Once upon a time we shopped by taking leisurely strolls along public sidewalks. We stopped and looked at shop windows. On display were objects designed to grab attention and lure potential customers inside to start a conversation. The conversation went something like this: “How are you doing today?” “Fine.” “Is there anything in particular I can help you find?” “No, I’m ju … [Read more...]
Top Hat Video: Get the Popcorn!
In 1983, when every street corner had a video rental business, Lee and Lona Earl got in on the ground floor with a franchised Adventureland Video store. They started out at Five Points Mall in Bountiful and remained with Adventureland until that business closed. They looked at options with Aardvark Video or Warner Video. They chose instead to venture out with a … [Read more...]
Three Young Farmers You’ll Find at SLC’s Rio Grande Winter Market
Grand Prismatic Seed James Young and Guy Banner started Grand Prismatic Seed in 2016 after they returned to Salt Lake City from Oregon, where they learned to grow and save seeds. Their backgrounds are in ethnobotany, habitat restoration, and native-seed production. Grand Prismatic Seed is committed to using organic growing practices and selling primarily … [Read more...]
Dropping In At Quarters Arcade Bar
Ding … Ding … Ding … A pinball machine lets you know you’re a winner, and Quarters Arcade Bar lets you celebrate at the same time. Founded by Michael Eccleston and Katie Willis, the bar brings the vibrant combination of craft cocktails and beer with classic arcade games to Salt Lake City. Quarters is located in what used to be the Club Manhattan on 5 East and 400 South. The c … [Read more...]
Ogden Man Creates Original Bicycles from Cast-Off Parts
If you’ve noticed some strange bicycles around Ogden lately, you probably have Mark Johnson to thank. Johnson, a jiu-jitsu instructor who taught English at Ogden High for 21 years, has been building custom bicycles out of old parts and other salvage for his new company, UpCycle: Bikes and Boards. “My buddy was making bikes out of old bikes so I bought a couple from him. I’ve … [Read more...]
Desert Hive Supply: Ogden Firm Puts Beehives in the Beehive State
Are you interested in natural sweeteners, supporting local farms and gardens, wearing a big hat, and saving the planet? If so, you should look into beekeeping. And the first place you should look is Deseret Hive Supply in Ogden. This beekeeping supply store has everything you need to get started and be successful as a hobbyist beekeeper. I spoke with owners Vic and Annessa … [Read more...]
Dirty Man Scrubs: an Alternative Way to Care for your Skin
Leaving corporate life wasn’t exactly a choice for Collin Straka, co-founder of Dirty Man Scrubs. Straka is a self-proclaimed "intrapreneur", defined by Forbes contributor David K. Williams in October 2013, as a team player who thinks like a business owner within their company roles. “At a certain level, it’s just part of the DNA,” Straka said. “I see a problem and I want to fin … [Read more...]
Avenues Barber: Keeping Men Handsome for over a Century
I am sitting in a large old-fashioned barber chair in Ben Paul’s shop while he runs a set of clippers over my head. “I really didn’t think I would end up cutting hair,” Ben says. “I went to get my hair cut at this hole-in-the-wall shop in Sugar House. It had such a cool vibe and was such an honest experience that it left an impression on me. I went home and talked to my wife, an … [Read more...]
Turning the Page on “Big Book”
In the early naughts, myriad wealth reports predicted the eventual extinction of the independent bookshop—Amazon, by this time, had become an ever-present goliath; Barnes & Nobles had hundred of stores, and more were popping up everywhere, seemingly every week. On the surface, the dire prediction made sense; the way things go in our world, it was inevitable. And it stirred u … [Read more...]
Ma and Paws Bakery
More and more nutritionists are pushing the importance of eating natural, raw foods and avoiding processed products. Megan Kilpatrick, owner of Ma and Paws Bakery in Salt Lake, says the same principles apply to your pets. Her store features “Quality natural, holistic, organic and raw foods, supplements, and fresh bakery treats” along with other supplies for your dogs and cats. T … [Read more...]