ON THE STREET 

The other day Pago on Main had a ½ hour wait for lunch. Sad face, right? But in this case, we’re happy for them–having a busy lunch service downtown means people are returning to their offices–and that is great news for the urban core’s retail and F&B outlets.

As the kids say, “this is going to be Gucci…”
West Quarter is the massive development on the block of Royal Wood Office Plaza (btw, even when new, there was nothing royal about it). Construction is happening in phases, but eventually there will be residential, retail, restaurants, and in October, the first tower to open will be Le Méridien. Kitty-corner from Vivint Arena, this upscale, design-focused international hotel brand will bring 144 guestrooms and Adelaide Restaurant and Bar, a farm-to-table concept. Our eyes lit up like Christmas morning when–near the end of the press release–these two magical words appeared: rooftop bar. 

Our hearts just grew three sizes! Now you have our full attention. 

Rooftop bars are sexy, they cultivate cool vibes. Do you know how often conventioneers ask where they can find a rooftop bar?! Oh… wait, press release, what now? You buried the lede? Now there are not one, but two rooftop bars at West Quarter!!! Another lounge will be perched atop Element, a longer-stay hotel brand from Westin. 

Journey with us, drink in hand (Grey Goose up a little dirty, three blue-cheese stuffed olives) as we watch the sun dip below the Great Salt Lake from the outdoor garden on the 13th floor. Email us if you’d like to be invited, we’ve already set a Google calendar alert.

Speaking of ascending, Pulp on Gallivan Avenue has permanently closed. Wait, no, they are launching a new concept,  Ascent Kitchen. It isn’t all about us, but this is a two minute walk from our office, so we’re happy this lively little space with great service will return. We spy an expanded menu with very yummy-looking Orange Kitchen, Thai Peanut Chicken Salad, and more. 

Oh Village Baker, how we miss your Meatball Sandwich. The space in the handsome 111 Building will soon be the new home of ALPHA Coffee. Sounds macho. Can’t wait. 

Next door, City Creek Center has set a date for The Capital Grille of March 25th to open this emporium of steak! Owned by Darden Restaurants, we hope this opens the door for more of their platforms to our market, including Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, and Yard House. 

Eva’s Bakery has expanded  into McKay Diamond & Jewelry. (Don't worry McKay, moved .01 miles to Regent Street. Even better: Eva’s plans to keep and refurbish the iconic neon sign).The new space will serve the grab-and-go crowd with faster coffee service, and rumor has it that ice cream is on its way!  

Have you been to the Winter Market at The Gateway? From 10-2 every Saturday, this bustling community experience is a healthy, wholesome way to start your weekend. Aziza, owned by Menna Rashwan, is new to the market and her Egyptian desserts, including kunafa cups and baklava are insanely good… we almost don’t want to let this secret out of the bag. For real. 

We can be frank about this: we welcome the triumphant return of J.Dawgs to downtown! Get your buns moving to their new location in City Creek, facing Temple Square in the Kirton McConkie building. This is a real weiner! On these chili days, we relish their reemergence downtown. We’re going to ketchup with them soon and often!

Support some of your favorite downtown SLC businesses while saving some dough thanks to the Shop in Utah Grant Program! Shop in Utah offers support for local businesses such as restaurants, bars, retailers, cultural performance groups, fitness studios and hotels while providing discounts to their customers. Pick up some take-out, book a staycation and even get free money at vendors like the Downtown SLC Farmers Market. Check out the full list of participating downtown businesses below and learn more about Shop in Utah here. 

Downtown SLC Shop in Utah Offers: 

AC Hotel, Salt Lake City - 50% off online prices

Array Salon - Buy a hair color service and get one free

Ballet West - 40% off tickets to Nine Sinatra Songs to the general public starting 10/13. Beginning10/9 we will exclusively offer subscribers and donors 50% off tickets to Nine Sinatra Songs.

bastille - 50% off a huge selection of inventory

Blue Iguana - Contact the business for more information

BTG Wine Bar - Contact the business for more information

Caffe Molise - Buy One Get One Free every day for lunch items

Dexterity Salon - Various service promotions and product giveaways

Downtown Alliance - Get $10 extra when you buy $50, Get $25 extra when you buy $75

Downtown Farmers Market in Pioneer Park – Urban Food Connections of Utah - $10 in Market Cash to be used at ANY market vendor

Eva - Free dessert with 2-person meal nightly

Eva’s Bakery - BOGO - promo code: SHOPINUTAH to any online orders to receive a discount

Hampton Inn Salt Lake City Downtown - 15% discount for Utah residents

Hilton Salt Lake City Center - pay for a $150 room night and you receive a $100 City Creek gift card and a $50 Spencer’s credit

