Dark Horse set for Broadway
Will sell merchandise from brand they founded in 2014
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The Dark Horse is coming to Broadway, with the opening of a new downtown Spa City shop.
Maddy Zanetti and Marianne Barker, the owners of Broadway gift shop Impressions of Saratoga, recently announced that they’re opening a second store specifically for their Dark Horse merchandise, a brand they founded in 2014.
The Dark Horse Mercantile is expected to open in late June at 445 Broadway, next to Saratoga Coffee Traders in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The former salon space is currently being transformed into The Dark Horse Mercantile, which will carry a full range of high quality gifts, sportswear, memorabilia, collectibles and home decor items branded with the Dark Horse logo featuring famous racehorse Upset.
Upset was the underdog horse that shocked racing fans in 1919 by beating the legendary racehorse Man o’ War at Saratoga Race Course, the track affectionately known as “the Graveyard of Champions.”
To honor that infamous race horse, a black miniature horse named Upset is the mascot of the brand. This Upset often makes appearances to meet his fans at community events, and has become a crowd favorite over the past four years.
The founders originally launched The Dark Horse brand to celebrate Saratoga’s reputation as the track where favorites are defeated by the longshot.
In addition to Upset, The Dark Horse Mercantile will also pay tribute to other unlikely champions such as Jim Dandy, Onion and, most recently, Keen Ice.
In the last few years, the brand and its story of believing in yourself have been so well received that a dream of opening a store dedicated to these unexpected winners has finally been realized.
The owners had toyed with the idea of opening a Dark Horse store in recent years, and when the 445 Broadway storefront unit opened, they decided to go for it.
“All the signs indicated that this was the time to do it,” Barker said, noting that everything fell together within less
than a week. “It was just meant to be.”
Additionally, a children’s book called “Upset, The Original Dark Horse” authored by Zanetti and illustrated by Gretchen Louise Tisch will be launched at The Dark Horse Mercantile.
Looking ahead, the owners aim to offer the same service and attention to detail that customers have become accustomed to at Impressions of Saratoga for the past 40 years.
The owners’ goal for the future is to continue expanding the Dark Horse brand and teaching people about Upset’s amazing story.
“We definitely want to grow the brand,” Zanetti said. “We just want to make sure the store is successful and carry on the tradition of customer service, and the Saratoga tradition that we have now.”
The Dark Horse Mercantile plans to have a grand opening party, as well as a book signing with Upset for The Dark Horse Mercantile. Next year, there is sure to be another celebration for the 100th anniversary of Upset’s big win against Man o’ War.
Updates about The Dark Horse Mercantile, which is anticipated to be open seven days a week this summer, can be found online at www.facebook.com/DarkHorseSaratoga.