“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.

“Every day, I feel that life is a gift, and working at RubySnap has given me the opportunity to connect with incredible people from all over the world,” says Michelle Brockman, the store manager.

“We knew we could do well in a Thai restaurant, but we wanted something more challenging,” explains Maneerut Chitratonn, one of the owners of Early Owl. Opened in May 2024, Early Owl has quickly made its mark on Salt Lake City’s brunch scene. The restaurant offers a fabulous menu full of vibrant, healthy dishes, with eggs taking center stage.

“I knew I had to come home. Salt Lake City is where my roots are, and it’s where I wanted to build something of my own.” Therese Martin, owner of Carlucci’s Bakery, has spent the last twenty-three years creating a beloved neighborhood spot in Salt Lake.

“When I was a baby, Tinker used to sleep with me in the crib. He lived to be twenty-two years old.” Lisa, originally from Las Vegas, was inspired by Japanese cat cafés and named her own shop, Tinker's Cat Café, after her beloved cat.

“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.

“I got my first plant when I was around seven years old - a Spider plant. I had it for years.” Bridget Bauer, owner of Beyond the Leaf, Inc, fondly recalls the beginning of her lifelong passion for greenery. Born in Wyoming and raised in the Sugar House neighborhood of Utah, Bridget was always surrounded by plants, both inside and out. Though she dabbled in flowering varieties, her true love was for plants with unique, leafy patterns.

“People always wonder about us - are we married, are we business partners? The truth is, we’re best friends who’ve built this chocolate shop together, and it’s been an incredible journey.” When Katie Masterson moved from Chicago to Salt Lake City in 2001, she had no idea that a temporary holiday job would lead her to become co-owner of Hatch Family Chocolates. Partnering with Steve Hatch, whose family had a rich tradition in candy making, Katie brought her background in pastries and desserts into the mix, helping to shape what is now one of Salt Lake City’s beloved chocolate shops.

“Good style is good style, and it doesn’t matter if it was made forty years ago or yesterday.” Adrienne Jarrett, owner of Re-finery Salt Lake City, combines her passion for fashion and her commitment to sustainability, creating a space where clothing not only tells a story but also contributes to an eco-friendlier future.

“I always felt a connection with metal people because they’re passionate about music, just like I am. And despite what people think, they’re some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet.”

“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.

“I’ve spent my whole life in the business, one way or another —since I was a little kid running around on the cutting tables,” Joe Starks, the current owner of Zion Furniture and Upholstery, shares. Originally founded in 1937 by Barney Barnhill, the shop has seen several owners and moved locations before settling in its current spot in the early 1980s. "Barney ran it until he was too old," and then his son took it over. John Harper purchased the shop next. When he became ill, his daughter took over, and then Joe's uncle bought Zion's in 2002, but not before asking Joe if he wanted Zion's.

“Taking a three-hour flower arranging class made me so happy - it brought me a source of comfort and peace that I did not realize could happen to me,” shares Natalie Cruz, a native of Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Surrounded by flowers since childhood, thanks to her mother and grandmother, Natalie developed a deep love for blooms. This passion followed her to California, where it truly flourished during her college years. Frequent visits to local farmers markets and floral arrangement classes ignited a joy that eventually led to the founding of The Petal Coop.

“I believe we can change the landscape - both literally and figuratively - by simply tossing seeds and inviting nature back into our lives. It is an act of faith, and one that I know will make a difference.”

“It was my dad who introduced me to cooking,” recalls the owner, Todd Bradley, of Leavity Bread & Coffee, a brand-new bakery and coffee shop. “I’ve always been my father’s son, and cooking together in the kitchen was something special we shared. That early connection to food sparked a lifelong passion that’s led me here.” Not to forget Todd’s mother, her spaghetti and salmon dishes will always have a special place in his heart.

“My mission has always been to bring art closer to people,” begins Lucia Murdock, owner of Workshop SLC. A passionate artist and entrepreneur originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, Lucia was raised in the culturally vibrant city of Guadalajara. Her early life was steeped in the arts, where murals and art openings were as common as the city’s bustling streets.

“When we took over in January 2020, it was a bit of a risk,” Kara Leigh admits. “But almost five years in, we’re still excited to wake up every day and do what we do. This is a unique, magical life, and we’re grateful to be able to share it with our guests.”

“We have a passion for bringing people together through food and drinks,” says Chris Madrill, one half of the dynamic duo behind Marmalade Brunch House. Chris and his brother, Nelson, opened their brunch spot in April 2023, at the remarkable ages of nineteen and twenty. Their youthful energy and love for great food are palpable in every corner of this colorful, welcoming space.

“I’ve always loved the thrill of Halloween. And when we couldn’t find what we wanted for our daughter’s first Halloween, we realized there was a need for a year-round spooky shop,” says Landrie Miller, the owner of Spoox Bootique, a unique Halloween-themed store in Salt Lake City that fills the needs of ghoul-inclined patrons throughout the year.

“Tea is about connection - connecting with yourself, with others, and with the world around you,” says Bradley Heller, reflecting on the philosophy that drives his beloved Salt Lake City establishment, Tea Grotto. Originally from a small farm in central Illinois, Bradley’s journey to becoming a tea shop owner was anything but conventional.