There’s a famous scene in the show Friends where Ross enlists Rachel and Chandler to help him carry a couch up a narrow flight of stairs, and he ends up madly shouting, “Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!” as the too-large sofa becomes lodged in the corner of the stairway. It’s a hilarious moment, and one that reflects the far-more-serious motto for many business owners during the pandemic … [Read more...]
Re-Making Ogden: MAKE Ogden Master Plan Sees Future and Preserves Past
Whether you see it as charming or “gritty,” Ogdenites are proud of their town and have preferred to keep the sweetness of Ogden-life one of Utah’s biggest secrets. But despite efforts by locals to stay hushed and humorously embrace the stigma from its past, newcomers are discovering the endearingly scruffy beauty of Ogden, vacant lots and all. The revitalization of … [Read more...]
Impact of COVID Imposed Restrictions on Ogden and Its Businesses
Over the past eight months, small businesses and restaurants have struggled to survive restrictions established to confine the spread of Covid-19. Some have shut their doors for good, among them Kaffe Mercantile’s downtown location at 2276 Washington Blvd. The popular coffee bar still operates two other cozy sites at 1221 26th St. on Ogden’s east bench and 930 … [Read more...]
Best Staycation Within One Hour of Salt Lake: Ogden and Its Beautiful Valley
Travel these days looks a whole lot different than it did a year ago. Planes, trains, and ships are basically out of the question for most Utahns, who, by this time, would have finished their summer vacations and started planning their holiday travels. That’s why stay-cations — excursions close to home — have cabin-fevered locals traveling to places that are close enough to … [Read more...]
Ogden Valley Today: Is the booming real estate squashing out the local community?
We visited the Shooting Star Saloon to find locals who could provide leads for our story. The saloon survived prohibition by maintaining a lookout for prohibition agents, whereby, if agents or the law were seen ascending Ogden Canyon, saloon owners would be alerted to kick everyone out and shut down. Today it’s a local hangout. Inside, thousands of bills (of various … [Read more...]
How Ogden got its name
A Brief History of the Ogden Valley Prior to the arrival of the Mormon pioneers, the Ogden Valley was recognized by Indians as a special place. Abundant game in the area made the traverse across the mountain pass (now called Trapper’s Loop) a seasonal migration for the nomadic Shoshone Indians, who camped and hunted the abundant beaver, moose, elk, and waterfowl that are … [Read more...]
And She’s Dope Too: Women’s Adventure Collective Embraces the Outdoors
Have you ever taken a girls’ trip that involved paddle boarding, trail running, and mountain biking, followed by nights around a campfire? If not, AndShesDopeToo (ASDT) is here to help you have this unforgettable experience. I asked Jennifer Killian, founder of ASDT, what made her start the Ogden-based outdoor women’s collective. She explained that the business grew as a … [Read more...]
And They’re Off! Chariot Races in Ogden
"It's an adrenaline rush!" Fourteen-year-old Hutch Udy from Tremonton lights up as he shares his plan to continue in his family's 70-year old tradition of chariot racing. On a balmy winter day in Ogden, the Golden Spike Arena grandstand is filled with eager spectators awaiting the starting gate to open. "And they're off!" the starter shouts. Two chariots abreast, pulled … [Read more...]
Ogden Spring Beer Fest Postponed
"After much discussion and thought, we have decided to postpone Spring Beer Fest. As the Ogden Downtown Alliance, our concern at this time is the health and well-being of our community members and event attendees. We love Spring Beer Fest deeply and understand the benefits it brings to Downtown Ogden, which is why we’ve decided to postpone this event to a later date. … [Read more...]
Monarch Reigns Over Ogden Art Scene
Ogden has added a new crown jewel to the downtown art scene on 25thStreet. The Monarch, a renovated former parking garage, lives up to its royal name. With three large event spaces, creative studios, and space for dining and retail, the Monarch promises collaboration, creativity, and art of all kinds. The Monarch itself is a work of art. The industrial structure was built in … [Read more...]