Behind the scenes of a new social club in Saratoga

Happy Thursday, Capital District! We’re starting off 2025 strong with a story that’s all about hope, ambition and turning a dream into a reality 💪 Plus, get ready for one last holiday-ish weekend before we all gotta really show up for work 😅 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

A casa for connection: The making of a social club in Saratoga

Born and raised in Albany, Jenna Clark spent half a decade after college traveling the world as a digital nomad.

While visiting locales like Istanbul and Peru was thrilling, being constantly on the move can be exhausting. So the 31-year-old relocated back to the Capital District and bought a 1.8 acre property in Milton, just minutes from the Saratoga Race Course.

Inspired by the charming beach-town vibe of Puerto Escondido, Mexico (Conde Nast Traveller calls it a “boho chic gem”), Jenna is reimagining those experiences with plans to launch a unique social club. Dubbed "Casa Volley" for now, this evolving project merges Jenna’s love of competition, social connection and creative business ventures. 

We’re going to follow Jenna’s entrepreneurial journey here on The 518 as she takes the project from idea to reality, hopefully with a launch later this summer. While she has business experience—she created a successful digital marketing agency—this is her first brick-and-mortar venture. 

The club will revolve around a shared love of being active and meeting new people. Picture this: Under a pergola, groups gather for ping pong tournaments and cozy conversations by the fire pits. Meanwhile, other players are deep into a fierce but friendly beach volleyball game. Another group is excited to set off for an afternoon hike, while a lot of folks are here just to soak in the vibes and maybe meet a new friend.

In colder months, Jenna envisions an ice rink as a possible winter diversion. What began as a volleyball-centric dream has expanded into an inclusive space that blends recreation, relaxation and connection. While Jenna’s inspiration comes from the casual, beachside camaraderie she found in Puerto Escondido, she’s gonna need to adapt the concept for a Capital Region crowd.

“It’s not a dreamy transient beach town,” she says during a recent tour of the unfinished property, “but people everywhere want to connect.”

Jenna thinks she’ll need to budget between $100K and $150K for this project, which she’s self-funding through income from her agency business, savings, investments and even some crypto.

She’s realistic about the hurdles, which already includes an unexpected $40,000 cost to install a commercial-grade septic system. Despite the challenges, Jenna is determined to turn her passion project into a real business.

The house itself is being transformed from a totally ordinary suburban home into a dynamic venue. Planned renovations include creating a commercial kitchen, and designing areas for gatherings and possibly a remote work space and/or cafe.

Community is central to her plans, with ideas like membership perks, themed events and group outings. “It’s about creating a vibe,” she says. “People want unique experiences, and that’s what I want to offer.”

Jenna hopes to secure all the necessary permits and begin construction soon, with the goal of opening at least some part of the social club by June. While she’s navigating uncharted territory with this venture, Jenna says she’s “deeply driven by the pursuit of growth” and possesses “a unique ability to bridge business and creativity.”

Follow Jenna’s journey on her Instagram and her personal website. We’ll also be checking back on this project periodically in the newsletter.

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

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🦐 Susie Davidson Powell, food critic for the Times Union, has rounded up 15 of her favorite dishes and drinks from 2024, and it’s a list worth saving! From the savory ramp custard with borscht consommé 🍮 at The Delaware in Albany to the pork cheek casoncelli and oxtail Manhattan 🍸 at The Wild Horse in Saratoga, the Capital Region holds it own when it comes to splurge-worthy cuisine. The list also includes the soul-satisfying Jhol momo, from our personal favorite, Mystic Momo. [TU gift article]

🏠️ New York ranked third among the most moved-from states in 2024, continuing its five-year trend as a top outbound state, according to the United Van Lines National Movers Study. The study found that 59% of New York's moves were outbound, driven primarily by the desire to be closer to family (25.6%), retirement (20.8%), and job changes (15.7%). Nearly 20% of those leaving New York relocated to Florida. [News10]

🚨 Time to slow your roll. On January 1, Albany's citywide speed limit was officially reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph, following legislation passed last summer. School zone speed limits were also set at 20 mph (thousands of drivers are still getting ticketed by the camera-monitored speed-deterrent program). [News10]

⭐️ = The 518 Staff Picks

⭐ ⛸️ The Empire State Plaza Skating Rink is where the Capital Region gets its urban winter kicks. This treasured tradition is open every day (except Mondays), free of charge with a nominal $5 skate rental fee that’s waived on Saturdays, courtesy of Hannaford. Follow the Empire State Plaza on Facebook or Instagram for the latest rink weather notifications.

