Dawn Oesch, president of the Downtown Business Association and owner of The Candy Company of Saratoga Springs, said some information was sent out in the last newsletter and representatives of the Steeplechasers, a fundraising group for UPH, spoke at this month’s DBA meeting.

“It’s a great way to tie UPH and downtown businesses together,” Oesch said. “Both will reap the benefits.”

Marianne Barker, co-owner of Impressions of Saratoga, agrees.

“I think UPH will be a huge asset to downtown when it’s completed,” Barker said.

Oesch said it could be a menu item, article of clothing or drink, depending on what business you are. For the Candy Company of Saratoga Springs, Oesch said she is making a crispy chocolate bar with the UPH logo on it.

Barker is making UPH the newest member of the “Saratoga Collection” of Cat’s Meow Villages. Barker said Cat’s Meow make wooden replicas of buildings and locations in the city. Impressions’ is the exclusive dealer of Cat’s Meow in the area, Barker said.

Other members of the collection are the Grand Union Hotel, the Canfield Casino, City Hall and Congress Park.

“It makes sense for that to be our next edition,” Barker said. “I’ve wanted to incorporate UPH for a while.”

She said she will be donating a portion of the proceeds to UPH.

“It’s such a beautiful building,” Barker said. “I think it’s a great project.”

Barker would like to have the replicas in by the holidays, but it normally takes about three months for them to come once the design is finished.

Depending on the item, the individual business can choose how much of the proceeds will go to UPH.

“For me all the proceeds are going,” Oesch said.

Oesch said she’s done fundraising like this in the past, most recently the carousel in Congress  

Park. She said she raised about $500 for the carousel.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Oesch said.

With raising money for the completion of the preservation hall, she said it will also raise awareness about it.

The items will be available at participating DBA members starting on Restaurant Week – opening on Black Friday.

Universal Preservation Hall is located at 25 Washington St. For more information go to www.universalpreservationhall.org.