518-377-9430
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Salengo | 518-377-9430
The Spicy Purrito Celebrates Grand Opening in New Downtown Schenectady Storefront
SCHENECTADY, NY – August 2, 2022 – The Spicy Purrito, a retail shop specializing in homemade catnip cat toys, celebrated its grand opening today in a new storefront at 34 Jay Street during a ceremony hosted by the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC). Owner and Rotterdam, NY, resident Tonya Hall – a self-professed entrepreneur, artist, seamstress, genealogist, DAR member, wife, stepmom, and cat mom – expanded into the new storefront after growing a strong customer base at a space she leased inside The Schenectady Trading Company (STC) at 609 Union Street.
“Ever since I was a wee lass, I have been grooming myself to be the current cat lady that I am,” said Hall. “After 40+ years, my grandmother and mother still make sure to give me cat-themed birthday cards, which I treasure. Although I have always been creative and artsy, I stumbled upon sewing in college. After many years of practice, I became a fairly decent quilter. An entrepreneur at heart, I spent a few years trying to figure out how I can marry my love of fabric with my love of cats and, lo and behold, The Spicy Purrito was born!”
Hall started her cat toy business in March 2017. She makes all Spicy Purrito catnip toys by hand, selects all fabrics, and coordinates colors and themes. After two years of selling via craft fairs, Hall approached Caroline Bardwell, owner of The Schenectady Trading Company, about featuring a small selection of her items. STC is a popular downtown shop that specializes in products made in Schenectady and the immediate area. Hall’s toys quickly became a hit with STC’s customers and, in turn, introduced Hall’s loyal customers to all that STC had to offer.
“It has been very rewarding to be a launchpad for growing local businesses,” said Bardwell. “When Tonya and I first met and I started selling her catnip toys, she told me that she dreamed of owning her own shop one day. Now that day has come, and I wish her continued success!” The Spicy Purrito will continue to have a scaled-down selection of handmade toys available at STC.
“The Spicy Purrito is an excellent example of local entrepreneurs working together to benefit each other and the downtown community,” said Jim Salengo, executive director of the DSIC. “We are thrilled that Tonya found such success with her products and is now giving people another great reason to shop small in Downtown Schenectady.”
Hall will continue her full-time job at the New York State Lottery while operating The Spicy Purrito. “Despite my shop being a ‘side gig,’ I can promise I put 110% of my heart into this business,” said Hall. “Owning a shop has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I decided life is too short to wait. I meet so many wonderful people who share stories about their kitties. I’m honored to have you entrust me with entertaining your felines.”
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And what about the name? According to Hall, a “purrito” is a cat wrapped in a blanket (and looks like a burrito). A “spicy purrito” is an ANGRY cat wrapped in a blanket!
The Spicy Purrito is currently open weekends (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and by appointment. The shop will also be open during select Downtown Schenectady special events. For more information, visit www.thespicypurrito.com. You can also visit the shop on Facebook (@thespicypurrito) and Instagram (@thespicypurritocrafts).
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