Celebrating new ideas, new businesses, and the people building them.
If you want to understand how communities grow, start by looking at the people behind the new businesses in Utica NY choosing to invest in their community.
And around Greater Utica lately, that investment is showing up everywhere. Family legacies. New storefronts. Creative spaces. Businesses and organizations that continue to bet on the place they call home.
A Family Legacy: Zeina’s and Lafa Mediterranean
Take Zeina’s Café on Varick Street. More than 15 years ago, Albert and Layla opened the doors and introduced Utica to Lebanese cuisine and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve been invited into someone’s home.
Their story didn’t begin here, of course. It began thousands of miles away, when they fled a devastating civil war and came to the United States looking for safety, stability, and a chance to build something new.
And build something they did.
Now their son Elias represents the next chapter. Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, bringing those same flavors to a new generation of diners craving something healthy, delicious, and easy to grab between work, errands, and everything else life throws at us.
Behind every successful local business is a story like this. Perseverance, family, and a belief that Utica is a place worth investing in.
Silk Utica Celebrates One Year
Speaking of believing in Utica, Silk recently celebrated its first anniversary.
Owner Tyler Young has created what many people now consider the “it” place to meet friends after work or settle in for a specialty cocktail and dessert later in the evening. The swanky black-and-hot-pink space has quickly become a destination for the city’s social scene, and it was the perfect setting for the Chamber’s latest Catalyst Young Professionals meetup.
Nearly sixty members of Utica’s emerging workforce packed the place last week to network, catch up, and talk about life and careers.
As one Gen Zer put it, “The energy at Silk with the Catalyst crew was a whole movie. We really slayed the night with high-key luxury cocktails and immaculate vibes.”
I’ll admit… I had to Google half of that sentence. But the point is clear: the next generation is showing up, connecting, and building their own version of community here.
Anniversaries like Silk’s are a reminder that new businesses in Utica NY aren’t just opening—they’re building places where people gather, connect, and celebrate the city’s energy.
New Retail Business at Sangertown Square and Downtown Utica
Speaking of slaying, Sangertown Square recently welcomed a new retailer ready to help the region’s trendsetters do just that. Urban Planet by Charlotte Russe has opened its doors, bringing bold, fashion-forward styles for teens and young adults at prices that won’t wipe out your wallet.
Because let’s be honest, looking sharp is great, but it’s even better if you still have money left for dinner afterward.
Meanwhile, another new business, in Downtown Utica, is helping customers explore a different kind of experience. Exit 31 Exotic offers a welcoming environment for both seasoned cannabis enthusiasts and curious newcomers. Whether you’re exploring edibles, concentrates, tinctures, or topicals, their knowledgeable budtenders can help guide you through the options and find something that fits what you’re looking for.
Not all investment comes in the form of new storefronts, though. Sometimes it shows up in the companies that have quietly supported this community for decades.
Community Connections at Munson
The Chamber’s recent Business After Hours, hosted by Strategic Financial Services at Munson, was a great example of that. Strategic has been part of the Utica community for more than 45 years, and its continued support of local events and organizations says a lot about its commitment to this region.
Nearly 200 people filled Munson’s main hall that evening, enjoying conversation, networking, and a sneak peek at some exciting upcoming museum renovations, including an expanded interactive children’s area designed to make art even more engaging for younger visitors.
And if you haven’t visited Munson in a while, add it to your to-do list.
Cities across the country would love to have a museum with the kind of collection sitting right here in downtown Utica. It’s a cultural treasure many communities would envy.
So, here’s your assignment for the month: stop by Munson, wander through the galleries, and find the piece of art that grabs you the most.
Then tell someone about it.
Over cocktails.
In your new outfit.
With falafel on your breath.
Consider this your invitation.
Check out more restaurants in Utica!
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.
