“Our mission is really about being stewards of cider culture and providing education to people that don’t know a lot about cider and the wide variety there is.” Elisabeth Osmeloski, co-owner of Scion Cider Bar in Salt Lake City, has been a pivotal figure in introducing and promoting the cider culture in the region. 

“I feel a sense of responsibility to provide people with the things that are getting harder and harder to find,” Annette Raverino says with a warm smile. “I am really lucky.” Luck may have played a small part in Annette’s journey, but passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to tradition have been the true foundations of Mediterranean Market & Deli. Her story stretches back generations, rooted in the northern Italian Alps, a place where her mother was raised and where Annette spent time cooking with family.

"Ramen was born in China, grew up in Japan, and died in America." Hiro Tagai chuckles as he recalls a conversation with his cousin that has stuck with him ever since. But for Hiro and Felipe Oliveira, ramen is very much alive, and they have made it their mission to share its true essence with the world through Koyote, their dream restaurant.

"So, tea is my happy place, admits Ripple Desai, owner of Tandoori Taqueria in the Maven District. Every time you walk into my parents' home, my dad asks, 'Do you want tea?' And tea in our house is a cup of hot Indian chai.

"I think it was actually kind of helpful in a way that we opened in February of 2020, admits Scott Adams, owner of District Coffee Company. He did not have to scale back like so many others at the beginning of COVID, instead Scott and his partner, Cameron Sappa, were able to simply open small. "We only had two employees; we had no real indoor space for seating. We could open with all the guidelines in place, and then just grow as everything was slowly lifted."

“Creating a safe, inclusive space has always been my top priority. I want everyone who walks through our doors to feel they belong here,” shared Alia Mathias, founder of Wicked West Nails.

“We wanted to create a brand that felt approachable,” Britney recalls. Sarah Duke and Britney Beardmore first met in Utah in 2010, drawn together by a shared love for adventure. Sarah, originally from Illinois, and Britney, from Texas, connected over skiing, hiking, and rock climbing before forging a business partnership that would blend their expertise and passions into something extraordinary.

“We’re named after Kings Peak - the tallest mountain in Utah. It’s a fitting name because this journey has been all about reaching new heights.” Garland Ledbetter leans back, reflecting on the growth of Kings Peak Coffee Roasters. From opening their first shop in 2018 to a second location opened at the end of 2024, Kings Peak has become a beloved part of Salt Lake City’s coffee scene.

“I started showing interest in art when I was pretty young.” Stephanie Hillman, the founder of Art Haus in Salt Lake City, has been immersed in the world of art since childhood. After moving from California to Utah at the age of seven, she began taking art classes in third grade and continued her artistic education through high school.

“My parents both immigrated to the U.S. and worked in the fields of design and architecture. My dad was a lighting designer and electrical engineer, while my mom worked in architectural software,” recalls Dustin Matinkah, the visionary behind Dara Modern.

“Cooking has always been a way for me to be creative, but more importantly, it connects me to my family, my culture, and my roots.” Anthony Chung opened Red Lotus Bistro in April 2020, just one week after Salt Lake City was hit with a wave of closures and uncertainty due to the pandemic. 

“Edison House is not your grandfather’s social club,” explains George Cardon-Bystry, one of the co-founders and visionaries behind this dynamic, upscale social club in Salt Lake City. With deep roots in the area as an eighth-generation Utahn, George returned home to create a space that reflects the changing nature of the city and its community. Opened in late 2022, Edison House stands out as a modern reimagining of traditional social clubs, offering an inclusive, vibrant atmosphere that attracts a diverse membership.

“I’m not a chef; I’m a pilot who just happens to love good food.” Pierre Vandamme laughs as he reflects on the winding path that brought him from Belgium to Salt Lake City - and to opening Bruges Belgian Bistro.

“I was born in Mexico, or at least my father liked to think that I was.” David Galvan, volunteer manager of Mestizo Coffeehouse begins his story smiling as he recalls his father holding him up as a child in their home in Utah and proudly proclaiming, “Who’s my beautiful Mexican baby?”

“This is my first interview ever,” Molly Mullane laughs, admitting her slight trepidation at sharing her story. As the owner of two Club Pilates studios in the Salt Lake City area, Molly’s journey from a small farm town in Indiana to becoming a fitness business owner is both inspiring and relatable.

“I grew up in this record store,” Sam Stinson begins, reflecting on a childhood steeped in the world of vinyl. “My brother and I had a little room here with a TV where we’d play, and watch shows while my parents ran the shop. I started working here when I was seven or eight, cleaning 45s. It’s been a lifelong journey.”

“I’ve always believed that taste has the power to transport us back to special times in our lives. When I lived in Taiwan and Hong Kong, I became deeply attached to the food, especially dumplings, and that craving stayed with me.”

“Jewelry is so much more than an adornment; it’s about sentimentality, connection, and the stories it carries,” shared Stacey Foster, owner of Mineral and Matter.

“We want every woman who walks through our doors to feel like an absolute queen,” Marley McKenna says with a warm smile. Her voice is as confident as her vision for Revive Boutique, a place that has redefined the shopping experience in Salt Lake City. From its beginnings in 2020 during the height of the pandemic to its relocation in the vibrant Central 9th district in May 2024, Marley’s passion for accessible, high-quality fashion has made Revive a standout destination for locals and tourists alike.

“I always had this passion for cooking,” said Hudson Shorter, owner of Utah Knife Shop, reflecting on his roots in Salt Lake City. Born and raised here, Hudson’s culinary journey spans over two decades, ignited by an unforgettable experience while cooking for the French team during the 2002 Winter Olympics.