to happen. It depends on Bonacio."
Excelsior Avenue is an area of the city which has seen a lot of growth in recent years. In addition to The Hamlet and 70 Excelsior, Empire Run, a set of upscale apartments with retail space, has also been built. An allergy and asthma center, offices and hotels have also opened on the street.
While the old garage is on a prime piece of real estate, it is across from a National Grid brownfield. Paved over and fenced in, the area was contaminated with chemicals from old gaslights that once lit the city.
Stark's Garage was built atop a piece an old railroad bed that carried trains from Lake Avenue to Schuylerville.
