It’s starting to feel like we’re in the home stretch of the pandemic with vaccine distribution finally underway. We are looking forward to the summer months when the impacts from the vaccine start to take hold and outdoor dining becomes an option again. Until then, our retail businesses need customers as much as ever. Let’s be sure to support our shops and restaurants to make sure they make it through for us to enjoy after the pandemic!

Recently Opened:

The Ivy | 55 West 100 South
This cocktail bar-restaurant has been in the works for a little while now and was finally able to open its doors recently. It considers itself a modern American bar offering a contemporary, ingredient-led menu. Personally, I’m hoping the falafel waffle tastes as good as it is fun to say, but there are plenty of mouthwatering options available. Look forward to patio season as they are reinvigorating the old Caffé Molise patio, and they’re working on a secluded outdoor space for private events.

Janela Bay | At City Creek Center
Based in Orem, Janela Bay designs stylish but modest swimsuits for all body types. You’ll find a selection of one-piece suits and tankinis, and they even have maternity designs and kids’ suits.

Paper Source | At City Creek Center
This stationary chain opened just in time for Valentine’s Day! Visit to get your hands on custom cards and gift supplies to send to all of your valentines even if you won’t be able to see them in person this year. Of course, you can visit year-round to get everything from custom stationary and calendars to craft kits and party supplies.

Varley | 63 West 100 South
Sister concept to The Ivy, Varley is located right next door. They even share a kitchen so you can order from a selection of the food menu in addition to one of the signature cocktails. The space is outfitted with custom wood tables and other elegant finishes. Varley is brought to you by the folks behind Soundwell, so we expect to see some great live music over time.

Opening Soon:

Ascoli Espresso | 30 East Broadway
Its flagship store is at Pike Place Market in Seattle, but Ascoli Espresso is preparing to open a location in the center of Downtown SLC. You can expect a true Seattle coffee experience as they bring their signature blends and pastries. The coffee shop is expected to open for business next month.

Cotton On Kids | At City Creek Center
Hailing from Australia, Cotton On has proven to be a popular fashion outlet among hip Salt Lakers. City Creek Center is preparing to add a version geared specifically toward an even younger audience.

Edison Street Brewery | 229 South Edison Street
We’ve been hearing rumors for a while about a brewery going in on the east side of Edison. While we still don’t know much about it, we did receive confirmation just last week. You know we’ll share details as soon as we know more!

Karma | 122 West Pierpont Avenue
We recently noticed the signs change on the spot that most recently featured Button Down. It is set to be another nightclub, maintaining the growing nightlife in the area. 

Niccoli’s I 270 South 300 East
I shared this one with you a few months ago, but have since learned more details that it only felt right to provide an update. Behind the Italian market featuring high-quality local and imported goods, Niccoli’s will include a fine-dining space featuring special chef tasting menus. They are planning 3 private suites that will be utilized for special events and available for private functions. There also some unique amenities in the works, like a water sommelier as is trending in many major cities. Niccoli’s is expected to open next month.

Regent Street Restaurant | 126 Regent Street
The team behind Silver Star Café in Park City is coming down the canyon to develop a new restaurant concept in SLC. The space was formerly occupied by Fireside has sat vacant for a while now, but is sure to see new life with this activation anticipated to open by early summer.

Roctaco | 248 South Edison Street
This storefront on Edison has been a work in progress for quite some time. Its Instagram feed features some gourmet-looking taco concoctions. If nothing else, we can appreciate the enormous octopus mural made by local artist Chris Peterson on the exterior! Did I mention there’s a walk-up window?

TruFusion | At The Gateway
The Gateway will soon be home to a 13,000 square foot gym. This will be the first location for TruFusion, a national boutique gym chain with an innovative focus on group fitness and yoga. Situated on the corner of 100 South and Rio Grande, the gym will prove to be a valuable amenity on the west side of downtown as workers start to return to their offices and residential density continues to increase. Keep an eye on The Gateway as we hear there are some other new concepts in the works!

