Tagrel
06-08-2004, 09:32 AM
Original Article: Sweet swine lands Disney shelf space (http://www.saratogian.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1169&dept_id=17718&newsid=11893343&PAG=461&rfi=9)
Sweet swine lands Disney shelf space
JEROME BURDI , The Saratogian 06/08/2004
How will the Peppermint Pig get along with Mickey Mouse?
'Very well,' said Mike Fitzgerald of Saratoga Sweets, the Clifton Park business that produces the porcine treats.
The business is one of four in Saratoga County selected to have merchandise at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., which opened last month. When it's fully completed in 2007, it will be Disney's largest vacation club resort. The pig will have some company. The resort also is stocking products from Saratoga Salsa and Saratoga Water Co. of Saratoga Springs and Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce of Greenfield Center.
Though the products already have a national reach, business owners said the prestige of having products well-displayed at a Disney resort is great for marketing. And if the resort takes off, the commerce is sure to come. The local products were a hit during opening day celebrations, said Fitzgerald, adding that people are really curious about Saratoga Springs.
'People from all over the world come there, so the exposure' is great, said Rick Monaco of Saratoga Salsa, which is sold locally at his shop, Hot Stuff of Saratoga on Phila Street.
Adam Madkour of Saratoga Water said the city's famous blue bottles are already sold at Swan and Dolphin hotels at Disney World in Orlando. 'We have a really strong network in the state of Florida,' he said. 'This will make it stronger.'
Madkour was not at the opening celebrations but said he has been to the new resort and it's beautiful.
'It does our city justice,' he said.
Fitzgerald said people at the opening celebration two weeks ago asked if Saratoga Springs really looked like the Victorian fancy version at Disney. They probably looked to him because he was dressed like an 1880s merchant in a pinstripe apron handing out his treats. He said that things have changed since the 19th century, but there is still a whimsical air about Saratoga Springs.
'It's great advertising for the real Saratoga Springs,' said Fitzgerald. 'Down the road, there will be very dramatic effects from it.'
Fitzgerald and Monaco, who was also at the opening celebration, said they were treated like royalty from the land of mystical waters. Affectionately dubbed 'pig man' while he was at the resort, Fitzgerald found time to sample the spa.
'It was my first official pig massage,' he said. 'In retrospect, I probably should have gone for the mud bath.'
Sweet swine lands Disney shelf space
JEROME BURDI , The Saratogian 06/08/2004
How will the Peppermint Pig get along with Mickey Mouse?
'Very well,' said Mike Fitzgerald of Saratoga Sweets, the Clifton Park business that produces the porcine treats.
The business is one of four in Saratoga County selected to have merchandise at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., which opened last month. When it's fully completed in 2007, it will be Disney's largest vacation club resort. The pig will have some company. The resort also is stocking products from Saratoga Salsa and Saratoga Water Co. of Saratoga Springs and Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce of Greenfield Center.
Though the products already have a national reach, business owners said the prestige of having products well-displayed at a Disney resort is great for marketing. And if the resort takes off, the commerce is sure to come. The local products were a hit during opening day celebrations, said Fitzgerald, adding that people are really curious about Saratoga Springs.
'People from all over the world come there, so the exposure' is great, said Rick Monaco of Saratoga Salsa, which is sold locally at his shop, Hot Stuff of Saratoga on Phila Street.
Adam Madkour of Saratoga Water said the city's famous blue bottles are already sold at Swan and Dolphin hotels at Disney World in Orlando. 'We have a really strong network in the state of Florida,' he said. 'This will make it stronger.'
Madkour was not at the opening celebrations but said he has been to the new resort and it's beautiful.
'It does our city justice,' he said.
Fitzgerald said people at the opening celebration two weeks ago asked if Saratoga Springs really looked like the Victorian fancy version at Disney. They probably looked to him because he was dressed like an 1880s merchant in a pinstripe apron handing out his treats. He said that things have changed since the 19th century, but there is still a whimsical air about Saratoga Springs.
'It's great advertising for the real Saratoga Springs,' said Fitzgerald. 'Down the road, there will be very dramatic effects from it.'
Fitzgerald and Monaco, who was also at the opening celebration, said they were treated like royalty from the land of mystical waters. Affectionately dubbed 'pig man' while he was at the resort, Fitzgerald found time to sample the spa.
'It was my first official pig massage,' he said. 'In retrospect, I probably should have gone for the mud bath.'