The Voice of Local Utah

Podcast

State Liquor Stores Essential, Local Restaurants Are Not?!

Liquor is deemed by the state as essential if bought at state liquor stores. But not essential if the livelihoods of small business owners are in question. Why is this?

by

Richard Markosian

|

As Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall decided to extend restaurant and bar closures to at least May 1st, State Liquor stores have long lines as customers wait for their essential remedies for staying home.

Liquor is deemed by the state as essential if bought at state liquor stores. But not essential if the livelihoods of small business owners are in question. Why is this?

In this episode of the Utah Stories podcast, we discuss this issue with local restaurant owner Eddee Johanson, the owner of Yoshis Japanese Grill.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:

WATCH THE VIDEO:

FOR MORE UTAH STORIES PODCASTS GO HERE.

Richard Markosian

I am a story teller and journalist. I have a passion for farmers, local craftspeople, and folks who aspire to create, build and grow their business in the local marketplace. Why local? By supporting locally-owned businesses we create more opportunity for entrepreneurs, and we claim our sovereignty to shape our communities how we want to see them. I aspire to build Utah Stories Magazine into a household Utah name, and assist Utah businesses and makers with marketing. On the journalism side of things my passion is investigative journalism that offers true insight into issues. I believe strongly in the forth estate: strong, meaningful, insightful journalism is essential to a free market Democracy.

Join our newsletter.
Stay informed.

Join Utah Stories Newsletter

  • Local Spotlight

    What’s Behind the Buzz Around The Salted Roots?

    Salted Roots began as simple kitchen experiments and quickly grew into one of Utah’s most talked-about small-batch food brands. Founder Ivy Watrous has been cooking since childhood, blending bold flavors with careful technique. Today, her handcrafted salts and sugars are showing up in farmers markets, home kitchens, and even cocktail menus — each one shaped by personal stories, long hours, and a commitment to doing things the hard way when it matters.


  • Podcast

    AI Can’t Turn a Wrench: Why Skilled Trades Are the Future of Work

    As AI takes over more white-collar jobs, trades rooted in human skill and intuition are rising in value. At Clarks Auto, Alan Boyer shares why hands-on work still matters — and how raising curious, capable kids today could shape the workforce of tomorrow.


  • Utah Stories

    Homeless Senior Citizens Speak Out as Utah’s Housing Crisis Pushes Them to the Streets

    They worked their whole lives. Now, Utah’s seniors are sleeping under bridges, watching their belongings bulldozed into dumpsters, and fighting to survive freezing nights. In their own words, they speak out about a system that’s failed them and the rare model that’s giving them hope and a second chance.


  • Podcast

    Ken Sanders on Edward Abbey and the Monkey Wrench Legacy

    In the canyons of southern Utah, where red rock and rebellion intertwine, Ken Sanders remembers his years alongside Edward Abbey. From river trips through Cataract Canyon to persuading R. Crumb to illustrate The Monkey Wrench Gang, Sanders reflects on the friendships, stunts, and ideas that helped ignite a movement.