⭐️ 🐠 Did you and your sweetie miss NYE celebrations? No worries, VIA Aquarium has your belated (but still complimentary) glass of champagne at their Adult Date Night this Friday evening. Watch the ball drop at 8p and lose the FOMO. Fri, 6—8p, $22—$24, reserve your tickets here.

⭐️ 🕊️Start 2025 with some quiet mindfulness & yoga. Join the Embodying the Inner-Winter with Wisdom Roots Wellness at the Eldridge Research Station located in the Hyuck Nature Preserve. Wake up your winter wisdom with a productive and restful workshop, which includes a silent meditation walk around Lincoln Pond followed by Ayruvedic tea, a discussion and a bit of yoga for good measure. Class capped at 20 participants. Sat, 11a—12:30p. Suggested donation: $5 members, $10 non-members. RSVP required; call (518) 797-3440.

⭐️ 👑 On Saturday, Schuyler Mansion in Albany and Crailo State Historic Site in Rensselaer are putting on concurrent Twelfth Night (or Feast of the Epiphany) celebrations with live music, 17th-century inspired refreshments, and caroling around the bonfire. Sat, 4—7p, $8 for adult admission to both sites.

⭐️ 🎸 Capital Region rockers Super 400 will play for the first time on the Caffé Lena stage this Sunday. The charismatic crowd-pleasing band are such local favorites that the mayor of Troy gave them their very own day. Go get loose before the new year’s workweek kicks in, 8—9:30p, $13+.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

It’s a slower-than-usual weekend with fewer events as the Capital District slowly shakes off its holiday vibes.

🖼️ Note: First Friday Albany, which normally takes place on the first Friday of every month, is on hiatus for January and will return better than ever in February! 

THURSDAY

👩‍🎤 Open Karaoke & Music Listening Party | Son of Egg in Rensselaer.

🕺 Darkwave Dance Party feat. DJ3DG & DJ Stancom at Ophelia’s in downtown Albany.

🍺 Northway Brewing Co. in Queensbury is having its first Trivia Night of the year.

🏳️‍🌈 Collared City Kink invites you to Queer Munch at the Pickle in Troy. Meet other kinksters and get to know the local scene. Free (but be sure to buy a drink!)

FRIDAY

💃 Is there an Albany-Atlanta connection we should know about? Find out at Welcome 2 Alblanta, featuring 5 live DJs playing old and new school hip-hop.

SATURDAY

🥌 We chose this event just so we could use the curling emoji! But actually, it looks hella fun. The Schenectady Curling Club invites you to learn the Olympic sport of curling—with cocktails! Sign up for Curling & Cocktails here.

🎄The annual Oh Tannebaumfire at June Farms is a delightful way to get rid of your old Christmas tree. Dogs and kids are welcome!

🎸 Our friend Matthew Klane will be opening up for Kate McDonnell at Dorn Space in Gloversville.

🔥 Join the Albany FireWolves for Tucker Out Lymphoma & Box Out Cancer Night, which honors the life and legacy of FireWolves Forward Dyson Williams' brother Tucker Williams. Tucker lost his battle with Burkitt Lymphoma in 2014.

👑 Who doesn’t love the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll? Johnny Rabb’s Big Band celebrates Elvis Presley’s birthday—his 90th—at the Hangar on the Hudson. Details here.

SUNDAY

👰 Looking to get hitched in 2025? Get to the free Wedding Expo at the Albany Marriott Hotel on Sunday.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

We told you it was a slow weekend! Btw, want us to include your live music or event listing? Fill out this easy form!

🫵 WE WANT YOUR NOMINATIONS

Throughout the year, we’ll be featuring local personalities and small businesses for our “People & Places You Should Know” series. Nominate someone you think deserves some attention in the newsletter. Contact [email protected].