GUILDERLAND — Three new businesses have opened recently in a plaza with a new name — Hometown Dental Plaza. Formerly called Park Plaza, the strip mall, anchored by a dentist’s office, is on Route 20 near Carman Road.

One of the new shops, a deli called Simply Scrumptious, opened in July.

It sells sandwiches, wraps, paninis, subs, several kinds of salads, smoothies, shakes, and many other beverages including coffee.

Co-owners Candice Roberts and Garry Washington, who are engaged to be married, started the business after she graduated from nursing school, as a way to take charge of their own future together and make a good life for their seven children.

She makes the sandwiches, paninis, and salads, Roberts said, and he does the smoothies and shakes. They also have chili and one or two homemade soups on hand each day.

Heading into the cooler season, they will offer a wider array of hot foods such as chicken wings (“It’s football season!” Roberts said), lasagna, and curried chicken.

Dog groomers

The Boutique and Pet Spa houses two grooming businesses. Two groomers co-own the space and run their businesses separately inside.

One co-owner is Corey Heenan, of Corey’s Canine Creations, and the other is Melissa Francisco, who runs TransFURmations.

The shop, which opened last year, is deliberately low-volume, said Heenan; the groomers work by appointment and usually are able to groom one pet at a time from start to finish, with the result that pets are not waiting in kennels for long periods.

Each of the two groomers has 20 years of experience, Heenan said.

Men’s grooming

Contemporary barbershop Elite Detail opened its doors in August. It offers haircuts, hair designs, shaves, facials, facial massages, scalp massages, and steam treatments, says owner Demetriae McQueen. He also does color.

McQueen, who lives in Albany, has 26 years of experience as a stylist. He chose this spot, he says, because he saw a need in the area for a men’s salon that would offer superior service in an informal atmosphere.

“It’s not just a haircut,” he said, noting that he can do “everything from a classic gentlemen’s look to more trendy designs.”

What sets his shop apart, he said, is that every appointment begins with a consultation, in which the stylist can learn a little bit about the customer’s hair and skin, and the products he uses, and can make individualized suggestions of grooming techniques or products to try.

“The typical customer coming into the shop just grabs a shampoo at random,” McQueen said, and may not be aware that it’s possible to get better results with the right products.

Elite Detail uses all-natural, organic products, McQueen said.

So far, business has been slow but steady. McQueen estimates that he now has about 25 or 30 customers a week. He hopes to see that number at least double.