Mittler’s Market and More

Life is coming full circle for me," said Steve Mittler, the owner of the new Mittler's Market at the corner of Phila and Putnam. Steve's inspiration traces back to his grandfather, William Walsh, who ran a grocery store in Troy. Now, Steve brings that same spirit to his market, which has its own eclectic charm. "It's a new beginning, not just for me, but for the whole neighborhood," he said. 

 As a Lake Avenue resident, Steve often found himself frustrated by the absence of nearby options for essentials like a bottle of water or some Advil. With the last of the local corner stores gone, he saw an opportunity to bring the idea back with a fresh twist—expanding from a grocery store complete with a candy wall and shelves of everyday sundries to an eatery with a player piano open to community members who want to perfect their craft. Mittler's Market is not just a place to shop but a unique community hub where you can find the unexpected and the delightful.

This photo from the George S. Bolster Collection courtesy of the Saratoga History Museum were taken when George Serrota leased the property from New York State.

After completing the necessary renovations, Steve filled his restaurant with upcycled tables from the old Cantina/Professor Moriarty's/Lillian's at 432 Broadway and other furnishings on Facebook Marketplace. 

Mittler opened his Market on June 1, 2024, joining a legacy of local entrepreneurs who found new beginnings at this historic corner in the heart of "The Gut," a low-laying area once filled with predominantly Jewish merchants who served visitors seeking our healing springs. Mittler's Market is not just a new business but a continuation of a rich historical tradition, a living link to the past that we can all cherish.

The property originally housed the laundry facility of the famous Saratoga Bath House at 25 Phila Street. Before 1863, Phila Street did not extend to Broadway. Instead, a covered walkway alongside the Bath House led people to the Broadway Arcade Building. 

In the late 1920s, the corner of Phila and Putnam sat waiting for a new beginning. The Bath House was razed in 1928, and the State Reservation Commission took over the property that was once linked to the healing waters of Putnam Spring.  

Meanwhile, two of Saratoga's newer residents were ready for a fresh start. George and Manya Serotta, Ukrainian immigrants seeking a new life far from their homeland's turmoil, arrived in the United States on the Fourth of July in 1921. Their journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of early immigrants. George and his wife faced many obstacles in obtaining the necessary passports and securing the money George's brother David sent to make the arduous trip from Ukraine. They were ready for a new beginning in Saratoga Springs. 

Initially, George worked for his brother at Serotta's Grocery Store at 37 Phila St., which is currently Bailey's. Once Prohibition was lifted, George decided to open a more profitable liquor store across the street. He was lucky enough to procure a 20-year lease from New York State, which controlled the land where the bathhouse once stood.

 In 1936, he built a one-story brick building with two commercial spaces, opening a liquor store on the Putnam Street side and renting out the Phila Street side to Tracy's Food Market. The Serottas’ immigrant story was aptly summed up in a July 1, 1949 Saratogian article, "Both Mr. and Mrs. Serotta have worked hard during the last 28 years to attain success in business, in the process of which they have earned the respect and admiration of their Saratoga Springs neighbors." 

Mayna and George Serotta

This spot was also the beginning—an incubator — for two other beloved mom-and-pop staples in our community: Mrs. London's Bake Shop and Four Seasons Natural Foods. The bake shop delighted customers with their mouth-watering pastries at 33 Phila from 1977- 1985. A February 1983 New York Times article eloquently described this spot, "There is a landmark here known as Mrs. London's Bakeshop & Restaurant, a magnificently perfumed place where the aromas of vanilla and chocolate, almond paste and caramel, and jams and jellies intermingle."(Craig Claiborne, NYTIMES)

Subsequently, Four Seasons Natural Foods, a family-owned natural foods grocery store and café, moved to 33 Phila Street and flourished there for 30 years before expanding to a larger space on Henry Street. Their website describes their

For many years, George Serotta rented out one side of his building to Tracey‘s Market.

effort to "create a warm and welcoming environment – call it 21st Century Hippie or relaxed or a California-ish store filled with natural, local and organic foods and products." 

Next, 33 Phila Street opened its doors to Kristen Lambert, a former teacher, pursuing her dream of running a store. Her party supply store, Tailgate and Party, was an eye-catching addition to this corner. After a few years of long shop hours providing the community with fun products, Kristen decided to retire. 

Steve seized the opportunity to follow the tradition of reinvention at this historic corner with Mittler's Market. I can't wait to see his store flourish on this corner of resilience and renewal, linking Saratoga Springs' past to its present.

Author’s note: Thanks to Mitch Cohen, Lisa Serotta Carrino, and Bill Orzell and Michelle Isopo for their assistance.

The new eatery & bar area at Mittler's Market. Photos provided