Word on the Street - Fresh Summer Finds!
The sun is shining and the streets are buzzing with plenty of summer activity. Walk around downtown during the lunch hour and you’ll find patios filled up with happy diners. Some might say they feel like they’re in a different city, but I say this is the new normal for Salt Lakers. This vibrancy will only continue to grow with many new stores, restaurants, and bars joining the scene throughout the summer.
Of course, be sure to check out previous posts for even more upcoming downtown businesses!
Recently Opened
Böhme | At City Creek Center
The Sandy-based boutique has made its return to Downtown SLC. The Böhme sisters, originally from Brazil, curate a specialized collection of trendy women’s apparel for. Look no further for some unique looks to add to your wardrobe.
Ginger Street | 324 South State Street
After much ado, Ginger Street has finally opened its doors! The sophisticated, fast-casual restaurant offers “Southeast Asian Hawker Styler Street Food.” In case it isn’t totally clear what that means, think pad thai, orange chicken, dumplings, and steamed buns. Keep in mind they’ve got some unique ice cream offerings as well. A “wok up” window is coming soon to satisfy you even when you’re on the go!
Grow Kratom | 219 East Broadway
It’s always a surprise to see what pops up on the always-quirky Broadway. This kratom shop is your go-to destination to find all things to do with the Southeast Asian herbal supplement.
Ibiza Ultra Lounge | 180 West 400 South
Nightlife goers have a new party destination downtown. Ibiza opened last month in the location previously occupied by Moose Lounge. Don’t miss out on your chance to party away in the island party club!
Kendra Scott | At City Creek Center
The new addition at City Creek Center makes it easier than ever to accessorize your life. You’ll find selections of jewelry and home decor to match any personality, and you can even visit the Color Bar to design your own unique pieces!
MAIZE | On Regent Street
Taco truck turned taco shop, MAIZE is a prime option for authentic Mexican food. Watch the tortillas made fresh and the al pastor carved right in front of you. In addition to the tacos ranging from shrimp to veggie, you can choose from classics like quesadillas, Mexican street corn, grilled cactus, and fruit paletas.
Steyk Center | 207 East Broadway
Tavernacle fans may have noticed the construction next door, and you can finally visit its sister restaurant. The just-as-punny Steyk Center offers an assortment of experimental pub fare, including the namesake steyk stick. This is an ideal spot if you’re looking for a full meal to start your night before dueling pianos.
Turmeric | On Regent Street
The team at Turmeric specializes in real Indian cuisine, traveling to the country every few years to hone their craft. Visit in the evening for your choice of street food or more sophisticated options. If you’re looking to sample it all, the lunch buffet is a can’t-miss option for your day!
Opening Soon
Hot Buns | 111 East Broadway
Serving out of the window on the east side of Copper Common, Hot Buns will feature a menu of Asian street food. As the name implies, the literal hole in the wall will serve hot buns along with noodles and other favorites. We’re definitely excited to see some more life coming around Edison Street!
Do you know of a new business I missed? Got a tip of one getting ready to open? Let me know at
Word on the Street - What's Springing Up Downtown
The rain may be keeping us all from getting out as much the past few weeks, but there are a few new places downtown worth the trek! Along with the inevitable summer sunshine, watch for even more retail businesses coming our way very soon.
Recently Opened
Crumbl | 45 West South Temple (At City Creek Center)
Amidst a statewide cookie craze, Crumbl has emerged as one of the crowd favorites. The bakery’s rapid expansion has finally reached downtown with a new store open inside the renovated Deseret Book at City Creek Center. It’s a convenient stop if you’re in need of a cookie fix during your workday, or you can order delivery online.
Seabird | 7 South Rio Grande Street (At The Gateway)
We’ve been looking forward to the opening of this new vinyl lounge at The Gateway. It is one of several developments being planned as part of the reimagined center focused on nightlife and entertainment. The cozy little spot located just above the Olympic Legacy Plaza is a great option to grab some post-work drinks.
Utah Sports Hall of Fame Museum | 99 West South Temple (At City Creek Center)
After more than 50 years, the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation finally has a permanent home. The museum is a celebration of Utah sports history, with interactive features recognizing the many great athletes in our state. You can find the museum in a hidden corner on the ground level of the 99 West condos, just north of Nordstrom. It is free to visitors, so bring the whole family to check it out!
Opening Soon
Curry Up Now | 152 East 200 South
This Bay Area chain will be the second location in Utah. While the menu features Indian classics like samosas, naan, and masala, the addition of burritos and fried ravioli demonstrates a true fusion concept. Seeing as it is will be taking over the space currently occupied by Cedars of Lebanon -- which will be closing in just a few weeks as the owners retire -- we can only hope the fast-growing franchise will satisfy the demand for international cuisine in SLC.
Grow Kratom | 219 East Broadway
For the many of us unfamiliar with kratom, it is an herbal supplement from Southeast Asia quickly gaining popularity in the US. Believed to act as a pain reliever and energy booster, you can find it as a tea, capsule, or other forms.
Wiseguys Lounge | At The Gateway
We don’t know much about this one yet, but Wiseguys is set to open a restaurant this summer adjacent to its comedy club at The Gateway. This will be an awesome space to host some of the comedians coming into town and to enjoy the Wiseguys experience even when you don’t have tickets to a show. The official name and menu are still being determined, but keep an eye out for an opening this summer!
Do you know of a new business I missed? Got a tip of one getting ready to open? Let me know at !
Word on the Street - New on Regent Street and More!
At long last, the retail spaces along Regent Street are starting to open. The mid-block street was revitalized along with the opening of Eccles Theater almost three years ago. Patrons have welcomed Last Course, Fireside, and the ever-popular Pretty Bird, but most of the spaces have remained vacant until now. With three more new restaurants, the corridor connecting City Creek Center and Gallivan Plaza will only continue to liven up. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for Regent Street!
