Oneida Public Market Opening For Business

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Downtown Utica is bragging about its Baggs.

The Oneida Public Market opens for business in the Railway Express Agency, "REA," Wing of Union Station on Bagg's Square.

With a nod of recognition to the recent unpopular coverage of Utica by a non-local news agency, County Executive Anthony Picente opened with a good-natured dig directed at the "Albany Times Union." When the laughter subsided it was all business.

The County has invested about $312,000 to renovate the facility and Oneida County Tourism President Kelly Blazosky said the money was well-spent, pointing to the potential for bring together agriculture and tourism.

Market Manager Beth Irons says that there are just under thirty vendors who have signed on so far, some for the entire year, as plans to make the market year-round grow in popularity.

The market will be open Saturdays beginning June 16,2012 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. For rules, maps, and a vendor fee schedule visit: www.oneidacountymarket.com.