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Albany’s next up-and-coming neighborhood? Get to DelSo

February 24, 2026

Happy Tuesday, everyone! This time, we managed to hit send on the newsletter before the sun dipped below the Albany skyline 👏 

This week, we’re spotlighting Albany’s rising DelSo neighborhood—where the buzz is building once again. If it’s been a minute since you’ve explored this stretch of the city, consider this your sign to go. You just might find a new favorite shop, restaurant, or dispensary. The Cheese Traveler and Bitchin’ Donuts are reason enough to make the trip.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

In the same shopping center as The Cheese Traveler and Bitchin’ Donuts, The Den is a new private event space in the DelSo neighborhood 📷️ via Instagram

Albany’s next up-and-coming neighborhood? Try DelSo

Something is happening along Delaware Avenue in Albany.

The neighborhood is percolating with a low-key buzz that feels like it’s on the cusp of blowing up in a big way.

Here are some recent developments happening in this part of the city, which encompasses what’s known as DelSo (Delaware Avenue South):

  • The opening of Schenectady-based Cannabicity at 489 Delaware Ave in the City Square Plaza, which had been looking pretty depressing for awhile. Now the plaza is seeing better days. “The entire center is going to be upgraded… We're investing a lot of money in there, and it's going to be an improvement for the neighborhood,” one of the owners tells the Albany Business Review.

  • Just down the road, The Cheese Traveler (a longtime local gem we profiled just recently) has been joined by a couple of new neighbors—Bitchin’ Donuts, newly relocated from Lark Street; and The Den, an up-and-coming event space from Nicole’s Catering.

  • The reopening of Michelina Pizzeria at 376 Delaware Ave. The wood-fired pizza joint used to be one of our favorites before it closed last summer. The new owner, Karlo Busanic, a private chef, is aiming to serve up pies by mid-March.

  • The opening of Mashmore Potato Lab at 274 Delaware Ave. This fast-food restaurant offers handcrafted potato bowls, loaded fries, and slow-cooked toppings like garlic honey BBQ chicken. We tried it ourselves a couple of weeks ago and it’s pretty tasty!

  • The success of Emack & Bolio’s at 366 Delaware Ave. The ice cream chain is opening a second Capital Region location in Latham. Btw, owner Orah LeHockey’s family used to operate the Spectrum 8 Theatres and the defunct New World Bistro, both located on Delaware Ave. “It feels special to me that I can carry on the tradition of staying in that neighborhood and providing joyful services to people,” she tells the TU.

The DelSo neighborhood has seen its ups and downs since longtime resident Silvia Lilly first popularized that name around 2010 and even convinced Google Maps to give it an official designation. (We couldn’t find a contact for Silvia—if anyone knows her, please get us in touch! She still blogs at DelSoBlogger).

Gone is All Good Bakers and the Mingle, but The Cheese Traveler is still going strong and we’re seeing a new generation of businesses pop up.

“It's exciting to watch the growth of DelSo and the Delaware Avenue neighborhood. We’re all small, mighty businesses who just want to make Albany better and cooler than ever,” The Cheese Traveler’s Mary Rizzo tells us.

Keep an eye out for this lively stretch of Albany—you might find yourself there more and more.

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🌳 We love the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center in Albany’s South End. Not only because they’re our neighbors, but also because they do amazing projects like this: Radix is offering to plant a tree at no cost for any Albany resident. The center will plant any native tree or shrub, and even fruit trees. Interested residents should send an email to [email protected]. [News10]

🚣‍♂️ Albany Waterway Inc., the group that’s been pushing hard for a canal to be built along Broadway, says their dream is making a splash with the governor—included in her $200 million strategy for revitalizing the downtown core released last week is a rendering that shows a reopened section of the city’s former Erie Canal lock. [WAMC]

