IMPRESSIONS OF SARATOGA
As much a way of life
as a way of making a living

By Ann Hauprich

One might say that creating lasting impressions of Saratoga has become as much a way of life as a way of making a living for Marianne and David Barker in the course of the past quarter century.

While proud of the fact that their specialty shop at the corner of Broadway in Phila in downtown Saratoga Springs has earned a reputation for offering gifts and souvenirs designed to make a lasting impression on the recipients, the Barkers are even more proud of the priceless gift their staff gives to customers: good old-fashioned service with a smile.

"First impressions of the store's decor and how the inventory is displayed are very important, of course, but we feel that the people behind the counter have made an equally important impression on those who have patronized our store over the past 25 years," says Marianne. "We're really lucky to have such great people who go out of their way not just to know the regulars by name, but to genuinely want to help them find just the right keepsake."

Some -- like Darcy Reynolds, Sara Buchynski and Kim Tribley, who have been with the store 20, 15 and 12 years, respectively -- have become like family to the Barkers.

In one case, all five children from the same family (the offspring of Saratoga Springs High School Principal Frank Crowley and his wife, Margaret) have taken turns on the payroll.

Ironically, one of the first impressions that Saratoga made on the Barkers when they first visited from Cobleskill searching for a nice location from which to set up a silk screening operation three decades ago was that it would be a great spot to have a business during the racing season.

"As hard as it is to believe, property in downtown Saratoga was relatively inexpensive in those days. There were all kinds of empty store fronts along Broadway and many second floors of businesses were vacant. The notion of running a thriving year-round business specializing in souvenirs would have struck just about everyone as ludicrous."

Suffice to say a lot can happen in almost 30 years -- including some fascinating career changes on the part of the Barkers! The bottom line is that with more than 50,000 items on the Impressions of Saratoga inventory list today, it¹s easy to understand why the couple says there's "never a dull moment² at any time of the year. In fact, the giving season that spans from Thanksgiving till New Year's is starting to close in on July and August as the period with the greatest sales.

Throw in Valentine's Day in February, Easter in March or April, graduations and weddings as well as Mother¹s Day and Father¹s Day during May and June . . . and everything from Back-To-School to Back-to-Work in September and Hallowe¹en in October before rendering YOUR impressions of the pace that must be kept inside this retail place.

But wait! There are also off-season tourists and convention delegates and you begin to wonder how the Barkers can look and feel so vibrant. (Drinking the Saratoga mineral water they sell, perhaps?) What is it these customers are looking for?

While it's not possible to list all 50,000-plus items for sale, the choices range in price from a few bucks for a variety of fun kids¹ souvenirs (from writing supplies decorated with equine motifs to flip-flops with horses on them) to a few thousand dollars for a kid's a finely crafted doll housemade by Marianne's 84-year-old father, Hans H. Hustedt.

In between are Saratoga keepsakes of every description from collectible books and CDs by Saratoga authors and musicians to paintings to posters and greeting cards featuring popular places and landmarks and, of course, t-shirts (more than 50 different designs at last count!) sporting the images of such long-time racing legends as Seabiscuit and Secretariat as well as popular newcomers Funny Cide and Smarty Jones.

There are also a wide variety of toys and games that have Saratoga themes from hobby horses and jockey puppets to tintype carousels not to mention window signs reading "Gone Ridin" and wall plaques with such sayings as "Horses leaves hoofprints on your heart."

More delicate gift items range from almond scented, horseshoe-shaped soap, unique skin care products from The Spa City's historic Menges & Curtis drug store to designer jewelry inspired by local landmarks to fine equestrian porcelain?

The assortment of food and beverage items is equally tempting. Where else under one roof can one find everything from Saratoga-made mustard to Impressions own dark horse chocolates to bottled Saratoga mineral water topped with a keepsake ornament?

A personal favorite item now on sale is a woven throw blanket that can also be used as a wall hanging that was designed by horsewoman Marianne. (See sidebar and related photos.) "If you can't love what you're doing, then why bother doing it? Dave and I are here because we love Saratoga and love doing business with others who feel the same way about this city." Wonderful words! We're impressed!

To learn more please visit www.impressionssaratoga.com