“When we opened the shop, I wanted it to feel different, " says Josh Wiitanen, General Manager of Oasis Games. “We want it to be a place where everyone feels at home - whether you're here for Magic cards or your first board game - somewhere where you don't just play; you belong.” Oasis Games is a gathering place that has transformed the experience of gaming into something truly communal. Opened in 2012 by Alex Sittner, an avid Magic: The Gathering player, Oasis Games was born from a vision shared by a small team with decades of passion for games and camaraderie.

“I’ve always felt that art should tell a story,” says Lucia Heffernan, reflecting on her journey as we sat in her Salt Lake City studio. Born in Taiwan and inspired by her mother, a watercolor artist, Lucia’s passion for drawing began at an early age. After her mom passed away when Lucia was only thirteen, her family moved to the United States, settling in upstate New York. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new language and culture, Lucia’s love for art remained a constant in her life.

“We’re babies, you know. It reflects our sort of immaturity,” Koby Elias grins as he, his brother Cyrus, and their friend Eric Valchuis try to explain the origin of the name of their shop, Baby’s Bagels. What started as a bagel experiment in early 2022 has quickly become a beloved spot in Salt Lake City, opening their first storefront in November 2023. The journey, however, was anything but straightforward.

“We’re embracing our roots and providing something different, something special.” Jennifer Rugg, the manager of Golden Braid Books, emphasized how she and the current owner, Pamela Brown, are fully committed to restoring the store’s original intent: a spiritual haven filled with unique products.