“If I were to describe the store simply, we’re here to bring some joy to people,” says Trace Sweeten, co-owner of Backyard Birds along with business partner Rob Blackhurst. Trace’s simple reflection captures the heart of Backyard Birds, a small shop in Sugar House that has grown into a beloved haven for bird lovers, gardeners, and anyone in search of something charming and unexpected.

“My purpose, my mission statement is to create the landscape in which we celebrate this big, beautiful existence,” said Morgan Simkins, owner of Native Flower Company. Inside, that purpose is visible everywhere. Both the Liberty Wells shop and their Sugar House location are bright and beautiful, filled with color and movement, with a small, well curated collection of gift items tucked between lush plants and artful floral arrangements. 

“I always knew I wanted to create something of my own, but I did not know if I could take the leap. Then life pushed me, and suddenly it was now or never.” Parfé Diem - two words that carry a meaning far beyond dessert - is about seizing the moment the way Parker Barbee finally did after decades of hustling, grinding, imagining, and doubting. And it is also about the person who stood beside him as he leapt: Marcus Martin - the steady, grounded, practical partner, the one who gave up a secure career so Parker could pursue his dream.

“I have been baking since I was nine. When I retire, I am still going to bake. I want the final chapter of my life to be spent baking bread in a little stone oven at home, offering it to my neighbors.” For Adalberto Díaz, founder of Fillings & Emulsions, the beloved Salt Lake City bakery, baking is not just a career, it is a lifelong devotion shaped by memory, faith, and family.

“Sugar runs in my veins,” Felicia (Fee) Hanson said with a smile, as she looked around the warm, whimsical space she has built. “I just love making people happy - with candy, with food, with community.” Sweet Hazel, Fee’s vegan bakery, market, and café, is tucked into a cozy strip that includes Leavity Bread and Star of India. Named after her beloved cat, Hazel, Fee said that “She was my soul cat. When I started this adventure, I didn’t know what to name it, and my sister-in-law said, ‘What about Sweet Hazel?’ It just felt right.”

“No matter where you are in your journey of figuring out your gender or your sexuality - and no matter how you identify - you are welcome here.” Kaitlyn Mahoney, owner of Under the Umbrella, never imagined she would open a bookstore, let alone the first queer-specific bookstore in the country. But when no one else stepped up to fill a void she knew existed, she decided to do it herself. “Somebody should open a queer bookstore… obviously there is a need. Nobody did. So, I did.”

“The address was 666 South State Street. I said, ‘Let’s go first thing in the morning.’ That’s too good to pass up.” When Andrew Earley stumbled upon the now-iconic location of Mark of the Beastro, it was the address that first grabbed him. The tongue-in-cheek name followed soon after, a nod to the playful spirit he wanted to cultivate - one part punk rock, one part art haven. What began as a full-service vegan restaurant in 2019 has since transformed into a cozy and welcoming café - one that shares its walls, and soul, with a vibrant performance venue known as The Beehive.

"This restaurant is our love letter to the community," Jennifer Hannon said, seated at a table in the lounge at the back of Laziz Kitchen. "We want people to feel safe, welcome, and fed with care."

“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 Matinkhah, the visionary behind Dara Modern.

“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.

“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’ve always loved small treasures—those little things that bring joy into our lives. Owning a store where I can curate and share those special finds with others has been a dream of mine since I was thirteen.” 

“Life has a way of turning out for the best, even when the path seems uncertain,” Alan Hebertson mused. His eyes then glanced around the Coffee Garden, the space he has nurtured for over three decades. From its humble beginnings across the street in 1993, the Coffee Garden has grown into a beloved community hub in the heart of Salt Lake City’s 9th and 9th district. The café is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee - it is a gathering spot where lives intertwine, and stories are shared.