Jay Street Marketplace

09/03/2026

08/26/2026

I was ten years old when I was introduced to Dolly Parton. I don’t remember if it was the movie 9to5 or the title song. But that was her entering my consciousness.
Her song 9to5 stayed with me all those years and when the time came to open Ambition, it was her inspiration that I tapped into. “Poured myself a cup of ambition…”
After meeting Lily Tomlin at Proctors Theater and Lily signing my DVD cover of 9to5 and telling her about the restaurant and at the time we had the candy store named Skinny & Sweet, she asked me, “How does Dolly feel about that?”
I said, “I don’t know.” But that was the fuel I needed to meet her.
Dolly was on an album tour, stopping in NYC. So I went down to NYC to meet her.
I was treated like everyone else who was there, standing in line, with hundreds of other people, waiting my turn to meet Dolly and grab a signature.
When it was finally my turn and I was standing in front of her, I handed her my DVD cover, told her about my restaurant, its name and how she inspired it and the name for our candy store.
She lit up with excitement. She was so happy for me and with her southern drawl, “Well I think that’s just really great!”
Then I did what I should not have done but I felt pushed, so I asked her if I could shake her hand. It was like the universe went silent. Her staff behind her went silent, the conversations of the people standing behind me went silent. And then she ever so directly, put her pen down on the table, released it and extended her hand. Like I was the most important person in the world. I shook Dolly Parton’s hand. And that’s Dolly Parton. Always with a smile, always with a positive outlook, always willing to give. She stopped for me. ME. Who am I? There were hundreds maybe thousands of people there. We were told photographs with Dolly were not allowed. And yet she stopped for me.
Dolly, I will try, although I know I’ll fall pitifully short of being the positive person you were. But you’ve touched my life, and forever you will stay in my heart.
“If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.”
Fly like an eagle Dolly 💝

08/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out and spent their Friday night with us on 8/21! It was great to see our community come together and the weather was perfect! Here are a few fun photos!

Shared album · Tap to view!

08/21/2026

The only place you need to be Friday night is in Downtown Schenectady!

Not only is it Summer Sampler Restaurant Week BUT Friday is Alt Art Night on Jay Street.

Here's some of what's happening:
♦See beautiful art during receptions at Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery New York, Sweet Sprig and Bittersweet Candy
♦Bring the kids for kids art time Storied Coffee
♦Get henna at Hat Pin Peril, LLC
♦See Adam Gerstenberger play for FREE in Jay Square
♦Dance as DJ3DG drops some hits on Jay Street
♦Shop the various vendors
♦Check out the fashion show
♦PLUS SO MUCH MORE!!

It all goes down THIS FRIDAY from 5-9 p.m. at the Jay Street Marketplace.

08/18/2026

Alt Art Night is this Friday! Jay Street Marketplace will be packed with local art, live music, good eats, and local biz love. Come support us all!

🎨 Art & Shop: Gallery receptions, street vendors, henna, & kids art!
🎧 Music & Visuals: Live beats on Jay Street by local favorite DJ3DG, live music in Jay Square (5-8PM), & a live projection show by FarEye Productions (8-9PM).
🌭 Eats & Drinks: Ambition Bistro specials, Meat Stick Chick hotdogs, Electric Grinch drinks & an After Party at Toni’s Wine Bar (9-11PM)!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Bear and Bird Gallery
Sweet Sprig
bittersweet candy
STORIED | espresso • boba • used books • chill vibes
Hat Pin Peril, LLC
Mimzy
DJ3DG ママ
Far Eye Visual Arts
Ambition Coffee & Eatery
The Meat Stick Chick
Toni's Wine Bar
Keegan James ✨
Electric Grinch
Made Market on Jay Street
Discover Schenectady
Downtown Schenectady
Around Schenectady Art Night Schenectady

08/11/2026

Storied will be CLOSED today and tomorrow (Tues & Wed) as we revamp the shop and get ready to share some BIG news! 👀 The biggest news in the history of Storied! What could it be?? Back with the answer on Wed eve 🥳

08/02/2026

We are so excited to have Phillip Shaver play on the Jay Street Marketplace for the first time! He is a wonderful local musician and is a great addition to our Sunday Music Series!!

07/26/2026

We are so excited to start our Sunday Music Series with the very talented Jeff Becker! Huge, thank you to Schenectady County Arts and Culture Grant!! Right next to our friends at the Schenectady GreenMarket, the Made Market will feature local musicians for the rest of the summer 🎶🎶🎶