“I thought it was every girl’s dream to open a bookstore,” Courtney Stookey, owner of Lovebound Library, recalls with a smile. Moving from Washington State to Utah at the age of thirteen, she always harbored a passion for books. Yet, it was not until the pandemic that she discovered romance novels, realizing they offered a mix of escape, emotional depth, and even comfort.

“I wanted Annata to feel like a place where anyone can come in and find something without any judgment,” shares Nicole Jensen, the visionary behind Annata Collective, a thoughtfully curated vintage shop in Salt Lake City’s Central City neighborhood. On sunny days, Nicole bikes to work with her loyal dog in tow - a touch her customers love and remember.

“A Genie’s Dream is all about unleashing your imagination and igniting the spark within,” Allison Gondoli says, her voice warm with enthusiasm. For this Salt Lake City native, her boutique is not just a shop, it is a manifestation of her philosophy on life, creativity, and connection. Allison always dreamed of creating a space where people could nurture their well-being while exploring the magic of self-expression. In 2024, she brought that dream to life by opening A Genie’s Dream in the heart of Salt Lake.

“I’m a preservationist of history. Every piece here has a story.” Capital City Antique Mall, a cornerstone of Salt Lake’s antique scene since its opening during the summer of 1999, is more than just a store to Ralene Barton; it is a living museum. Ralene, the shop’s third owner, has been part of the store’s journey since she became a dealer in 2011.

"My entire family is all about food. It's what our family revolves around." Manoli Katsanevas, owner of the eponymous Manoli’s as well as the less formal Paréa, was born and raised in the world of food. When he turned eighteen, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in this field. Today, he has woven his Greek heritage into the culinary fabric of Salt Lake City, creating dining experiences that celebrate family, tradition, and exceptional cuisine.

“I never thought I’d come back to Salt Lake, but life has its twists and turns.” Romina Rasmussen had traveled the world, living in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Taipei, Hong Kong, Miami, and New York City. In 2003, however, life brought her back to her hometown of Salt Lake City. What began as an unexpected detour turned into the foundation of a long and successful career as one of the city’s most revered pastry chefs.

“Alan Galeano is the kind of person everyone should have in their life,” says Jonas Piraquive, co-owner, and manager of Mi Buena Vida. Jonas and Alan's shared vision goes beyond delicious food - creating a space where customers feel at home, and employees are valued. It is, therefore, not surprising that this vibrant Mexican restaurant quickly became a community favorite in Salt Lake City since its opening in December 2022.

"My entire family is all about food. It's what our family revolves around." Manoli Katsanevas, owner of the eponymous Manoli’s as well as the less formal Paréa, was born and raised in the world of food. When he turned eighteen, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in this field. Today, he has woven his Greek heritage into the culinary fabric of Salt Lake City, creating dining experiences that celebrate family, tradition, and exceptional cuisine.

“I was born with a paintbrush in my hand, right out of my mom's belly.” Marla Hart’s artistic journey to the opening of Art Heart began early, infused with the rich colors of her Mexican, Italian, and Indigenous heritage.

“Kahve means coffee in Turkish,” Elif Ekin said with a warm smile, introducing the heart of her cafe’s name. Born in Adana, a small city in southeastern Turkey, Elif’s story is one of deep cultural roots, migration, and a love for creating community.

“The best part of being here is knowing we’re building something lasting,” shared Anne Holman, current owner of The King’s English Bookshop. “It is a space where people can browse, connect, and discover. Bookstores like ours help us all see the world a bit more clearly.”

“I wanted Mochi Kids to be more than just a store. It’s a way to connect with families, to celebrate culture, and to give back to the community that supports us,” shares Amanda Stewart, the founder of Mochi Kids.

“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.