“Bikes can change a day and sometimes a life. They get you outside, quiet the mind, and give families a reason to spend a whole afternoon together.” This simple belief has guided Contender Bicycles owner and operator Ryan Littlefield since the day he first stepped into the business back in the late 1980s when the shop was located in Sandy, Utah. What began as a part-time job soon became a lifelong calling. Today, Contender Bicycles has become an essential part of the rhythm of Salt Lake City’s 9th & 9th neighborhood.

“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.

“If I did it right, it should feel like home.” This simple yet profound statement from Mary Lindsey captures the essence of Everything Utah, the expansive yet charming boutique she owns in Salt Lake City. Mary’s journey to opening this business is as rich and varied as the products she offers, each carefully selected to represent the many facets of Utah.

“It was my mom that inspired me to go ahead with this idea. I will be forever grateful.” When you walk into The Children’s Hour, you step into a world carefully curated by the heart and soul of Diane Etherington, a woman whose warmth and passion for children’s books has touched the lives of countless individuals for over four decades. My first encounter with Diane was nothing short of enchanting.