Marianne M. Barker is a well-respected leader in the Saratoga Springs business community who founded the popular and very successful Impressions of Saratoga gift shop in downtown Saratoga Springs in 1980.

Under Ms. Barker’s leadership and dedication, Impressions of Saratoga has become a destination woman-owned small business for locals and tourists to shop for all things Saratoga and equestrian-themed.

Originally from Bellmore, New York, Ms. Barker attended SUNY Cobleskill, where she met her husband, Dave Barker. They have lived in Saratoga Springs for over 45 years, moving there in
1980.

The business was initially  started by Marianne  and Dave in 1978 in Cobleskill as a screen printing and embroidery shop, adding a retail storefront in 1979, and finally moving to Saratoga Springs in 1980, where the store continues to operate at 368 Broadway. Since 2018, Ms. Barker has co- owned it with Maddy Zanetti.

A successful  small businesswoman, Ms. Barker has started several businesses in addition to Impressions, including: The Bijou Bar during  the 1980s, Racing Impressions (the licensee and merchandiser for NYRA for eight years), and Bailey’s Café, where they restored a historic building and created a thriving café.

In 2018, Ms. Barker, along with her business partner, opened their second successful retail location in Saratoga Springs, The Dark Horse Mercantile, to celebrate Saratoga’s reputation as the track where favorites are defeated by a longshot.

Ms. Barker is a believer in supporting the community in which she lives and works, both financially and through volunteerism. She is a strong supporter  of many charitable  organizations, including animal rescues.

Her leadership efforts have helped contribute  to Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County’s strong economy and quality of life. Ms. Barker has served on the Board of Directors for the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, past Chair of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau, Saratoga Springs City Center Authority, and Saratoga Springs Special Assessment District, among others.

Ms. Barker enjoys her friends and family, horses, her springer spaniels – Cookie and Pupa – gardening, cooking, traveling, and the outdoors.