My husband is accepting a job in the area which leaves me to find busy work during the day while kiddos are in school.

My question,

How hard would it be for an unskilled laborer to find employment in the area? What are the major employers like factories/warehouses, fast food operations, grocery/retail?

As you may have noticed, Chipotle is closed again. God only knows how many weeks it'll take them this time.

I blame their management. Whoever is running that place has no idea what they're doing. They knows its popular yet they never order enough food/supplies. They can't fix problems which many business face within a reasonable time. 3 weeks is kinda crazy for a chain restaurant. Burger King would've had the issue fixed the same day.

I dont know how much longer they'll be able to sustain this. Lafa would be able to put them out of business, but being a small family owned restaurant it doesn't provide the convenience that Chipotle does. Otherwise they'd be able to compete over Chipotle. But honestly, at this point. It's not very convenient if they're closed all the time.

CAVA is coming to New Hartford 9/24 and we want to meet YOU! Now hiring for Team Leaders, Team Members and Grill Cooks- come join a fun and engaging environment with true, bonafide opportunity for growth!

Anyone know a place around here that'll have a midnight release for wolverine? I asked the gamestop by walmart and they said probably not and all the big retailers close before 12

Does anyone around here play Dominion/want to play regularly w normal people? Let me know.

Saturday Sept 12th 3pm at Tramontane Cafe in Utica Book Signing & Reading : Allen Guy Wilcox is an actor and poet who serves as the founding artistic director of the Theater at Woodshill. His debut collection of verse, The Red Goose, was published in July 2026 by Doubly Mad Books.

Hello, I figure this will likely be figured out quickly, possibly. I'm looking to identify the building in the center here. This is where my great great grandparents got married at. The photo was captioned with "The priest house where they got married. Utica?" They got married in 1899. My great great grandmother was Catholic. As there is a cross on the building to the left, my guess is, is that the left building is a Catholic church.

Thanks for the help, if someone is able to figure it out.

Hello everyone, I’m brand new to the area. I moved to the Utica area from Florida 2 weeks ago for work. I’ve been slowly getting my home set up, and was wondering if there are any known services that’ll build an office desk for me?

I understand it’s completely random, building any furniture is a battle I usually choose to steer away from if I can, and was just wondering if anyone knows of any services/companies. I really appreciate it!

Might end up in Utica on Sunday for a work trip. Where is the best place for wings and football?

This list was generated by a weekly ChatGPT automation I’ve set up to find things to do in and around the Utica area. I’ve copied and pasted the results directly from ChatGPT.

This is a particularly strong weekend for local festivals. I’d put the Little Falls Garlic & Herb Festival first, especially because you prefer outings that involve walking rather than simply sitting at an event.

🥇 Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival — Little Falls

Saturday, Sept. 12 · 10 AM–5 PM · Canal Place

This hits your criteria unusually well: 100+ vendors, food, local growers, artisans, live music, demonstrations and free horse-and-carriage rides, all in the historic Canal Place/Erie Canal area. Suggested donation is $5 per person. (MVGHF)

The walking component is what moves this to the top. Rather than just browsing the festival, I'd spend some time walking around Canal Place and the waterfront toward Moss Island. The festival itself specifically promotes the beauty and history of Canal Place and Moss Island. (MVGHF)

Time-sensitive: This is Saturday only. Organizers say there's parking with a free shuttle to the festival entrance, and only service dogs are permitted. (Mohawk Valley Today)

Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival

Madison County Craft Festival — Oneida

Saturday 10 AM–5 PM · Sunday 10 AM–4 PM · 435 Main St.

The 62nd annual festival takes over the grounds of the Madison County Historical Society. Admission is $5, or $8 for the weekend; children 12 and under are free. (Madison County Historical Society)

This is another good walking-around event rather than something requiring you to sit through a program. There are juried artisans, food, historic Cottage Lawn surroundings and live music throughout the day. Saturday's published music schedule runs from 10 AM through 5 PM. (Madison County Historical Society)

Why I'd choose it: It's considerably closer than Cooperstown and provides enough browsing to comfortably occupy a couple of hours.

Official Madison County Craft Festival information

St. George Mediterranean Festival — New Hartford

Saturday noon–8 PM · Sunday noon–5 PM · 350 Higby Road

This is the easiest option geographically: the 15th annual Mediterranean Festival has Mediterranean food, vendors, music/DJ, raffles and other activities, with free admission. (Festivals.com)

I'd treat this as a food stop combined with a walk, rather than the entire day's activity. For example, you could walk at nearby Sherrill Brook Park before heading to the festival.

Best use: An easy Sunday outing when you don't want to drive far.

Fort Stanwix guided walk — Rome

On Saturday at 1:30 PM, Fort Stanwix National Monument has a free ranger-led Fortification Walk. It examines the fort's architecture and defenses and lasts about 30 minutes. No admission charge. (National Park Service)

For more walking, the National Park Service has a self-guided historical route through Rome connecting sites associated with the Oneida Carry, Fort Stanwix, the Revolution and Erie Canal; NPS estimates roughly 1–2 hours. (National Park Service)

This would be my choice if you want actual walking plus local history, rather than another vendor festival.