Hotel Monaco - Buy one get one free package; credit for dining 

LatterDayBride - 50% off all prom dresses including our sale prom

Mr. Shabu at Gateway - Make a day in advance reservation for 20% off an entire meal for parties of 4 or more

Odyssey Dance Theatre - Thriller (Capitol) & Shut Up and Dance (Kingsbury): $35 seats discounted to $17.50

Peak 45 LLC - 50% discount on all class packs and private and semi-private lesson; 30% discount on all retail

Poplar Street Pub - 15% discount any food item; $5 Monday wings special (dine-in only)

Post Office Place - SOLD OUT

Repertory Dance Theatre - 50% off performance tickets; 50% off Dance Center on Broadway drop-in classes and punch cards; 50% off digital concerts; 50% off Winter Dance enrollments made before Dec. 30, 2020

Salt Lake Power Yoga LLC - 50% discount on all class packs for both in-studio and live stream; 30% discount on all retail both in-studio and online

Smith Bespoke - 50% off $1000 suit for first time customers

Soundwell - Contact the business for more information

Sweet Rolled Tacos - Contact the business for more information

Takashi - SOLD OUT 

Taqueria 27 - Buy 1 gift card online or in-store and receive a second card free at 50% of the purchased value

Toasters - for every total dollar amount spent, get a 50% gift card of that amount

Tucanos - Contact the business for more information

Utah Arts Alliance -  Up to $25,000 in discounted tickets and local art

UWM Men’s Shop, Utah Woolen Mills - Contact the business for more information

Visit Salt Lake - 50% off all Connect Passes & Salt Lake Brewery Passes

Vosen’s Bread Paradise - 10% off

Whiskey Street Cocktails and Dining - 50% Off Gift Cards

White Horse Spirits and Kitchen - 50% Off Gift Cards

Zest Kitchen & Bar - Gift card discounts; Buy $25, get $5; Buy $75, get $25, etc

Know of a Downtown SLC business that should be on this list? Let us know by e-mailing  

The Downtown Farmers Market kicked off its 28th season in Pioneer Park on June 8. Once again, farmers, food purveyors artists and crafters line the park with local wares and tens of thousands of patrons from near and far shop, eat and enjoy the best Utah has to offer. 

Pioneer Park has undergone a significant transformation, with the removal of the restroom building in the center of the park to make way for the installation of a multi-use grass field ringed by trees, a pathway and new lighting. These changes will help to activate the park with new and different activities and invite local residents to toss a frisbee, kick around a soccer ball or just take a stroll in this friendly green space downtown. It will also increase the safety and security in the park with clear sightlines and added visibility throughout the park. Combined with the efforts of Operation Rio Grande, a multi-agency effort to improve public safety in the neighborhood, the changes in the park will see reduced crime and drug-related activity in the area, assisting those in need of services for homelessness or health issues.

Salt Lake City Parks and Recreation leaders worked closely with the Downtown Farmers Market team to make sure these changes accommodated and even enhanced the market experience. 

The market experience, such that it is, does not feel dramatically different for patrons, with the exception of the newly configured “Food Fairway,” the ultimate place to grab a coffee or lemonade and try food from around the world. From Pad Thai to Sudanese lentils to authentic Sicilian pizza, hungry market-goers can explore delicious cuisine while people-watching at the picnic tables. 

The Market operates under a vigorous “Waste Wise” mission, with the end goal of putting as little waste as possible in the landfill. Single-use plastic bags are not allowed, so folks are encouraged to bring their reusable bags (or pick one up for $1 at the Market Info booth if you forget). People are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle and fill up for free at one of our many water stations throughout the park and to walk, bike or take public transit to the market. Load up! 

There are multiple Waste Wise stations throughout the park, where you can recycle your plastic, paper and glass. This year we’ll be collecting organic waste (such as fruit, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy, fats, liquids, raw food, prepared food, etc.) which will be delivered to the new Wasatch Resource Recovery anaerobic digester. Waste in the digester is heated to aid the growth of microbes which break down the organic matter, without the use of oxygen, resulting in biogas production. The gas is then captured and purified before it is converted into biomethane (renewable natural gas) and fed into the nearby gas pipeline and sold into the market as renewable “green” power. 

Of course, the Downtown Farmers Market is really all about the food - the freshest and most diverse selection of locally grown produce in the state, sourced from a roughly 250-mile radius. Farmers run the gamut, from large legacy farms to start-up urban farms, offering everything from Bear Lake raspberries to Santaquin cherries to mizuna greens grown in Millcreek. Many growers specialize in unique varieties of heirloom tomatoes, greens, peppers, houseplants, cut flowers and herbs. While you’ll find your favorite vendors returning every year, there are always a handful of new vendors just getting their start, making the Downtown Farmers Market ground zero for discovering new foods and products that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re in the market for locally brewed kombucha or grass-fed beef, you’ll find it all, every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City!