Written by: Kathryn Hook
"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney
So far, in 2023, our "little shop" has become quite the wonderland for locals. Lately, we have met folks traveling from Canada, Vermont, Connecticut, and downstate as well. We hope that each year memories will continue to be made here at Finishing Touches. We now offer four great businesses in one location and we can't wait to tell you about "The Backyard" experience!
Our friends list has grown and we want to share all the goodies with you. Everything from the smallest details to our future expansive plans. If you haven't told all your friends yet, please do so because we love meeting each of you and there is much more to come!
Finishing Touches: "The treasure chest of living".
Have you heard the saying, "home should be the treasure chest of living"? Finishing Touches was built on the fabric that a house can be whatever you make it and that we can supply those final details that make it a "home". We quite literally converted a home originally built in the 1800's into the most unique shopping experience. You'll find artisanal gifts for everyone! In July, guests seem to adore our collection of the Shannon Martin cocktail napkins and cards which feature sepia-toned family photos adorned with comical quotes.
"It's never too late to be what you want to be. Unless you want to be younger, then you're screwed."
We love to find special items from all over so that you don't have to. From eclectic vintage copper tea kettles, to rescued jewelry, to modern upholstered armchairs, and equestrian fine art, we have a bit of everything just for you.
The Coffee Bar
Life is what happens between coffee and wine and luckily, we have both. Well, okay so maybe we don't supply the bubbly but we do offer wine & cheese gifts so that has to count. *wink*wink* We invested in the finest coffee since 1975. Good news - it's local! If you're looking for an afternoon pick-me-up latte or a double shot of espresso slowly poured over 12oz of the smoothest vanilla soft-serve and then topped with dark chocolate covered espresso beans, we got you! Offering at least eighteen traditional beverages, nine different flavor options, oat and almond milk; The Coffee Bar is the place you want to start your day.
We even partnered with local business owner, The Sugar Fairy Bakery of Mechanicville/Malta. She bakes the most delicious orange cranberry muffins, thickest-fudgiest triple chocolate brownies in all the land. Let's not even talk about her XL chocolate chunk cookies and the chewiest oatmeal raisin cookies...swoon!
Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Shop
Someone said you can't buy happiness but you can buy ice cream and that's pretty much the same thing. If you've followed our journey from day one, you know that our tiny shop that offered soft-serve has grown to 24 flavors of Perry's hard ice cream, Flavor Burst and Dole Whip soft-serve, and endless topping options. We have shakes for the shake-lovers. We have our classic orange creamsicle floats and banana splits galore. Although our menu choices seem to be longer than summer has been, you guys have loved...and I mean loved, the brownie and cheesecake sundae and our newest, limited-edition pretzel flurry.
The pretzels are five inch salted pretzel sticks, double-dipped in milk chocolate and sprinkled with rainbow sprinkles and a triple chocolate drizzle. We didn't forget the caramel sauce either, that's in there too!
Several patrons asked if we had any dairy-free and we're happy to say that we absolutely thought of you too. Our Dole Whip soft-serve is lactose, dairy, and gluten-free with no cholesterol. Our favorite is the raspberry and lemon swirl on a gluten-free cone. A guilty, guilt-free snack even for the health conscious.
What are cooking down there, Chocolate Moonshine? No, but thanks for the name!
If you missed our last newsletter introducing our newest adventure, Chocolate Moonshine, you can find it here on our blog. You won't want to miss the Blueberry Explosions that totally lives up to its name. Nearly 30 years and Chocolate Moonshine has been recognized by some of the world's famous chocolatiers from Hershey to Godiva. Finishing Touches is the only Upstate NY location carrying the finest Belgian Chocolates and the world's best fudge. The fudge is gluten-free and made with 30% less sugar. You'll never find another product that tastes like this!
Chris and his team at Chocolate Moonshine have perfected the small-batch method using copper kettle pots, oak paddles, and an open flame. The love and care put into each loaf of fudge creates the creamiest, smoothest texture that melts on your palette. Every guest so far has been amazed at the difference in quality and truly the product speaks for itself.
If you've missed the recent publication on our expansion you can get the scoop at Saratoga.com or click here. We simply cannot forget to mention the coolest, prettiest, tastiest gift you'll ever find for someone, the Moonshine Bars! A soft Belgian chocolate ganache center with a hard shell chocolate, hand-painted with French cocoa butter. We have yet to find these anywhere else and they will definitely be the talk of the party.
You have to check it out!
"The Backyard" Hangout
Together, with our loyal guests, we have created quite the backyard hangout. There is nothing more satisfying than to look out from the window of the shop and see thirty children with camp counselors in the backyard playing with hoolah-hoops and Jenga blocks and running around the yard having the time of their lives. It fills our hearts to know that you've thoroughly enjoyed your summers here on our landscaped lawn. During the summer you may have noticed some improvements that have made Finishing Touches your home for memories with your families. From the life-sized chess set to the cutest toilets in town we've taken every inch of the yard and made it something special. Enough words let me just show you!
We're looking forward to the fall with pop-up events happening, the First Responders Appreciation day happening the third Wednesday of every month and so much more! We're thinking local events, wedding and baby shower celebrations under the tent in the backyard and the cutest kids camp corner which we'll tell you all about when it's complete!
Stay tuned and we thank you for your business.