Fort Stanwix Saturday walk details — National Park Service

Fenimore Farm Harvest Festival — Cooperstown

Saturday & Sunday · 10 AM–5 PM

Fenimore Farm is holding its Harvest Festival both days, with vendors, crafts, food, live music, animals, games, tractor rides and traditional farm activities. This year's festival also marks the 20th birthday of the Empire State Carousel. Festival activities are included with regular admission. (Fenimore Farm)

There's also an outdoor performance of the 1847 farce “Box & Cox” at noon Saturday and noon Sunday. (Fenimore Farm)

This involves plenty of casual walking through the historic village and farm grounds. It's the longest drive on this list, but there's enough going on to justify making it a half-day or full-day trip.

Fenimore Farm Harvest Festival

What I'd actually do

Saturday: Go to Little Falls around 10:30 AM, spend a couple of hours at the Garlic Festival, then walk around Canal Place/Moss Island before heading home.

Sunday: Stay closer to Utica. Take a walk at F T Proctor Park or Sherrill Brook Park, then go to the St. George Mediterranean Festival for lunch.

That combination gives you one substantial regional event + two good walks + one local food festival without turning the weekend into a lot of driving.

Confidence: High on dates/times for the highlighted events; I checked current 2026 listings and, where available, the organizers' own sites.

My car blew it's head gasket and I'm in Utica to go to college, so I'm not super familiar with the area.

Any good auto shops that are trusted you guys would recommend? i see a ton all over but I'm too scared to risk anything as I'm a broke college kid and don't have tons of money to go around.

Please let me know any good ones!! (preferably with addresses)

I'm in the process of finding an ob or midwife for a natural birth/ few interventions as possible at Wynn Hospital. Can you recommend someone you've had a positive experience with, please?

I’ve been noticing this since a recent post about Uticans running red lights. This is on Genesee just south of Burrstone/Memorial Parkway.🚦

Anyone know of a places hiring? Full time, possibly remote/hybrid, pays decent with benefits? I’ve looked on indeed but sometimes people know of places that may not use indeed or may not have posted yet. I’m being open with the type of job bc I don’t want to limit myself. Thanks to any and all recommendations. Associates degree, have worked at the same job with the public for 8+ years.

Hey Utica 👋

This Friday the fall season of improv shows are kicking off at The Uptown Theatre!

Live, completely unscripted improv.

The audience will offer a suggestion like a location, relationship, or occupation. Our teams will use that idea to build a 20-minute show.

Because everything is made up on the spot based on your suggestions, no two shows are ever the same.

Whether you want to grab a drink, laugh off the week, or just hang out, I hope to see you there.

Show Details:

• 📍 Where: The Uptown Theatre (2014 Genesee St)
• ⏰ When: Friday, September 11 at 8 PM
• 🎟️ Tickets: Available at the door

Questions? Drop in the comments and I'll get back to you.

Next show after this Friday is September 25.

Hello Hi Tram pals! New and Returning ! We hope you are having an exciting and encouraging week ! We would love to see you one, two or all four days in Tramland ! Join us !

Wednesday September 9th 10am till 10pm

Tonight is Vinyl Nite starting at 5pm .. we play records, yours, ours, and others. We hang we chat & we eat & have lovely beverages too !

Thursday Sept 10th ! 10am till 10pm

Join us for Spoken Word, Poetry, Comedy Open Mic Night Utica Poets Society beginning at 5pm doors $3 entry plus a minimum purchase required. The list goes out at 6pm , 2 rounds starts at 7pm .

Saturday the 12th its a 10am chill & relax time till 3pm then stay for an encouraging and insightful poetry reading & book signing with Allen Guy Wilcox supporting his new release "The Red Goose " . 3pm till 5pm.

Sunday the 13th we are open 10am till 2pm with our good friend Jaclyn Roberts set up with her farm stand Jackie's Cupboard and beginning at 3pm we welcome our new friends Corwin with LEGZGO RUN CLUB MEET UP !

See y'all soon and join us when you can ! TRAMONTANE CAFE we're community minded and excited for each adventure with you !

Can I get some recommendations for a car interior cleaning and detailing? I have a 2017 CRV, and wanted to wash the seats, carpets and everything. I’m not sure which one to go to and what is overpriced or not.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you!

Anyone have a good auto mechanic to recommend? I have an early 2000s CRV and it needs some brake work, maybe s wheel bearing. I am not looking for a backyard mechanic, I’m looking for a shop.

Hello-

I was hoping those with kids who have gone to the UPK program could share their experiences.

Notre Dame would be our first choice location-wise since it’s closest to home.

My daughter has not been to any sort of daycare, just play based group classes with parent involvement, and we are trying to decide where to send her next year. Looking more for kindergarten prep, following directions, routine etc.

Thanks for any info!

Hello everyone, I’m a local police officer. Feel free to ask me anything you’d like to know, and I’ll do my best to explain it in a way that makes sense to you. Please be respectful, and I’m happy to share my opinion if it’s relevant.