Saratoga businesses assessing Belmont profits
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A week after the Belmont Stakes festivities, things were calmer in Saratoga Springs. Businesses like Celtic Treasures on Broadway say they raked in the green last week.
“We got those crowds before the race and after the racing. Overall we were very pleased about the results of the five-day Belmont Stakes festival” said Paul O’Donnell, Manager of Celtic Treasures jewelry and souvenir store.
Call it the luck of the Irish. Last week Frankie Flores told NEWS10's Zion Decoteau that he paints horses he predicts will win a race. Today his successful choice sits in Celtic’s window:
Frankie Flores: "I chose Dornoch and I had the painting pretty much in the window by noon the next day, so I did pick it."
Zion Decoteau: "And Dornoch won?"
Frankie Flores: "Doornoch won!"
Hats and horses are of course a staple of the Belmont Stakes. Souvenir shops like Impressions of Saratoga which sells hats, saw tourist crowds outside of normal business hours.
“Many people were ready to shop at 7:30 in the morning. Normally they're not out until 9:00 [A.M.] which is when we normally open. But they were coming downtown to get their coffees and then they wanted to shop” said Impressions co-owner Maddy Zanetti.
In December NEWS10 reported that from hotels to motels to the holiday inn, rooms were at or near capacity months before racehorses hit the race course. One such hotel was The Adelphi. Today, Helen Watson who manages both Adelphi and Morrissey’s Restaurant, says her business far surpassed regular track season numbers.
"We were seeing the volume that was going on in Morrissey’s and the hotel. We’ve never seen anything like it before," said Watson.
Mayor John Safford says he hopes Belmont will further expand Saratoga’s year-round economy.
"We used to be…just…you know…an August place to be" the Mayor recalled. "And we find that when new people come to town because of the Belmont, about a third will come back," he continued.
The Belmont Stakes is a twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It will be returning to the spa city next year. Celtic’s manager says they’re already looking ahead.