Saratoga Springs Dog-Friendly Downtown

Like Dog-Friendly Downtown on Facebook!

2011-11-11T10:22:00.000-08:00

You are now able to "Like" Dog Friendly Downtown on Facebook! Like us to find out our current events and happenings. Go to:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dog-Friendly-Downtown-Program/231083203574978?ref=ts

Holiday Shopping

2011-11-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to support Dog-Friendly Downtown stores as you start your Holiday shopping list this year. From chic women's boutiques, to an esthetician, a hardware store and a liquor store...enjoy Holiday shopping in Downtown Saratoga with your dog by your side.

Patriotic Pooch Parade

2011-06-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

Calling all Pups...Monday, July 4th, is our Patriotic Pooch Parade. We will be marching down Broadway as part of Saratoga's All American Celebration. You MUST register at Sloppy Kisses by Friday, July 1st. Entry fee is $5.00 and proceeds go to the DOG-FRIENDLY DOWNTOWN PROGRAM. All pre-registered dogs will receive a goodie bag at check-in. So come out and dress your pup in red, white, and blue and march for patriotism and a GREAT cause! For more info call 587-2207 or 383-0103. Check in is at 9:30 am on North Broadway between Greenfield Ave and N. Circular Street (in front of the Riggi Mansion). Looking forward to a FUN day!

DFD Spring Event Scavenger Photo Hunt Ballot

2011-05-11T08:09:00.000-07:00

Just released! Download the DFD Spring Event Scavenger Photo Hunt Ballot here!

Collect at least 7 correct Scavenger Hunt photo matches between 11am and 3pm, from any of the participating DFD Member Businesses listed. Submit your ballot for a winner’s choice raffle at the Doggie Yappy Hour at Ice House (70 Putnam St) at 3pm where our Honorary Chairs, WNYT-13 Anchor Dan Bazile and his dog Dax will present prizes. You must be present at the Yappy Hour to win!

Feeling like a champion? Correctly match all 17 photos with their corresponding businesses and be entered to win The Grand Prize!

Participating businesses:

A. 80 West

B. Brindisi’s Restaurant

C. Celtic Treasures

D. Clothes Line

E. Compliments to the Chef

F. Crafters Gallery

G. Crush and Cask

H. Encounter

I. Gemset of Saratoga

J. Impressions of Saratoga

K. Just Plain Good

L. Mary Martin & Co.

M. Roohan Realty

N. Saratoga Arts Center

O. Saratoga Hilton

P. Silverado

Q. Sloppy Kisses

While enjoying the Scavenger Hunt with y

our dog by your side, take advantage of the 15% OFF discount at the following DFD businesses:

80 West, Brindisi's Restaurant, Celtic Treasures, Clothes Line, Compliments to the Chef, Crafters Gallery, Crush and Cask, Encounter, Gemset of Saratoga, Impressions of Saratoga, Just Plain Good, Mary Martin & Co., Saratoga Arts Center, Sloppy Kisses and The Wine Bar!

Please ask each business about their restrictions.

DFD Spring Event Announced!

2011-05-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

Come to the Dog-Friendly Downtown Spring Event on Saturday, May 14th in Downtown Saratoga Springs. Stroll, shop, eat and drink with your dog by your side. Get great discounts and win amazing prizes from Saratoga’s best businesses.

From 11am to 3pm, there will be a dog-related Scavenger Hunt at participating businesses.

Then, from 3pm to 5pm, join us for Doggie Yappy Hour at The IceHouse (70 Putnam Street).

The official Scavenger Hunt Ballot and list of participating businesses to be posted soon!

Spring is here!

2011-04-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! Word on the street is that there is an upcoming Dog-Friendly Downtown event! Check back soon for news!

Happy Howl-O-Ween

2010-11-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who participated in the Sloppy Kisses 5th Annual Canine Costume Parade/Contest held on Sunday, October 31, 2010.

We had 59 dogs entered into the costume contest and hundreds on hand that walked in the parade and witnessed the festivities. Over $330 was raised in support of the Dog-Friendly Downtown Program. Thank you all for supporting this program and for getting out and having funwith your dog!

Photos courtesy of Red Cottage Photography

A Dog-Friendly Saratoga Summer

2010-08-17T10:06:00.001-07:00

Check out this great story that CBS6 did on the DFD Program.

Click here: Growing Trend: Dining With Your Dog

Thanks to Dave Pedinotti and Andy Brindisi for their support and for welcoming dogs into the outdoor seating areas of their downtown restaurants, The Mouzon House and Brindisi's Restaurant!

