‘Canopy Kid’ big winner with Saratoga bettors
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A rising sophomore at Niskayuna high school has become a young entrepreneur at the Saratoga Race Course this summer.
Griffen Miller, 15, runs the “Canopy Kid” business. He provides a canopy, table, and six chairs at the race course for track-goers; all they have to do is make a reservation on the Canopy Kid Facebook page and hand over $125. An optional cooler with ice and bottled water adds $25.
Miller said he has completed eight reservations so far. Melissa Miller, the self-proclaimed “canopy mom,” described her son’s early success.
“We did our first post the night before the track started. Griffen has been in business for like three weeks,” she said. “We already have repeat customers and we’ve had just a really good reception on some of the local social media … people ask about picnic tables (and whatnot) and on one post, multiple strangers recommended the Canopy Kid.”
Popular locations for canopy setups include those overlooking the paddock or the race track. Another popular spot sits close to the playground.
Finding space to reserve such spots at the racecourse can be a competition — track-goers often race into the track when its gates open to claim a picnic table or other seating area. Miller said he sometimes has to race the crowds to set up his canopies.
“I’m a kid, so usually they will either let me go or I beat them to the spot,” he said.
Miller said he arrives at the racecourse around 7 a.m. on weekdays to set up the canopy. He plans to be ready even earlier for popular weekend races like the Aug. 26 Travers Stakes.
“Other days, like Travers, we’re planning to wake up before the crack of dawn,” he said. Melissa Miller added: “We’re joking about 2 (in the morning), but I’m not sure how much that’s a joke.”
Miller said he already has “three or four” parties interested in reserving a canopy for the Travers Stakes. “We only have two setups,” Miller said. “(It’s) a good problem to have.”
As he gains more experience as a young entrepreneur, Miller has learned lessons. Earlier this summer, for instance, Miller said a potential customer asked him what payment methods he would accept. He responded: “paper money.” The customer never wrote back.
“You’re asking for money on the internet and now you’re using weird terms,” said Mellisa Miller, laughing. She added that the Canopy Kid also accepts Paypal and Venmo.
“We joke with him about that, but that’s one of the skill sets (he is learning),” she said. “I think Griffen would tell you he is a self-proclaimed introvert. So, getting him out of his comfort zone and communicating with adults and treating customers the way that you should treat customers… It’s been good learning.”
Miller noted the experience he is gaining this summer could pave the way for later studying a “business field” in college.
The Canopy Kid will continue accepting reservations during the 2023 Saratoga Race Course season. For more information, visit the Canopy Kid Facebook page.