Utica businesses try to block food pantry from moving in

Some Utica business owners are looking to stop a food pantry from moving into their area.

Calling the idea "a step in the wrong direction," shop owners are expressing concern that "Feed Our Vets," a not-for-profit whose mission is to help homeless veterans, wouldn't be a good fit for downtown Utica's redesigned Genessee Street.

"Feed Our Vets" presently operates in a different downtown area, in a building that may be sold, which has prompted the organization to purchase a site.

Utica Common Council First Ward member Frank Vescera tells WKTV he has received complaints from a number of Baggs Square area business owners:  he believes there is time to address the concerns before the closing of the purchase by "Feed Our Vets" of the Hall of Fame building.