The Dog-Friendly Downtown Program would also like to welcome another restaurant and bar to the group, The Wine Bar. Visitors can often see owner, Melissa Evans, walking her adorable dog outside their 417 Broadway

location.

DFD Launch Event Day and GoPetFriendly.com

2010-05-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who attended the Dog-Friendly Downtown Launch Event this past Saturday! Scavenger Hunt participants, business owners, dog-lovers and Putnam Den visitors all enjoyed this doggie day out. Special thanks to GoPetFriendly.com, Mayor Scott Johnson, his wife Julie and their new dog Chase, our event sponsor The Adirondack Trust Company and program sponsors Sloppy Kisses and Saratoga Arts!

This was the blog entry that GoPetFriendly.com posted after the event! What a great review. Thanks!

Saratoga Springs for Dog-Friendly Businesses

by ROD BURKERT on MAY 17, 2010

GoPetFriendly is infatuated with Saratoga Springs, NY. Though we were only in town for a few days, we came away feeling this town is one of the most pet friendly cities we’ve had the good fortune to visit. Read on to understand why.

Lying at the southeastern edge of the Adirondacks, and known mostly for all things equine, Saratoga Springs is extending the love to canines. As we reported on Friday, the community was officially launching its Dog-Friendly Downtown initiative on Saturday. Starting almost a year ago with just 12 businesses, the number of shops identifying and marketing themselves as dog friendly has grown to 35. And just to be clear, dogs are allowed INSIDE if you see the above decal on a storefront – you don’t have to ask.

So on a radiant Saturday, teams of people and pooches sniffed out 23 businesses (listed at the end of this post) participating in a dog-friendly scavenger hunt. Amy and Ty parked the Winnebag

o in front of Sloppy Kisses and got to meet and introduce GoPetFriendly to the dog lovin’ town-folk. Meanwhile, Buster and I hit the streets. Our mission: track down the answers to 23 dog-related questions specific to each of the businesses.

I am happy to report that Buster could not have performed any better that day. I’ve previously written that Buster has his challenges, one of which is meeting other dogs when he is on leash. However, while walking the city blocks, I got the ultimate compliment. A woman, whose two dogs were barking loudly and pulling to get at a non-plussed Buster, asked me how I managed to train my dog so well! I am not sure what aura I was projecting that day, but I wish I could’ve bottled it. Oh yeah … we got all 23 questions answered, too!

After the scavenger hunt, answer sheets were tallied and winners were announced at a yappy hour held at Putnam Den. Prizes were awarded by Mayor Scott Johnson, who attended the event with his wife, Julie, and their newly rescued Cocker Spaniel, Chase. Buster and I won a gift bag of cool doggie items donated by Impressions of Saratoga that we’ll be giving away – stay tuned for details.

For more information and pictures, visit: gopetfriendly.com

What's Happening Saratoga? The DFD Launch Event!

2010-05-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Check out this 'What's Happening' video from Saratoga.com about this Saturday's Dog-Friendly Downtown Launch Event! Check the last post for more details!

DFD Scavenger Hunt Ballot

2010-04-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

Click and print BOTH pages of the DFD Launch Event Scavenger Hunt Ballot. Ballots will also be available at Sloppy Kisses, Saratoga.

DFD Launch Event, May 15, 2010

11am - 3pm: Scavenger Hunt

Visit member businesses throughout the day, collecting answers to Scavenger Hunt Ballot questions. Some businesses will be offering DFD Launch Event Day promotions and sales!

3pm – 5pm: Doggy Yappy Hour at Putnam Den
Submit your ballots for a chance to win prizes donated by DFD member businsses. Prizes will be awarded by our honorary chairs, Mayor Scott Johnson, his wife Julie and their dog Chase!

The Dog-Friendly Downtown Launch Event

2010-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

With over 30 member businesses, we are making Saratoga a destination, not only for two-legged customers, but also those with four legs! We are happy to announce the DFD Launch Event on Saturday May 15, 2010 from 11am - 5pm.

11am – 3pm: Scavenger Hunt
Participants will visit several member businesses throughout the day, collecting answers to Scavenger Hunt Ballot questions from each business they visit

Some businesses will be offering DFD Launch Event Day promotions and sales!

