Our contributors spend their days exploring Utah’s backroads, main streets, and mountain towns, sharing their favorite hidden gems and local staples. From indie bookstores to coffeehouses tucked between red rocks, here’s where our team loves to shop, eat, and linger.

Park City

Brandi Christoffersen

• Dolly’s Bookstore – A Park City classic since 1972, Dolly’s Bookstore on Main Street combines literary charm with local history. The warm lighting, resident cat, and shelves packed with new releases and mountain-town favorites make this store a destination for book lovers of all ages.
  

Helper, Price & Torrey

Bianca Dumas

• Bug and Bird (Helper) – A creative boutique that reflects Helper’s artistic renaissance, showcasing handcrafted pieces and local curiosities.
  
• Rock Shop (Price) – A small-town treasure for geology buffs and collectors alike.
  
• Shooke Coffee (Torrey) – A cozy stop for espresso and pastries before or after exploring Capitol Reef.
  
• The Old House on Center and Main (Torrey) – A nostalgic mix of local goods, crafts, and antiques that feels like stepping back in time.
  
• The Kiva Koffeehouse (between Boulder and Escalante) – Perched dramatically between slickrock cliffs, it’s as much a scenic stop as a coffee destination.
  

Salt Lake City

Nicole Anderson

• The Dutch Store – A nostalgic, European-style market filled with imported goods, candies, and Dutch favorites.
  
• Backyard Birds – A cheerful shop celebrating backyard life with whimsical birdhouses, feeders, and gifts.
  
• Roots Café – Equal parts café and community hub, it serves up wholesome food alongside quirky, eclectic décor (including pink flamingos).
  

Connie Lewis

• The Nerd Store – With locations at Valley Fair Mall, The Gateway, and University Mall, this haven for pop culture fans carries comics, collectibles, and gaming gear in a fun, community-centered atmosphere.
  
• Caputo’s Market & Deli – A Utah staple for Italian imports, artisan cheese, and deli favorites.
  
• Pirate O’s Gourmet Market – A treasure trove of international treats and rare snacks.
  

Golda Hukic-Markosian

• European Tastees & Europa Market – Offering authentic European goods (especially chocolates) and flavors you won’t find in standard grocery aisles.
  
• Sigfried’s Deli – A German-inspired eatery serving schnitzel, bratwurst, and comfort classics. However, my favorite part is the section of German goods where you can find anything from chocolates to sauces and Knödeln.
  
• Commerce & Craft and Lillie Bee Emporium – A refined local shop blending art, gifts, and craftsmanship.
  
• Ward & Child – A garden boutique full of elegant and imaginative outdoor decor and around holidays Christmas decorations.
  
• Dog’s Meow – A locally beloved pet store for discerning dogs (and their humans).

• Hatch Family Chocolates – I love chocolate, and while I often indulge in imported European varieties, this local shop easily holds its own against the finest Swiss or Belgian chocolatiers.
  

Bianca Dumas

• The Green Ant (Salt Lake City) – Mid-century modern furniture meets retro flair — an interior design lover’s dream.
  
• George’s Architectural Salvage (Salt Lake City) – The place to find one-of-a-kind pieces and historic hardware with stories of their own.

Moab

Blaine Reniger

• Moab Made – A collective art space that supports and celebrates local makers. From pottery and jewelry to herbal products, everything here is Utah-made.
  

Rachel Fixsen

• Moonflower Community Cooperative – A community cornerstone offering organic and local groceries, classes, and small grants to local projects.
  
• Gearheads – The go-to gear shop for outdoor enthusiasts, complete with free filtered water for campers and vanlifers.
  
• Desert Thread – A yarn and fiber shop run by a passionate craftsperson, fostering creativity through workshops and handmade goods.
  

Ogden

Taylor Hartman & Cathy McKitrick

• Queen Bee Gifts – A boutique filled with gourmet chocolate, books, and thoughtful gifts. Recently under new ownership, it’s quickly becoming a favorite gathering spot for chocolate tastings and local shopping.
  
• Needlepoint Joint – A long-standing shop for fiber arts lovers, offering everything from embroidery to specialty yarns.
  

From the sandstone canyons of Moab to the snowy streets of Park City, these shops embody what we at Utah Stories cherish most — local flavor, creativity, and connection.

Whether you’re gift-hunting, coffee-sipping, or browsing for the perfect handmade treasure, Utah’s small businesses are what make this state truly shine.

Nominate Your Favorite Local Shop!
Do you have a go-to spot for unique Utah-made gifts? We want to hear from you.

Submit your favorite local chop HERE and tell us why it deserves to be featured in our next Utah Stories gift guide.