The storefront at the corner of Steuben Street, Suite #2 at 59 North Pearl, is now home to a state-of-the-art medical spa offering clinical skin-care services, aesthetic and wellness treatments — Semblance Medspa. An event was held Friday to celebrate the completion of interior renovations and its grand opening. Owner Dr. Farah Sajid and manager Lynette Morgan were joined by City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, Capitalize Albany Corporation and other community partners.
“New business owners, such as Dr. Farah Sajid, are embracing the vibrancy of downtown Albany," said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “We are excited to add yet another business as part of downtown’s continual and positive transformation, and wish Semblance Medspa the best of luck."
“Practicing in my field I’ve worked with so many patients facing difficult skin-related challenges and I have a passion to help others look and feel their best at every stage of life,” said Semblance Medspa medical director and owner Dr. Farah Sajid. “I was so inspired to do this and it’s very exciting to see Semblance Medspa come to life. Thank you to all of the community partners, the City of Albany and everyone involved for their support.”
Made possible with support from the Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program — extensive interior renovations of the medical spa’s 1,200 sq. ft. were completed to support Semblance’s business plan, its space’s fit up for medical equipment to provide treatments, design and theme to inspire relaxation. The grant program is made possible by the City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation and Capitalize Albany Corporation.
Semblance Medspa will be open during morning and afternoon hours Tuesday – Saturday. Created and led by a physician who is passionate about self-care and wellness, Semblance will offer clinical skincare services such as facials and micro-needling, skin tightening, laser skin and vein treatments, and injectables such as Botox. The spa will also sell a line of physician-recommended cosmeceutical skin and body care products. Medical director and owner, Dr. Farah Sajid has extensive experience, most recently as a general pediatrician at Troy Pediatric Health Center. She developed a passion for skin care and aesthetics after spending several years treating patients with skin-related challenges.
“Congratulations to Semblance Medspa on your grand opening in downtown Albany. As residential growth continues in downtown, the demand for these amenities continues and contributes to walkability and livability in Albany,” said Assemblymember John T. McDonald III. “The Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program is an incredible resource for small business owners and thank you to Capitalize Albany and all of the partners who have made this possible.”
“Downtown continues to grow, and as density increases, health and wellness services are becoming a crucial neighborhood amenity,” said Capitalize Albany Corporation president and City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation CEO Sarah Reginelli. “Semblance Medspa is the latest example of a diversifying retail and service mix, and I am excited for the investment Dr. Sajid is making in downtown. The Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program has proven to be an advantageous tool in supporting this new growth, and has had success with expanding and attracting strategic operators like regional chainlets, restaurants, and a soft-goods retailer.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Semblance Medspa to Albany’s newest neighborhood,” said executive director of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District Georgette Steffens. “Steuben Walk has become a destination for our 20,000+ daytime employees and downtown and Capital Region residents seeking state-of-the-art professional health, wellness and beauty services. Dr. Sajid and her team are providing amenities that today’s urban dweller not only desire, but come to expect in thriving capital city.”
In recent years, new investment has strengthened downtown. The fabric of the neighborhood continues to evolve as new retail and downtown living opportunities come online. In the past five years more than 500 new downtown apartment units have come online and currently more than 500 units are under construction.
In early 2016, the City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation used resources set aside for strategic initiatives to support the creation of new grant programs. Capitalize Albany launched the Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program, a program aimed at downtown business attraction and retention that can support new and existing retail business’s interior renovations and expansions. Since its inception the Program has leveraged more than $2 million in new investment bringing new businesses online in downtown Albany; such as Stacks Espresso Bar and the Taverna — both regional chainlets; The Fort Orange General Store, a soft-goods retailer; Loch & Quay, a full service bar and restaurant; and most recently The Bishop and Semblance Medspa. The Grant Program has helped activate more than 28,000 sq. ft. of vacant retail space.
