A new business is opening up near Varick Street, but it's not the kind of place you're thinking of.

Members of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Robert Palmieri attended a ribbon cutting at the new Utica Custom T-Shirt Company on Columbia Street.

Owner Adrianne Zito says her business produces graphic tees and other clothing, but allows artists and charities to get involved in the process, too.

"We are going to have a charity shirt every month for a certain charity," Zito said. "This month is the Food Bank... five dollars from each shirt sold will go to that charity."

The store has also developed a line of t-shirts featuring designs by local artists, including Robert Cimbalo, Frank Viola and Christine Tisa.

Gino Geruntino, WIBX
Gino Geruntino, WIBX
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Pamela Matt, Executive Director of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce says the new business is displaying a new vibrancy in the city.

"Any new business that comes to this region is fabulous for the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce and the region," Matt said. "I especially love the fact that this is a small company, she's used the word 'Utica' in it, she's a female entrepreneur which I happen to hold close at heart, and I just love the location. She's renovated the building."

Matt also sees this as a small bit of revitalization for downtown Utica.

"It's showing that people are coming back to the City of Utica to start their businesses," Matt said. "They're not going to be in the suburbs, they're going to take a risk in the city. I think that's what we all need to do. There is such community pride and love of this region."

For more information about The Utica Custom T-Shirt Company, click here or visit their store at 604 Columbia Street.

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