Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddy Zanetti

Maddy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I shopped at Impressions of Saratoga as a kid, always being a horse and dog lover, I enjoyed getting Breyer horses and glass animals from the store. I had always wanted a real horse and finally when I turned 14, I got one, Flye. My parents gave him to me as my birthday gift with the caveat that I had to pay his expenses each month, so I needed to get a job other than my dog walking/sitting business. I went into Impressions and the current manager sent me to talk to Marianne, the owner and now my business partner. I started working the next day and have not stopped since. I worked as much as I could and did whatever was needed.

We would joke when I was a kid that I would be running Impressions on day and that I usually was the one who knew what was going on. When I went to school for business I planned on coming home to open a business of my own. Instead, Marianne, Dave (her husband), and I went into a business partnership. I became the third owner of the business, then I bought Dave out. Now I am buying Mare (Marianne) out so she too will retire. It has worked out really well for all of us. It is as close to a family business you can get without being related. I have been here for over 20 years, I grew up in this store.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

I have been incredibly fortunate. I have had to make some sacrifices. Retail is a night and weekend job, so sometimes I miss family events or fun things that are happening but I also have gotten to do a lot of neat things I would not have in another job.

I had always wanted a farm and bought one when I graduated college and came home but I realized the amount of hours I work is not conducive to also having a farm. I would be out mowing on the tractor with a headlamp in the early morning or cleaning paddocks in the dark at night. So I sold the farm and moved into town. I love where I live and my home but I do miss all of the animals every so often.

In the business we have had obstacles. Just this year we had a fire in our building, though there was not any damage in our space we were out of the building for a month due to the electrical repairs needed. It was the busiest time of year for us and that was a hard hit, but we made it through. It was like COVID all over again since we could not have customers in the store, but just like in 2020 we made the best of the situation and we worked hard to get through it.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

We are in Saratoga Springs, which is in upstate New York. Known for “Health, History, Horses”. Saratoga Springs has the quintessential small town downtown feel and is often called “the city in the country” we have a great mix.

We have two stores. Impressions is “The Everything Saratoga Store”. Opened in 1978 as a tee shirt shop we quickly grew into a souvenir and gift shop with the largest selection of Saratoga gifts. We are incredibly dog friendly and offer good old fashioned customer service. We have people who have shopped here for over 40 years, or came here as kids and now are back as parents. Our staff is like family. We even have children of past employees working here now. When we need a hand people who worked here 20 years ago volunteer to help.

The Dark Horse Mercantile opened in 2018 across the street. Here we celebrate the history of Saratoga Springs being home to the oldest thoroughbred race course in America where “dark horses” overcome the odds and beat the favorites. Our horse on the products is our rendering of Upset the real horse who beat Man o’War in Saratoga in 1919. Man o’War was one of the greatest race horses of all time and lost one race in his entire career. We encourage never giving up on yourself even if you are the long shot.

Both stores have so much to be proud of. But it is so rewarding when people come in and tell us how much they love to come in, or how we are their first stop. When we were closed the amount of community support was incredible, it is humbling. We are so lucky to be able to be a part of this community. Saratoga Springs is a special place and our downtown is so unique. It is like going back in time and we are proud of being a part of it.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?

I think that anyone who owns their own business takes a risk. You have to love what you do and be passionate about it. You can’t do it for the money. We took a risk when we decided to move Dark Horse as a brand within Impressions to having its own space. We had always thought about it but did it on the fly and put together a beautiful store that we are really proud of.

I also have written two books about Upset and the Dark Horse story. Both have been a big hit. Though it is a niche and we are not known all over the world like a big book publisher people love the stories. Upset (the first book) is going into its fourth print this year. Jim dandy (second book) has been a great addition to the collection. People are asking for a third. There is a good following and it is great to meet children who have read the book and know about the lesson of always doing your best and never giving up. The books are in the National Thoroughbred Racing Museum & Hall of Fame as well as the Keenland Library. There are also other stores who now carry the books. It was a big thing to do in the beginning, trusting that the story would connect with people. It has been a really fun experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: ImpressionsSaratoga.com and DarkHorseSaratoga.com
• Instagram: ImpressionsSaratoga and DarkHorseSaratoga
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpressionsOfSaratoga and https://www.facebook.com/DarkHorseSaratoga