“I was adopted from China when I was a baby. They brought me back to Utah when I was about one and a half, and I have been here ever since.” Lili Deforest is the only adopted child among six siblings in an LDS family. Some of her sisters now have tattoos, and her mother, once unsure, has become one of her biggest supporters - offering quiet pride and praise for her designs. Lili’s story begins softly, but with certainty. In 2025, at the young age of twenty eight, she is the proud owner of Eminent Ink Tattoos, an all-female studio. She is a single mother, a self-taught artist, and a quiet force who wants every woman who walks in to feel safe and seen.

“I wanted something alliterative, two little syllables that rhyme, and I loved the sound of MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art). So, I tried ‘Mo’ and then ‘Mu,’ and it just clicked. It does not mean anything; it is playful and abstract, and it fits the store,” explained Rebecca Yund, owner of Momu, a clothing, accessories, and home goods store in Salt Lake City.

I always think of an art house as the new gathering place for stories and ideas. Film is such an accessible art form. You can have a film about anything. So, you can have a conversation about anything.” Tori A. Baker, CEO of Salt Lake Film Society,  has had her life shaped by that belief.

“I have felt it in my bones since I was very, very young. I was going to accomplish big things.” Vayanna Kruse, owner of Soleil Nail Studio, grew up in a small Iowa town. But even as a child, she sensed her life would lead her somewhere else.

“We want the people who come in here to feel like family.” Todd Holsten grew up on the east side of Salt Lake City, spending much of his childhood in the mountains. Skiing, biking, climbing - if it was outdoors, he was in his element. After high school, he worked a string of odd jobs before finding his career home at Delta Air Lines in 1996. Nearly thirty years later, he is still there, now part of the aircraft movement team, enjoying the job’s stability and the flight benefits that have allowed him, his wife, and their family to travel the world. Together with his wife, Aranya, he now owns Aranya Thai Kitchen, a warmly inviting spot known for fresh, meticulously prepared Thai dishes that reflect her passion for getting everything just right.

“This was always the goal, owning our own place,” said Andrew Fuller. “I just had to be patient enough to wait for the right moment.” For Andrew Fuller and his wife, Angelena, that moment arrived in February 2019 with the opening of Oquirrh, a refined yet welcoming American restaurant nestled in downtown Salt Lake City. At once personal and quietly romantic, Oquirrh reflects their shared story: a love for good food, deep respect for craft, and an unshakable partnership that spans both life and work.

"For us, coffee is an important daily practice, it is our holy water. Honestly, it is a religion to us."  Erin Butler and Nick Price wanted a name that made people laugh but also made them curious. The name ‘Holy Water’ just kind of stuck. That irreverent charm runs through everything at Holy Water, the coffee shop co-founded by the two in June 2023. The name hints at something sacred, but also playful - exactly the kind of balance they set out to strike.

In every bite, I want people to feel the love and care, and to feel closer to Argentina.” That has always been Ana Valdemoros’s hope with Argentina’s Best Empanadas. Born in Córdoba and raised in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, Ana came to Salt Lake City in 2000 to study city planning at the University of Utah. At the time, there were few options for traditional Argentine food.

“Cats can bring joy to people of all ages and can help them to get through emotional times. Sometimes a customer asks me, ‘What is your favorite cat?’ I say, I love every one of them. They are all different, and I want to share them with others.” That is how Lisa Chen, who moved to Utah from China in 2007, describes the inspiration behind MiaoMiao Café, a charming cat-themed space that merges handmade desserts, specialty drinks, and, of course, a family of cats she considers her children.

“My family has been in the business since 1959 when my grandfather opened his first restaurant.” Today, Matt Crandall is the head chef and partner of three of Salt Lake City's most celebrated restaurants - Whiskey Street, White Horse Spirits & Kitchen, and Franklin Avenue Cocktails & Kitchen - all of which he created and runs alongside his longtime friend and business partner, Jason LeCates.

“Books are the repositories of human hopes and dreams and learning," proclaimed Tony Weller, owner of Weller Book Works. Walking into this shop is like stepping into a world of literary discovery. With its vast collection of new, used, and rare books, the store is an oasis for book lovers, a place where stories of the past and present converge. But behind the shelves lined with countless volumes, the story of Weller Book Works is itself an epic one, spanning multiple generations.

“I had $500 and an idea.” Ron Green’s journey to founding The Green Ant was not meticulously planned. It unfolded naturally, shaped by his love for vintage furniture and an unexpected turn in his career.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.