From Homebrew to Business Success Sage Dawson and Lynn Litchfield—owners of Toasted Barrel Brewery next door to The Soup Kitchen in SLC—say they got into the beer brewing biz because “We have an extreme passion for good beers and couldn't find the special sour beers we wanted here, so that made us take the leap.” Although they’re now proud owners of a brewery specializing in … [Read more...]
The Old Dutch Store -Holland Exports Flavors to Sugar House
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...]
A Spinning Journey
It was late at night and my two young children were finally asleep. The washing machine and dishwasher were humming in the background as I sat watching Oprah and knitting a hat. Oprah was talking about living your passion. It was a great uplifting show and as I fell asleep that night I was thinking about what my passion was. That night I dreamed of living … [Read more...]
Plexiglass with Class – Ghost Long Board
Skateboarding has not historically been considered a family sport, but neighbors and business partners Russ Warner and Brent Johnson are on a mission to challenge the stereotypes of skate culture. Their company is Ghost Long Board. Located in Cedar Hills, it makes plexiglass longboards designed to get the whole family outside and active. Russ grew up … [Read more...]
B & W Apothecary
In 2003, after spending a year deployed in the hot dry air of Iraq as an Army diesel mechanic and later experiencing skin cancer, Brandi Nealis decided her skin needed some TLC. As a result, B & W Apothecary was born. Her project started five years ago when she experimented with making her own lotions. “It took forever to get the right consistency and learn … [Read more...]
Taking Back Our Economy One Bar of Soap At a Time
Welcome to Riverton! Welcome to Sandy! Welcome to Bountiful! Traveling along the Wasatch Front, we see evidence of the larger problem of the American economy: homogenous central retail shopping districts. It’s like a bad radio station that only cycles through the top 10 hits. “And now for more oldies but goodies: Walmart! Costco! Applebees! McDonalds! And if you missed … [Read more...]
Utah December Activities
November 3 – December 18 Glass Art Show at Red Butte Garden. The Glass Art Guild of Utah returns to Red Butte Garden for the 16th Annual show of kiln work and blown glass. Large and small pieces including garden art, decorative boxes, plates, trays, bowls, sculptural works, and jewelry pieces will be on display. Items displayed will be available for sale. Regular garden … [Read more...]
Stunning Skulls: Turning Animal Skulls into Art
I’d never thought of animal skulls as having much eye appeal and I certainly never thought of them as beautiful. But I changed my mind when I got a look at Joni Ballif’s stunning skull creations. Joni is the creator/owner of a unique Utah-based business called Boho Chic Skulls. She takes dead animal skulls that she acquires from livestock dealers, pawn shops, slaughter … [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...]
John Young: Luthier
"A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit, and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy." -Albert Einstein I spent a recent morning in a violin maker’s shop, being given a tour by its luthier, John Young. John picks up a future violin, a pair of wooden boards, and we look at the flaming of the grain. He shows me a scattering of violin pieces, ribs, … [Read more...]