Recently Opened
Five Sushi Brothers | 67 West 100 South
What started out as a late-night sushi delivery service quickly turned into a popular Provo restaurant. Almost three years later, Five Sushi Brothers opened up in Salt Lake City last month right in front of the Salt Palace. Stop by for some tasty rolls, and keep an eye out for the late night delivery service starting in SLC very soon.
Heart & Seoul Karaoke | 67 West 100 South
Neighboring Five Sushi Brothers is a new recreation destination. Heart & Seoul is modeled after the “norebang” karaoke rooms found across Korea. Bring a group of friends, reserve a private room, and select from more than 30,000 songs. It’s a karaoke experience you won’t want to miss.
Honest Eatery | On Regent Street
If you’ve been going to Jazz games this season, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the açaí bowls from Honest Eatery. After some construction delays, they just opened up a storefront right next to Last Course on Regent Street. Protein shakes and premium toast options make for a perfect breakfast or lunch, or you can customize your own açaí bowl with a variety of gourmet toppings.
Mali Thai | 238 South Main Street
We were sad to see Este Deli depart from Main Street, but before we knew it Mali Thai came in to take its place. The transition was so quick, you’ll still find some of the window stickers left from the deli. The spot is only open for lunch on weekdays, but it may just prove to be a hidden gem of a lunch spot to break up your workday.
Seon Korean Barbecue | 423 West 300 South
Combine all-you-can-eat with Korean barbecue and you’re sure to have a winner. Seon just opened up just west of Pioneer Park. Come hungry because you’re sure to get your fill of meat and sides prepared fresh just for you.
Opening Soon
MAIZE | On Regent Street
One of Salt Lake’s most popular food trucks is opening up is getting a permanent home on Regent Street. The taco shop is looking mostly furnished, and is dues to open up any day now!
Sweet Rolled Tacos | 157 South Rio Grande (At The Gateway)
We all know in the Instagram age, how food looks is just as important as how it tastes. Well, Sweet Rolled Tacos has a rainbow of colorful ice cream tacos ready to shine on social media. The bright waffle cones shells are filled with a variety of creative rolled ice cream flavors and toppings. With a few stores in southern California, the chain will be expanding to The Gateway this summer.
Turmeric | On Regent Street
The second location for this Indian restaurant from Draper will be joining the dining scene on Regent Street. Keep your eye out for an Indian menu filled with curry adding a bit of international flair to downtown very soon.
Do you know of a new business I missed? Got a tip of one getting ready to open? Let me know at !
Word on the Street - New Beginnings Around Town
2018 saw plenty of new retail businesses popping up downtown, and 2019 is shaping up to be no different. While there wasn’t a lot of action in the first month of the year, we’ll start to see a lot of openings as we come closer to the summer season. Keep an eye out for a followup on some of the upcoming businesses we’ve shared in the past, as well as announcements of even more!
Recently Opened
George + Bar George | 327 West 200 South
A staple in the downtown dining scene for close to five years, Finca shut its doors at the end of November. Never fear, because it was immediately replaced by two new sister concepts, a restaurant and bar with a shared name. George and Bar George still offer some of your favorite small plates from the old Finca, but have refreshed the menu with some new, simpler comfort food options.
Sicilia Mia | 10 East Broadway
The long-awaited addition to the Sicilia Mia family of restaurants opened downtown just in time for the holidays. The quaint eatery serves up a menu of traditional Sicilian recipes passed down for generations. While the whole menu is tantalizing, perhaps the biggest draw to the restaurant is carbonara finished tableside in a giant, flaming wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Of course, you’ll definitely want to finish off your meal with some house-made tiramisu!
Torrent Cycle | 252 East Broadway
The boutique cycling studio opened at the start of December, making it a perfect way to keep up with New Year’s resolutions. In case you need some motivation to keep up with your fitness, the chic workout space offers classes starting at 6:00 am during the week, perfect to get in and out before work. Check out their schedule online and find a class that works for you!
Opening Soon
Chedda Burger | At The Gateway
The popular burger chain is moving its first location on 600 South, finding a new home at The Gateway. Chedda Burger is known for its clever burger creations utilizing quality ingredients as well as its infamous chedda tots. You can also finish (or start) your meal off with a variety of tasty shakes.
CommonGrounds Workplace | 132 South State Street
Coworking spaces are sweeping the nation, and they are finding a home in Salt Lake City as well. Based in San Diego, CommonGrounds is getting ready to open on State Street just south of City Creek Center. You can work with them to customize your workspace, with plenty of opportunity to scale as your business grows.
Honest Eatery | On Regent Street
You can already find Honest during Jazz games at Vivint SmartHome Arena, but you’ll soon be able to get it more often at its first storefront on Regent Street. Set to open at the end of February, the eatery will offer a variety of healthy food options. Açaí bowls and toasts will headline the menu, with other featured items including Brazilian cheese bread and chia pudding.
Steyk Center | 207 East Broadway
The team behind the Tavernacle Social Club recently acquired the space next door vacated by Now & Again. True to the Tavernacle theme, the name is a play off a Latter-Day Saint stake center as the fare is said to be a mix of “Mormon favorites” and pub classics. We’ll see how this one develops leading up to their anticipated St. Patrick’s Day opening.
The Store | At The Gateway
With an ever-growing residential population, downtown will welcome another local grocer with open arms. The west side will soon be served by The Store, a grocery store well-known for its quality selection, including a number of local brands. The location, expected to open in the spring, will feature a bakery and expanded deli with ample seating space.
Do you know of a new business I missed? Got a tip of one getting ready to open? Let me know at !