3pm – 5pm: Doggy Yappy Hour at Putnam Den
Participants will submit their ballots for a drawing
A local radio/TV personality and their dog will be recognized at the event
Radio/TV personality will select winners from those who’ve submitted completed Scavenger Hunt Ballots
Prizes will be raffled off in a winners-choice drawing

Prior to Event:
Download/print a DFD Scavenger Hunt Ballot (coming soon!) here at the DFD website or at Sloppy Kisses.
The ballot will include a DFD Map with business addresses.
All Scavenger Hunt participating businesses will be listed with a question specific to their business (E.g. At Sloppy Kisses, the question may be “What is the owners dog’s name?”)
Businesses will post answers to Scavenger Hunt questions at their location (at a front counter or in the window)
Scavenger Hunt participants will be required to visit 7 member-businesses, collecting answers to questions pertaining to that business for their ballot to be eligible for entry into a raffle.
A special prize will be granted to Scavenger Hunt participants who visit ALL participating DFD businesses!

We are looking forward to celebrating DFD’s official launch and hope you are too!!

If you're a member business and want more information how to get involved, please email Adrianna at aflax@saratoga-arts.org

Smooch Your Pooch / DFD Fundraiser a Success!

2010-02-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who attended the Smooch Your Pooch Valentines Event! We raised $600 for the Dog-Friendly Downtown Program! Thank you to the member businesses who donated food, raffle items and continue to eagerly involve themselves with the DFD Program! Thank you Putnam Den for hosting and to everyone who attended, both two and four-legged! We're looking forward to a Spring program launch event for the DFD Program. More information to come!

Smooch Your Pooch Valentine's Party and DFD Fundraiser

2010-01-21T11:43:00.000-08:00

Join Sloppy Kisses and the Dog-Friendly Downtown Program at Putnam Den for the Smooch Your Pooch Valentine's Party and Dog-Friendly Downtown Fundraiser. Our newest member business, Putnam Den will be hosting the event on Thursday, February 4th, 6:30pm - 9:00pm at their location, 63a Putnam Street, Saratoga Springs. Dress up your dog for a night of drinks, games and doggie fun. Tickets are $10 per person (available at both Sloppy Kisses locations). Tickets will be available at the door the night of the event for $15 per person. DOGS ARE FREE. Proceeds from the event benefit the Dog-Friendly Downtown Program. The Union Grill will provide finger food and Image Photography will be capturing the evenings festivities with doggie photos. There will be a raffle with prizes donated by various Dog-Friendly Downtown Member Businesses. The night will culminate with the naming of a Prince and Princess Pup of the evening. We are excited to be teaming with Putnam Den for the first time and hope to see you and your pooch there.

More New Member Businesses

2009-12-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

Stop into one of our new, Dog-Friendly, Member Businesses!

Gideon Putnam Resort, joined November

Gemset of Saratoga, joined November

Mouzon House Restaurant, joined November

True Elegance Boutique, joined December

Now you can have a drink, shop for clothes and gems and even have a place to rest your feet, all with your four-legged friend, at these new member businesses. With 28 member businesses, The Dog-Friendly Downtown program is really taking off!

Welcoming New Participants

2009-11-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

The Dog-Friendly Downtown program would like to welcome several new participating businesses, including:

Aggies Boutique, joined in November
Allerdice Building Supply Inc., joined in October
Celtic Treasures, joined in November
Clothes Horse, joined in October
Clothesline, joined in October
Compliments to the Chef, joined in October
Haute Mama Maternity, joined in October
Hunt LTD., joined in October
Pink Paddock, joined in October
Roohan Realty, joined in November
Speck Boutique, joined in October
The Adirondack Trust Company, joined in November

We are thrilled to have added so many new member businesses so far this Fall.

We hope to keep adding members throughout the Fall and Winter, with an expected launch even coming in the Spring. If you know of a business in downtown Saratoga Springs that is dog-friendly, let them know about the program!

Dog-Friendly Downtown Press Release

2009-10-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

Melanie and I (Adrianna), have sent out a press release officially announcing the Dog-Friendly Downtown program to local media. If you know of another dog-friendly business in downtown Saratoga Springs, please let them know about the program. They can contact either Melanie or myself.

The PR is as follows:

(Saratoga Springs, NY) – Sloppy Kisses, the area’s premier dog bakery and designer pet boutique, and Saratoga Arts are launching a Dog-Friendly Downtown (DFD) program in Saratoga Springs. Anyone who strolls Downtown Saratoga can’t help but notice the number of dogs enjoying their daily walk. However, dog owners are somewhat limited as to where they can go with their dogs in tow. “The goal of the DFD program is to expand dog hospitability to more businesses,” commented Melanie Dallas, owner of Sloppy Kisses which has welcomed four-legged shoppers into her Broadway boutique since opening in February 2006. “By welcoming dogs, business owners can attract more customers into their stores that hopefully will result in an increase in sales,” said Dallas.

