What’s New, Utica?
Celebrating New Ideas, New Businesses, and the People Building Them
Some cities get another chain restaurant. Another beige office buzzing with harsh overhead fluorescent lighting. Another place that makes you wonder if anyone involved has ever experienced joy.
And then there’s Utica.
Around here lately, people are opening businesses rooted in connection, creativity, care, and community. Businesses that feel personal. Businesses built by people who genuinely want to make life a little better, easier, tastier, calmer, or more interesting for the rest of us.
Honestly? That feels worth celebrating.
New Businesses in Utica Focused on Community and Care
Take Henderson’s Home Care, for example. While some entrepreneurs chase trends, owner Mallory Mazurowski focuses on something far more important: helping people stay comfortable, independent, and cared for in their own homes. The kind of work that quietly strengthens a community from the inside out.
That same spirit of empowerment drives the LaVell Robinson Leadership Institute, where Joniquia Robinson is helping shape the next generation of Black leaders and changemakers. Because thriving communities don’t happen by accident. Somebody has to step up and lead.
Speaking of leadership, local entrepreneur Jackie Walters recently launched Jackie Walters Consulting, helping businesses and organizations sharpen their strategy, vision, and operations. Every growing region needs dreamers. But it also needs people who can walk into chaos, sip their coffee, and turn sticky notes into an actual plan.
Local Tech and Wellness Apps Bringing New Energy to Utica
But wait, let’s talk tech.
Apps like Top Townie and Nyano are tapping into something people everywhere are craving right now: discovery.
Created by local duo Kristin and Justin Hiza, Top Townie helps people discover local restaurants, businesses, events, and hidden gems without spiraling through social media until you’re suddenly wondering why everyone else appears to be drinking cocktails on a boat in Greece.
Meanwhile, local entrepreneur Ujj Rai created Nyano, a wellness app built around something surprisingly rare these days: gentleness.
Instead of more pressure, data, or “optimize your life” energy, Nyano focuses on slowing down, breathing, and checking in with yourself for a minute before the world starts demanding things from you again.
Which feels revolutionary these days.
Creativity here isn’t limited to storefronts anymore. It’s showing up in technology, wellness, community-building, and entirely new ways of connecting people to each other.
Utica Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Local Favorites
Food, of course, is still one of Utica’s great civic love languages. Somewhere in this city, somebody is passionately defending their nana’s chicken riggies recipe right now.
Crust Kitchen & Bar has expanded its footprint into Utica, bringing its handcrafted sandwiches, soups, salads, and bourbon-forward atmosphere from Rome into the city.
Chris Destito’s philosophy centers around quality ingredients and laid-back hospitality, which is exactly the kind of energy most of us are looking for by midweek.
Meanwhile, Bryce Lamberto, owner of Calabria Coffee, continues reminding us that coffee shops are no longer just places to grab caffeine. They’ve become unofficial offices, therapy sessions, networking hubs, creative studios, and occasionally the setting for someone pretending to write a screenplay while mostly scrolling Instagram … or Top Townie.
No judgment. We’ve all been there.
Businesses like A Soothing Touch and Horizon Infusions reflect a growing focus on wellness and self-care across the region. People are investing in feeling better. Slowing down. Taking care of themselves mentally and physically instead of treating burnout like a personality trait.
Supporting Local Businesses Across Greater Utica
Even longtime staples are evolving alongside the region.
Agway in Holland Patent has expanded to serve the practical side of Upstate life, reminding us that this region still values hard work, gardens, backyards, farms, muddy boots, and fixing things yourself before calling somebody else.
There’s something comforting about that.
Then there are the businesses helping people celebrate life’s biggest moments.
Whether it’s weddings, parties, community gatherings, or events where somebody’s aunt absolutely will request “Shout” before the night is over, Donelius King from D King Events knows how to turn ordinary evenings into stories people will still be laughing about over brunch the next morning.
And maybe that’s the interesting thing happening around Greater Utica right now.
The growth here doesn’t feel cold or corporate. It feels personal.
It feels like neighbors betting on neighbors. Creativity showing up in storefronts, studios, coffee shops, wellness spaces, and event venues all across the region. People building things because they genuinely believe this community is worth the effort.
That kind of optimism spreads after a while.
So this month, try somewhere new. Download the app. Order “The Negotiator” from Crust. Grab a Calabria mocha. Buy the petunias. Crank your party from a 5 to an 11.
Say yes to that eccentric tarot reader from last month’s column.
Seriously.
Consider this your invitation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Farrell is Special Projects Officer at the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, where he works to support local businesses, build community connections, and spotlight what’s new and growing across the region. He also runs WhatsUpstateNY.com—more than a website, it’s your in-hand guide to discovering the people, places, and experiences that make Upstate New York special.
Sean Farrell is Special Projects Officer at the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, where he works to support local businesses, build community connections, and spotlight what’s new and growing across the region. He also runs WhatsUpstateNY.com—more than a website, it’s your in-hand guide to discovering the people, places, and experiences that make Upstate New York special.
Original column appeared in the Daily Sentinel.
