Broadway Changes

As big box and big development move in, local establishments try to hold on.

December 11, 2015

Before the malls, before the ZCMI Center, Gateway and City Creek, downtown SLC provided destination shopping for Salt Lake Valley residents. A trip downtown was a special treat. Local institutions such as Auerbach’s, The Paris Company, Lerners, the Yardstick, the Kress five and dime store and Woolworths made window shopping an event. Buildings, beyond box-like high rises, such as the art deco Centre Theater, also drew visitors

Especially at Christmas time. Main Street and Exchange Place showcased ingenious window decorations and a Santa parade. The parade used to run at night – after Thanksgiving. As the floats and bands moved down the streets outdoor Christmas lights were lit for the first time of the season.

The combined factors of the opening of City Creek Center (which offers free parking), the doubling of fees at new, complicated meter spaces, and the bike lanes (which removed many parking spots) have shifted downtown’s local demographics. In many cases, it’s out with the old, in with the new.

Closed or Moved

Today, 300 South houses many local businesses. These eclectic shops have survived the malls and City Creek, but are now suffering due to parking restrictions and bike lanes. A few casualties and businesses that have moved:

Carmen Miranda’s: After five years, Carmen Miranda’s relocated to 2017 E 3300 S in Millcreek. Owner Carmen Miranda says that the factors precipitating the move started with the Broadway construction that severely cut traffic flow. That, “combined with people hating the new parking meters,” prompted her to seek a new location. She believes that the city was unfair when they removed parking and put in a bike lane next to the curb. Motorists now must drive down a too-narrow street and watch out for bicyclists and pedestrians. She was also frustrated when she couldn’t voice her concerns to the mayor. “One employee finally told me the mayor didn’t want to talk to me because I was too negative.”

Buxom: Buxom recently closed, but owner Jenny Hayes says it was for a “better opportunity.” She is moving to a location that will be announced at the first of the new year. She will own her new space and will offer online shopping combined with “private shopping experiences.”

Dahlia Room: Dahlia Room closed its Broadway location on November 19. They will be participating in a holiday pop-up event along with Q Clothing Boutique, Desert Rose Jewelry and Innspacism on December 3, 4 and 5 from 5 pm to 9 pm at 258 E 100 S, Salt Lake City.

Broadway Market and Pharmacy: Closed

Cinegrill: Owner Mike Page moved from the restaurant’s 21-year location on 344 S 300 E to 1000 Main Street #102 as a direct result of downtown Salt Lake City’s new parking policies.

Reuel’s Art & Frame: Closed their business at 242 E. Broadway. According to a November 2014 article in the Salt Lake Tribune, “Reuel’s Art & Frame is closing after the death of its founder and in the face of stiff competition on the Web and from chain stores.”

Cher’s Deli: Closed