Dog owners will be able to identify dog-friendly businesses via a window decal that will be prominently displayed by participating businesses (see attached DFD decal). In addition, participating businesses will be listed on the Dog-Friendly Downtown website (www.dogfriendlydowntown.blogspot.com), included in a map of downtown denoting dog-friendly businesses, listed on local shopping websites as well as national pet-friendly travel sites. There is no cost to participate in the DFD program. Sloppy Kisses and Saratoga Arts underwrite program costs.

The DFD program is open to all Downtown Saratoga Springs businesses including retail establishments, hotels, restaurants with outdoor dining options and even art galleries. Saratoga Arts at The Arts Center has a dog-friendly gallery space where visitors can see some of the region’s highest-quality contemporary art. To participate in the DFD program, contact Melanie Dallas at Sloppy Kisses (587- 2207) or Adrianna Flax at the Saratoga Arts (584-4132). Any restrictions that may be required by participating businesses will be noted on all DFD literature and on the DFD website.

A DFD launch event is being planned for Spring 2010. Interested businesses must sign-up by December 1st to be included in the initial rollout of the DFD program.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Melanie Dallas, (518) 587-2207 or Adrianna Flax, (518) 584-4132

New Member-Businesses

2009-06-22T10:38:00.001-07:00

Check out The Dog-Friendly Downtown Map of Saratoga! You'll see new businesses being added all the time. Some of our most recent members are: Saratoga Coffee Traders which allows dogs to share in their outdoor seating space, 80 West - a fashion boutique on Broadway whose owner, Barbara Macina, just celebrated her store's opening this month and Mary Martin & Co, providing amazing spa services!

For our entire list of member-businesses check out our members section to the right of our posts.

A Note to Our Member-Businesses

2009-06-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

Due to some unforeseen stumbling blocks, the Dog-Friendly Downtown program has recently been through a few changes. In its essences, the DFD Program will stay as proposed: a program for Saratoga Spring Businesses to welcome patrons, both two and four-legged.

What is changing?

We have decided to proceed in rolling out Dog-Friendly Downtown without the sponsorship of the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association. Opening the program to all local businesses will benefit the DFD and its member-businesses in the long run.

The DFD program will continue to be sponsored by Sloppy Kisses and Saratoga Arts as we; Melanie and Adrianna have been the driving forces behind it. As a component of sponsorship, Sloppy Kisses will be offering FREE decals to any business in Downtown Saratoga Springs that would like to participate!

How can I stay involved?

If you are already a member-business that joined as a free, sponsored participant you may continue as such. If you joined the DFD Program as a sponsor and would like to continue participating as a sponsor then you are also encouraged to do so. If, for any reason, you would like to discontinue your participated in DFD and would like a reimbursement of either your membership or sponsor fee, please contact Adrianna at 584-4132.

What does my membership or sponsorship get me?

All members and sponsors will be listed this website. A link will be attached to your business’ name, forwarding visitors to your website. Your business will also be part of the Dog-Friendly Downtown Map, a clickable and easy to navigate map of Downtown Saratoga Springs’ dog-friendly locations.

Participation at the Sponsorship level entitles you to all of the privileges above, as well as your logo presence. Your logo will also be printed on all Dog-Friendly Downtown marketing materials. Sponsorship is available at a one-time fee of $100.

What is in DFD’s near future?

All member-businesses will be invited to participate in the DFD launch event, that we hope to hold this summer. We are also planning to get Saratoga Springs listed locally, regionally and nationally on travel sites and in publications as a dog-friendly locale.

We appreciate your support and enthusiasm as we prepare to launch this unique program. We have no doubt that our member-businesses, locals and visitors will all benefit from the presence of the Dog-Friendly Downtown Program in Saratoga Springs.

Become a participating Dog-Friendly Business!

2009-06-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

The How and Why?

Receive a FREE window decal alerting visitors to your Dog-Friendly status!
Businesses will be listed online in a Dog-Friendly Database with links to their sites.
Create goodwill among the community!
Dogs are admitted into businesses contingent upon business owner approval.
Attract new clients and customers traveling with dogs!
Market your business to dog-lovers.
We want the Saratoga Springs Dog-Friendly Downtown program listed on local, regional and national Dog-Friendly travel sites and in publications!