9 Miles East poised to expand later this year
Local business 9 Miles East is making a move to the Spa City, where its first restaurant is expected to open later this year.
Named for its site nine miles east of Saratoga Springs, the farm and food company will soon have a presence in the city.
While produce will still be grown at the Northumberland farm, 9 Miles East is relocating its production operation to 64 Excelsior St. in Saratoga Springs.
Here, 9 Miles East also plans to open its first eatery, where customers can come to dine on the cuisine they’ve already become familiar with through the company’s meal subscription, workplace wellness and pizza delivery programs.
This expansion has been on 9 Miles East founder and CEO Gordon Sacks’ mind for quite some time. “We have been looking for the perfect space in Saratoga Springs for several years,” he said, “and we think that 64 Excelsior is exactly the right place.”
The design for the facility, which is being constructed in the 3,300-square-foot former Stark’s Muffler shop, includes a 40-seat dining room, a 20-seat seasonal patio, a private event space and a large production kitchen.
“What we really like about this space is its authentic, old Saratoga character,” said Sacks, who plans to have a webpage where people can share their stories about Stark’s, a long-operating auto garage.
The company has a longterm lease with development firm Bonacio Construction, which owns the property.
Leading up to this project, 9 Miles East has built a base of thousands of regular customers through years of consistently delivering locally-sourced food to both the Capital District and Metro Boston areas.
In the Saratoga area, 9 Miles East has also created a reputation for its awardwinning sourdough crust pizza. Its ingredients include fresh slow-roasted tomatoes, herbs from the farm, mozzarella cheese from Cappiello Dairy in Schenectady and organic flour grown in New York state and freshly milled at Farmer Ground Flour.
It takes a total of three days to make the naturally leavened, sourdough-style crust. “Slower is better,” Sacks said. “The sourdough process makes our pizza inherently healthier and more digestible.”
At the restaurant, the
menu will be anchored by pizza, but there will be a limited number of other options as well, Sacks said.
“Pizza is the ultimate share meal,” he continued. “It’s social. It’s fun to go out for pizza with friends or family - so that’s what we’re working on for the whole concept.”
In addition to using vegetables from 9 Miles East Farm, the company anticipates sourcing more ingredients from other local farms including Pitney Meadows Community Farm in Saratoga Springs.
During the daytime, the eatery will also offer coffee, grab and go breakfast and an alternative grain baking program.
The restaurant, which will offer wine and beer, aims to be accessible with a $25 per person price point for dinner.
Since 9 Miles East first started nearly 15 years ago, it’s mission has remained the same: “We want to make it easy for busy people to eat healthy, local food,” Sacks said.
In running the business throughout the years, he’s found that “People really want healthy food if you can make it convenient and delicious for them.”
The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Table service will begin at 5 p.m. daily, with counter service during breakfast and lunch hours.
A private room, which can host about 20 people, will be available for parties, meetings, and other catered functions.
A dozen off-street parking spots will be available for customers.
To help fund this expansion project, 9 Miles East is reaching out to the community through a unique crowdfunding approach, with opportunities still available starting with a minimum of $1,000. “Were very happy to be able to pay back our customers and help them participate in our continued growth and in the continued growth of Saratoga Springs,” Sacks said. “Its keeping it in the community.” Details about investment can be found online at mainvest.com/ businesses/9-miles-east.
More information about 9 Miles East is available online at www.9mileseast.com.