SCHENECTADY, NY (FEB. 27, 2014) Two Upper Union Street, Schenectady businesses, both owned by entrepreneurial women, are expanding. Amazing synergy has followed the two. Natalie Smarro is moving her very popular Trendy Tots: A Modern Children’s Consignment Store to 906 Woodland Avenue; tripling the size of the shop. Photographer Kristen Bordonaro, the owner of SophiaSabella Photography, is moving from a small studio at 1772 Upper Union Street to the building vacated by Trendy Tots at 1000 A Baker Ave. Both businesses are open for business and are holding grand re-opening celebrations on Saturday, March 8th.
The newly expanded Trendy Tots will continue to consign and sell the most popular name brand clothing sizes newborn to juniors. In addition to children’s clothing. As part of the expansion, Trendy Tots will now consign and sell small & large infant gear items (strollers, swings, high chairs, bouncers, carriers, boosters), toys, ride-on toys, bikes, scooters, games, and puzzles, suitable for children of all ages. Trendy Tots will expand their support to local artisans by increasing boutique vendors from 10 local artisans to 15. Boutique items include jewelry, hair accessories, tutus, hand crafted dresses, super hero capes, body care products, home décor and MORE!
Kristen Bordonaro, owner/photographer of SophiaSabellaPhotography, got the extra encouragement she needed to begin her business when Natalie Smarro invited her to place her portfolio in Trendy Tots. Now, almost 3.5 years later, Kristen is excited to expand her photography studio and move into the very place where her first portfolio was! SophiaSabellaPhotography specializes in newborn, children and family photography and is now booking regular sessions as well as spring mini sessions with baby chicks (March 15-22)!
Both Natalie and Kristen are delighted to be able to remain on Upper Union Street as they expand their businesses.
“The Upper Union Street area is home to my family as well as my business,” says Natalie Smarro. “I am proud to live and own a business in a district with so many options for families to enjoy. I knew in growing my business that our location in the business district was a contributing factor to our success. Our patrons love that they can shop with Trendy Tots and ‘make a day’ of their visit by enjoying lunch at Union Café or Gershon’s Deli and then pop into the aquarium and peek at fish, crabs, and snakes. The Festivals are memory makers for our patrons as well. I am excited to start a new chapter of Trendy Tots in the business district of Upper Union Street. ”
“My husband and I moved from our home in California to the Upper Union Street area 7 years ago,’ said Kristen Bordonaro, “and I could not be happier! As a mother of 3 young children, I am blessed to have the best of both worlds (Mommy & Entrepreneur) by living and working all in the Upper Union Street area! I look forward to this new expansion and am very excited to see what’s in store next for SophiaSabellaPhotography” !
“This is such a fine example of the camaraderie and entrepreneurial spirit that thrives among our Upper Union Street businesses owners,” said Marie DeBrocky, Owner of Head to Tail Pet Wellness Center and new chair of the Upper Union Street Business Improvement District. “So many businesses, including my own, have gotten their start here and, in time, expanded significantly. Upper Union is a great place to start and grow a business.”
The web sites are: www.trendytots.info/ www.sophiasabellaphotography.comand www.upperunionbid.org.
The Upper Union Street Business Improvement District (BID) is composed of some 90 businesses located in the City of Schenectady along Union Street between Garner Ave. and the Niskayuna Town line at Van Antwerp Road. The BID, which is primarily funded as a special tax assessment district, has worked closely with the City of Schenectady and the Metroplex Development Authority of Schenectady County on street scape and façade improvement projects. The district sponsors special events, and supports beautification and marketing projects in the Upper Union Street area. The district is thriving and has a 90% business occupancy rate.
Media Contact: Joanne M. DeVoe 518 573-0773
Nell Burrows, Executive Director, 518-772-9373