Uniquely Utah Souvenir Co. | 122 South Main Street
Tourism may not be at its peak right now, but Uniquely Utah will be ready for visitors as early as next month. They are working with local artists and businesses to curate a selection of unique merchandise for anyone to bring home memories of Salt Lake City. The store is perfectly situated on Main Street just south of City Creek Center.

Why Kiki | 67 West 100 South
Drive down 100 South and you’ll notice a new pink facade just in front of the Salt Palace. Downtown Salt Lake City will soon be home to a tiki bar called Why Kiki. Their Facebook page features a recently-posted video touring the space, which looks ready to open very soon. It also previewed some tiki glasses, so get excited for some tropical drinks!

Do you know of a new business I missed? Got a tip of one getting ready to open? Let me know at !

Shop, eat and gift local this holiday season with Downtown Dollars! Featuring dozens of downtown bars, restaurants and retailers. This electronic gift card can be spent at many of your favorite downtown merchants and is a great gift for your besties (including you!). Simply show your eGift Card on your mobile device at participating retailers to use.

Bonus Bucks are funded by a Shop In Utah grant and can be spent just like Downtown Dollars at all participating businesses. Click the button below to purchase your Downtown Dollars and browse participating businesses. 

*The Bonus Bucks offer expires 12/31/2020, or when available funds run out. Purchased Downtown Dollars do not expire, but the extra Bonus Bucks must be spent by 5/31/2021.

Don’t see your favorite downtown business listed? Have them contact to enroll as a participating business!

Buy Downtown Dollars!

FAQ

How can I purchase Downtown Dollars and receive Bonus Bucks?
Click on the "Buy Downtown Dollars" button above. When you purchase your Downtown Dollars in eligible amounts, you will automatically receive Bonus Bucks to spend at your favorite merchants.

How does the Bonus Bucks pricing structure work?
Purchase $50 or more in Downtown Dollars, get $10 in Bonus Bucks!

Where can I spend Downtown Dollars?
Downtown Dollars can be spent at any participating downtown business. You can view the list and map HERE. More businesses are being added all the time! Click here to add your business.

How can I purchase Downtown Dollars and Bonus Bucks for someone else or give them as a gift?
When purchasing Downtown Dollars, you enter the recipient’s name and email address to send directly to them to redeem, or you can send the eGift Card to yourself and forward the information to them. You have the option to send your original Downtown Dollars purchase and the extra Bonus Bucks to separate recipients.

Do Downtown Dollars and Bonus Bucks expire?
The purchased value of your Downtown Dollars do not expire. Bonus Bucks must be used by 05/31/2021 After 12 months of inactivity, a $3 fee will occur monthly.

Recent rule changes now allow downtown restaurants and bars to add seating in adjacent outdoor (or indoor) areas. Retailers can also activate additional space. The intention is to allow businesses more physical space to operate under health guidelines that require physical distancing among patrons and workers.

“Downtown restaurants have been innovative in adapting their operations and implementing health safety guidelines. But to achieve physical distance standards between diners, restaurants have reduced their guest capacity by 40 to 70 percent. We are hopeful that many restaurants can expand their safe seating under these new provisions,” says Dee Brewer, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance. 

Downtown Alliance has been working with other economic development and business associations in support of provisions that would let businesses expand their footprint for service.

Mayor Mendenhall’s Emergency Proclamation No. 11 temporarily relaxes rules throughout  Salt Lake City. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) also temporarily amended regulations to allow alcohol service in those outdoor areas. 

This week, 117 downtown restaurants are open with dine-in and/or take-out service. The number of open downtown restaurants has grown each week since May 9. Some customers are dining in restaurants. Some are dining on restaurant patios.  Some are picking up their favorite meals and picnicking at Gallivan Center, the State Capitol or other nearby public spaces.

Related Articles: 

Utah Gives Restaurants A Break for Alcohol Service Outdoors  The Salt Lake Tribune

Salt Lake City restaurants, shops cheer as mayor allows them to expand into parking areas, side yards during coronavirus The Salt Lake Tribune