Easy, breezy
We have a lot to talk about, Saratoga. (Photos by Seen in Saratoga)
From the editor
Hey, Dispatchers,
I don't think I was properly prepared for the Costco fervor our top correspondent, Kathleen Willcox, experienced on her first field trip to the brand-new Guilderland outpost.
“I’m obsessed,” she told me afterward.
And judging from the “overheards” she gathered while shopping, she’s not the only one.
Raise your hands: How many have packed for the track or back-to-school with Costco finds?
Let’s get to it.
— Abby
In this issue:
🀄 You were all in on Mahjong faster than you can say "red dragon."
🥦 Costco vs BJ’s (ouch)
🍕 Portnoy’s timing
🎨 A little bird told me…
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🀄 Mahjong fever! (Save the dates) 🀄
Thanks for voting in Tuesday’s poll. Wow — 92% of you are interested in learning how to play. Our first two dates for beginner’s classes at Whitman Brewing (with excellent teachers) will be Sunday, August 30 and Wednesday, September 2. Signups will begin by Monday — to unlock first dibs, respond to this email and I’ll send you the link as soon as we’re live.
Open play events will follow — can’t wait!
🥦 TOP STORY
Wholesale shopping showdown.
(Plus: the drama of shopping at the brand-new Costco — and everything you need to know.)
OH: Overheard while Kathleen was shopping at Costco for the first time: “OMG the cheese. THE CHEESE!” — accompanied by “The Hills Are Alive”-style frolicking around the fromage.
For me, the only thing that BJ’s beats Costco on is location. (BJ’s is about 10 minutes from my house, while Costco is 35.) For years, BJ’s has been the compromise we’ve all had to live with for large-quantity toilet paper purchases, plus the occasional rotisserie chicken and vat of organic spinach.
So when, after years of rumors, Costco arrived in Guilderland (just a 5-minute drive from Crossgates) on August 6, I greeted the news with the same level of excitement that I do upon meeting a kitten.
Reader, my expectations were not just met, they were exceeded.
A brief summary of my delighted discoveries:
The Guilderland store’s 163,000 square feet are well laid-out and easy to navigate. A gas station, pharmacy, optical department, tire center and hearing-aid center share the same complex.
Vats of organic lettuce are about $1 cheaper at Costco (farmer’s market lettuce is vastly superior, obviously, but …).
The pasties are excellent, and surprisingly cute!
The smoked salmon and frozen fish is top-notch.
There are a variety of fun snack options (organic roasted seaweed, chocolate-covered almonds, and a treasure trove of candy bars jacked up with protein)
There are fermented products galore, including kimchi, at a ridiculously value-driven price point.
I’m not the only obsessive. Overheard comments included:
“So many gluten-free options!”
“My husband is going to FREAK OUT when I bring this pulled pork home.”
“There are more options at BJ’s, but the options are worse.” (Ouch. But probably true: Costcos offer 4,000 or so products on average, but they are more curated and well-reviewed than the 7,000 at BJ’s).
“Dude. I forgot about the $1.50 hot dog and soda special.” (Dude, you’re not the only one.)
What to know:
There are two membership options: the $65 Gold Star or $130 Executive. Both can be used online or in warehouses, but the Exec has more perks. You need a membership to set foot in the store and purchase food, most goods, and gas. You can purchase prescriptions from the pharmacy without a membership.
🏇 TRACK REPORT
As I write this, news broke that jockey Manny Franco won Race 2 today — and tied his career high for wins at Saratoga. Congrats!
The second annual Corgi Cup returns on Sunday. (If you, like me, fell hard for the wheelchair-bound Abbey last year, you’ll need to read.)
Trainer Angel Quiroz, who’s being investigated for some major violations regarding five horses that raced here and at Monmouth Park, today had a horse come up positive for albuterol, reports Daily Racing Form.
🍕 PORTNOY AND POPE’S
As we announced on Tuesday, the beloved Pope’s Pizza is closing up shop, with its last day scheduled for Saturday, September 12. We’re willing to bet Dave Portnoy will be one of the many ordering one last pie from the fan fave pizzeria. Just two days before the mind-melting announcement, he told middle-school entrepreneur Alice Dalton — who was selling waters outside the race course — that Pope’s was his favorite in town. (In 2013, Portnoy gave Pope’s an 8.2 during an episode of his popular One Bite review series.)
After reading the Dispatch, Alice’s mom, Robin, called to order a pizza for the fam for dinner. “I’m so sad they’re closing,” she told me.
📌 ICYMI…
📰 IN BRIEF
Fasig Tipton ‘shattered’ past sales records, writes BloodHorse.
Division Street Elementary has a new principal, reports NEWS10.
🎨 Everybody’s talking about…
The Saratoga Arts’ 10”x10” exhibit — which opened in late July and features loads of local artists — has proven extremely popular.
The premise? “All the same size, none the same style.”
Think more than 360 creative works — which is all for sale, although many have already sold — all from the community.
And the pricing is affordable: Most are $100 bucks.
Pop in before the exhibit closes September 5.
For more info, visit saratogaarts.org.
Yes: 2026 “Nope” 8”x8” acrylic and ink on watercolor paper for the Saratoga Arts show. (Photo by @poemdexter on Instagram.)
🔮 FEATURED EVENT: Haunted in New York is here at last!
All ages! Paranormal and metaphysical experience Saturday, August 15 at the City Center.
Meet Travel Channel stars
Sharpen your detective skills
Experience a Hypnosis Chamber
Be the first “paracon” ever to see this paranormal tool
And so much more!
👉 To grab your $10 ticket (also available at the door) for this special August 15 event, visit Haunted New York.
Keep reading about Haunted NY!
👉This collab with the Haunted in New York is brought to you in partnership with Evolve Today events. Got an upcoming event you’d like to share? Partner with the Dispatch!