Ria's Bistro & Bakery Brings Homestyle Italian Flair to State Street
ALBANY, NY - The City of Albany and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) held the official grand opening of Ria’s Bistro & Bakery, located at 113 State Street, on Thursday, October 19, 2017. Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan, Ria’s owner Maria Lombardi, and Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens delivered remarks followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
“My administration works each day to ensure we are strengthening our existing small businesses and attracting new establishments,” said Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “Ria’s is a prime example of a high-quality, family-owned eatery choosing to relocate to our Capital City. I am excited Ria’s is joining our vibrant Downtown Albany neighborhood, and wish them the best of luck.
Born and raised in Albany, Maria Lombardi opened the first incarnation of Ria’s as a bakery and deli in Bolton Landing, gaining a devoted following before relocating the quaint bistro to her hometown. A true family business, customers are often greeted by Lombardi’s daughter or cousin at the counter; her husband built many of the fixtures that add to the basement-level bakery’s charm. Ria’s Bistro & Bakery focuses on specialty breakfast and lunch sandwiches, hearty soups, locally-roasted coffee and espresso drinks, and from-scratch baked goods. Italian specialties, like homemade sauce, meatballs and cannoli, are always in-demand. Ria’s also offers catering services for office parties and events, including sandwich and pastry platters.
“Looking from our front steps up to the New York State Capitol and down to the Hudson River, we’re reminded every day that State Street really is the heart of both the City of Albany and the Capital Region. As a native of the area, I’m so proud to have Ria’s Bistro & Bakery join this landscape,” said owner Maria Lombardi. "This community is our home, and we truly believe that our neighbors deserve nothing but the best; at Ria’s, you’ll always find fresh, authentic food made to order and served with a friendly smile.”
“We often refer to Downtown as ‘Albany’s newest neighborhood’ – in addition to a continually growing residential population and new amenities like specialty retail stores and salons emerging in the district, it’s true neighborhood businesses like Ria’s that are helping to complete the picture,” said BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens. “Open six days a week, Ria’s comfortable atmosphere and unique, home-made menu fosters that feeling of community – from the legislator on a quick lunch break to the young family looking for a tasty Saturday morning breakfast, it’s the kind of place everyone can enjoy.”
Ria’s Bakery & Bistro is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with Saturday breakfast hours from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. For more information, visit www.riasbistroandbakery.com or call 518.650.8340.
About the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID)
From international corporations, regional giants and locally owned proprietors, downtown Albany is more than business as usual. Accented by the powerful currents of the Hudson River to the motivating forces in the State Capitol, downtown Albany stands in good company with some of the greatest names in business today. Over 250 companies call downtown Albany home and signs like IBM, Microsoft and Windstream are seen throughout our historic streets. Since 1996, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has worked to restore, promote and maintain the character and vitality of improve the quality of life and overall image of downtown for those who work in, live in and visit the Capital City of the most famous state in the world. The Downtown Albany BID is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information about the Downtown Albany BID please visit downtownalbany.org | @AlbanyBID or call 518.465.2143.
