The Counter at Five Points: Spotlight on a Reimagined Neighborhood Market

This week at Saratoga Sips and Scenes I am highlighting a local market, The Counter at Five Points in Saratoga Springs! The Counter is a neighborhood hub proud to be built by locals, for locals. Recently I spent some time there and picked the owners’ brains. I’ll share some of what I learned and what you need to know before you head over!

The Origin of The Counter

In 2025, Ashley Freeman and Nick Cook noticed a for sale sign at the market in the Five Points neighborhood where Nick grew up (learn more about his connection to the area in this Saratoga Living article). It turned out the business was for sale and the rest is history! Located at a historic 5-point intersection with a long-standing tradition of corner markets, The Counter continues that legacy in a new way.

Nick and Ashley opened the Counter at Five Points in June 2025 and have become an important part of the neighborhood. They bring years of experience coming from the restaurant business and owning and operating the popular Airstream Catering Co for the past 12 years.

Noms, Sips and More

The Counter has a variety of breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Breakfast ranges from $6-$11 and lunch from $11-$15 (check out their full menu here). Their most popular sandwich is the Smokeshow with roasted turkey, romesco, provolone, bacon and arugula. I learned that the majority of the Counter’s menu items are made from scratch and even better, some of the veggies are from Nick’s dad’s garden nearby! If you stop by anytime soon you may luck out and try one of his tomatoes. Also, Ashley shared that they’ll be dropping their late summer/fall menu soon with new sandwiches and beverages so stay tuned for that!

They offer a variety of coffee options all under $6. I had the iced peach latte the other day and to be honest I wasn’t sure if I’d like a peach coffee drink. It was so refreshing and most of the syrups are made from scratch!

They also sell all sorts of things you’d expect at a market – ice, candy, a variety of beverages (non-alcoholic) and things you wouldn’t necessarily expect to find like playing cards, paper goods for parties etc. There are also a variety of grab-and-go options like pasta salad, overnight oats, parfaits and more!

Meal Prep

While I enjoy cooking, I’m always looking for ways to supplement my meals with local prepped options. I happily discovered that the Counter offers meal prep in the off-season – check out some of their offerings from June: Cheesy Cuban Chicken & Rice Bake with Mixed Green Salad… Pulled Pork Cornbread Casserole with Southwestern Salad… Beef Barbacoa Enchiladas with Mexican Rice & Beans. I will definitely be checking that out once they restart!

Community Counter

When I asked Ashley about their relationship with the neighborhood, she shared that they know their neighbors well – so well in fact, that their neighbor John collects the paper when they are closed and gives them many of the plants that decorate the market. The Counter is a favorite spot for local pups too – check out Canines of the Counter for many of their regular four-legged customers (well-behaved dogs welcome!)

There’s also a bunch of local handicrafts for sale, including adorable upcycled hand-sewn bags and wristlet keychains by the Counter’s own Olivia Mancini (check out @sewn_byliv on Instagram), candles, honey and more. My favorite part of the display is a “give one take one” cookbook shelf for the community. The impact goes beyond just our community – Ashley shared that a woman visits annually from Vermont and takes cookbooks back to the local soup kitchen!

The Counter: Know Before you Go

• Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday through Sunday; open year round.
• Dining options: Dine in and online ordering (order pick up here).
• Location: 42 Park Place, Saratoga Springs NY, 12866 View the Counter on Google Maps.
• Parking: There’s a parking lot behind the building with about 8 spots, two-hour street parking on Park Place and 15-minute parking along Lincoln Ave.
• Restroom: Restroom available (well stocked and clean).
• Seating: Variety of options – tables outside with umbrellas and tables seating 2-4 people inside.
• Accessibility: Please note there are a few steps at the entrance.
• WiFi: Yes.
• Vibes: The Counter is spacious with lots of light, yet still cozy and inviting. It’s quieter during the week and gets busy on the weekends. Remote workers are welcome (though be aware there are limited outlets, so charge up beforehand.)

Em’s Takeaway

The Counter is a unique intersection (both in location and mission) of a neighborhood market, deli, cafe, catering company, and more. Nick and Ashley are intentional about how they’ve integrated into the Five Points neighborhood. Nick’s personal connection to the area, honoring both its past and present, carries on a longtime tradition of the neighborhood corner store. While many of Saratoga’s cafes are on or near Broadway, the Counter offers a quieter alternative less than a mile away. It’s absolutely worth the visit!