The store with the distinctive windmill has been a part of Sugar House since 1978. Sharon VanSchelt Wuolukka and her husband Glenn are the current owners, having purchased the business from her parents, Peter and Mitzie VanSchelt in 2003. Since opening The Old Dutch Store has welcomed immigrants, Scandinavian families, and friends old and new. An older … [Read more...]
Dara Modern: Design Store Seeks Clean, Elegant Look
Birds perched on the spouts of teapots, figures trapped in canisters trying to push their way out; a vase with multiple faces. Where can you find these eclectic objects in Salt Lake? At Dara Modern, along with place settings, silverware, furniture and kitchen devices. When Dustin Matinkah, owner of Dara Modern, bought a home in 2012, he had difficulty finding … [Read more...]
Village Cobbler Shoe Repair: These Boots Are Made for Walking
Village Cobbler Shoe Repair has long been a staple in the Salt Lake Valley. Since 1968, they have breathed renewed life into countless shoes needing a little or a lot of love. This shop is run by the Morgan family since it was founded by Rob Morgan, and is now managed by his son, Troy Morgan. Troy says, “I didn’t have much of a choice when I started working there as a teenager. … [Read more...]
Evolve Elements
After working in architectural woodwork for over 20 years, designing and selling millwork packages for commercial, academic, and retail businesses, Stan Sommer decided to venture out on his own. He saw a lot of millwork, casework and cabinetry work being outsourced to China and other countries to save money. His philosophy is that sending materials overseas creates problems … [Read more...]
Project Embrace: Utah Startup is Changing Lives by Changing Perceptions
Project Embrace founder, Mohan Sudabattula, talks about how his connection to Utah evolved into a company that donates medical waste to balance global medical inequality. Mohan is a student of Biology, Philosophy and Health Policy from India, but his relationship to Utah innovation goes back years. “I grew up dancing at University of Utah campus events,” he said. Carving a Nic … [Read more...]
Flora/Fauna Wines—Small, Independently Owned, Local Wine Brokerage
Brett Ludemann, CSW, (Certified Specialist of Wine) is not new to the liquor business in Utah. He worked for a large wine brokerage in town for ten years before starting Flora/Fauna in January 2017, after being approached by a producer out of California that wanted to sell wine in Utah. Opportunity knocked and Ludemann answered with Flora/Fauna Wines. “The name Flora/Fauna a … [Read more...]
Black Diamond—Disruptor and Sustainer of Utah’s Outdoor Industry
This year will be a noteworthy one for outdoor equipment companies nationwide. It will mark the first time in 22 years that the Outdoor Retailer Summer and Winter markets will not be held in Utah. The markets constituted the State’s largest bi-annual convention and drew approximately $45 million in annual direct spending to the state. Emerald Expositions, which owns the m … [Read more...]
Uintah Collection: Lifestyle Gear Beyond Yoga
Bringing Business Home Uintah Collection started in a showroom at New York City’s Garment Center. The business moved to California after a factory closure and, finally, made its way home to Salt Lake City at 209 East Broadway. “We like swim fabric because you can saturate it. Water or sweat, it works really well,” said mother of two, co-owner and Bikram Yogi, Heather Carlo … [Read more...]
Utah Small Business Marketplace Innovators
As we present our annual holiday shopping guide and December issue we focus on marketplace innovators, and those who defy the laws of business and market trends. For every ten business launches in the US, five will go out of business in the first year, and eight out of ten will fail within the first five years. Small business starts are at an all-time low, but there are … [Read more...]
Shop & Try Local on Black Friday
Salsa Del Diablo We started making salsa over 17 years ago out of the shear love of salsa. Since then we have been improving and refining our recipes. Having lived in Arizona and California, our inspiration is to make authentic, flavorful and unforgettable salsa. We produce small batch salsa that is smoky,sweet, savory and so sensational that customers have described it as … [Read more...]