👨‍🍳 In a passionate editorial, Dominick Purnomo, owner of Yono’s and dp An American Brasserie, is calling on residents to support independent restaurants—while their doors are still open. “We cannot wait for a “Closing Soon” sign to appreciate the value of our local landmarks,” he writes in the Albany Business Review. “These aren’t just places to eat; they’re vibrant hubs of community and the beating heart of our local economies.” Hear, hear! 👏 

This sweetheart of a Tudor Colonial is nestled on tree-lined boulevard in the heart of Niskayuna with lots of wonderful wallpaper, hardwood floors throughout, nooks galore, a real wood-burning fireplace, and a three-season sunroom that your plants will love. The dining room has a touch of old-school charm, and the three bedrooms and two full baths are spacious and bright. Storage won’t be an issue either, thanks to the large walk-in closets, first-floor laundry, a spacious walk-up attic, and a big, dry basement.

An attached two-car garage makes life a lot easier and the location, in the top-rated Niskayuna Central School District, is a real bonus. Brownie points for being on the Niska Day parade route, offering front-row seats to one of the community’s favorite traditions.

The deets: 3 bd, 2 ba, 2552 sf. Asking: $359,900. Days on market: 3. See the full listing here.

Note: Our expansive weekend roundup publishes on Thursdays. Watch your inboxes!

TUESDAY

🍽️ The 2026 Schenectady County Restaurant Week kicked off Monday and runs through March 1, offering 3-course dinners for $30 or $40. Meanwhile, Saratoga County Restaurant Week goes through March 5.

🎤 Troy’s Song City hosts “The Open Floor,” an open mic event for songwriters. The song challenge: “I’m Out of Minutes.”

🚒 Join the BINGO Babes at McGreivey's Restaurant to raise money for the Waterford Historical Museum.

WEDNESDAY

🍺 This month’s Science on Tap at Common Roots Brewing Co. in South Glens Falls features Skidmore’s Kim Frederick: “Turning All Citizens into Scientists using Paper and Cell Phones.”

🎬️ The Dishing’s TINY TALK: Food on Film series is at the Albany Institute of History & Art, in discussion with Victoria Diana & Micah Khan, moderated by Susie Davidson Powell. Featuring small bites + curated cocktails.

🍸️ Elevate your cocktail game at Ilium Brewing’s Mixology Class—includes 5 cocktails, small bites & expert instruction.

🎩 Winter Lecture Series - The Lincoln Assassination: A Waterford Connection? at the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center.

THURSDAY

🔉 At EMPAC, staging grounds explores how art, cultural memory, and experience are shaped by structures that re-animate events across time. Through Feb. 28.

💘 This month’s Drag Me to Nine Pin features a Battle of the Couples, hosted by the ever-charismatic Typhoid Mary.

FRIDAY

🍫 Downtown Troy’s Hot Chocolate Stroll is one of the Capital Region’s most beloved winter traditions. For $5, you can upgrade your ticket to get the boozy beverages.

🪩 Gimme Gimme Disco at Empire Underground celebrates the best of the disco era with hits by ABBA, Cher, Donna Summer and more!

☕️ Brewtus Roasting in Delmar invites local women & moms to their Coffee Walk & Talk. Take a relaxed stroll along the rail trail and then come back for a delicious cup of coffee or three.

🎭️ Confetti Stage presents James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter” at the Albany Masonic Temple, through March 7.

📜 A Revolutionary Age: Generations & the American Revolution in Albany explores how the Revolutionary era impacted young and old, juxtaposing art & first-hand experiences in Albany. Online via Zoom.

SATURDAY

❄️ Get to Bootleggers on Broadway’s Winter Fest for live music, ice bars, drink specials, and cozy winter vibes.

📚️ The Indie Book & Comic Expo at the Shirt Factory in Glens Falls features over 50 authors, publishers, illustrators and artists.

SUNDAY

🍗 Enjoy some of Allie B's most famous dishes including their signature macaroni and cheese and collard greens with smoked turkey at Allie B's Soul Food Gospel Brunch @ La Serre.

🍕 DeFazio’s at 216 is now serving Sunday brunch. Check out their new menu!

ART ON VIEW

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

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