Malden Travel Plaza — Local services in Town of Saugerties

I stopped here during a tornado warning; the rain was intense; there was was no visibility. Many cars had stopped at this rest area, to wait out the rain. I didn't plan to go inside because I knew I'd be soaked through, but the rain kept at it and eventually I had to use the facilities. My mask (always on) was a paper one; it got soaked through. It was sagging. Not staying on or protecting me or anyone else. In the restroom I tossed it and zipped up my lined waterproof windbreaker above my mouth and nose, tightened it so all you could see was my eyes, and I kept more than six-feet away from everyone, as I always do in public places. My mistake was to go to the convenience store to get water. I was asked to leave and without the least courtesy. I explained my situation -- the tornado warning issued via cell phone and radio; the mask getting soaked -- all with my windbreaker (waterproof) tied over my nose and mouth and keeping a good distance from the employee. They didn't offer to sell me a mask (they sold them) or offer any understanding about the wild weather (tornado was sighted just miles away in Phoenicia). I know this difficult time we're living in is bringing out the worst in all of us; it's understandable; there's a lot of fear out there, but there were any number of ways to handle someone traveling alone in suddenly extreme, threatening weather. The two women in this shop chose instead to be forcibly unkind, seemed to enjoy exercising what power they have. I went back to my car in that heavy, sideways rain, got another mask, went back in, happy to play by the rules and let them know customer service is not about bullying or shaming someone; I had no intention of harming anyone and believe wholesale in the policy they claimed to be enforcing. Nice man who worked there said these two women like to push people around. Seems so. One thing's for sure, they shouldn't be dealing with the public, especially right now, and they'll be hearing from me. And I do hope they watch the weather report tonight; they said there was "no tornado." Radar says otherwise, ladies. And being kind never...

The reststop is extremely overcharged and expensive- but thats only a minor complaint since thats all reststops. The deli really made this post. The lady working was extremely rude and kept watching me and my friends. We were touching things that we were thinking about and i think that bothered her. There are NO "no touch" signs. We got ubcomforable so we walked over to the other side of the deli- and she FOLLOWED us. I picked up a toy i was considering buying for my dog and squeezing it to make sure the squeaker worked (my dog likes squeak toys alot) and she asked me in a rude voice "are you buying that?!" My friend was looking at a cane and was asked the same thing- and when she said no she was told to put it down. So obviously i said im thinking about it. Big mistake. She followed and watched us even more, so i put it down and we all left as fast as we could. If we felt more comfortable we might of actually brought something, but the lady gave us the stink eye the entire time. If you look young, like actually interacting with products before you decide to buy them, do NOT go here. The other parts of the tavern are fine, just expensive. But the deli?...

One of our favorite rest stops on the NYS Thruway. (Probably because it's always the last stop we make before we get on the Adirondack Northway portion of I-87 & reminds us that we're now only an hour away from home sweet home! 🏠) The restrooms are always well maintained & clean. There's a very good variety of food & beverage 🍟🍔🍦🍩 vendors who always have fresh coffee ☕, plus the gift shop/deli is fully stocked 🛒 with all of the types of things that travelers could need. And of course, they have a full service gas station to keep you rolling merrily along.⛽ The place is busy, but not overly so, no matter what time of the day🌞 or night🌜 we might happen to stop. We very highly recommend the Malden Service Center for a quick OR a leisurely stop while traveling...