The dropping temperatures are evidence that we are close to the holiday season. As you get ready for some major shopping, keep an eye out for some stores opening up downtown. Of course, you don’t want to forget the new restaurants to keep you nourished amidst all the frenzy!

Recently Opened

Arempa’s Venezuelan Cuisine | 350 South State Street
Visit Arempa’s for a menu full of Venezuela favorites ranging from arepas and cachapa to empanadas and patacon. Perhaps you’re like me and not totally familiar with all these dishes, but a quick look at their menu will prove you’ll want to become familiar.

Coming Home | At The Gateway
Just in time for all your holiday decorating needs, Coming Home has opened up a pop-up shop at The Gateway. Various fall and holiday decor includes centerpieces, wreaths, and even fully-decorated trees. Located right next to Salt & Honey Market, you’ve got a one-stop-shop this holiday.

Gem Studio | At City Creek Center
Gem Studio is a local workshop where you can learn to design and create your own unique jewelry. The experience provides an opportunity to utilize silversmithing skills and gem placement. Proceeds go to support humanitarian efforts in Uganda, so you can feel good about your new skills!

MCycle | 355 West 400 South
The cycling studio is now open right across from Pioneer Park. It joins a collection of boutique exercise studios to provide amazing options to stay in shape downtown, perfect given the cooling temperatures we are currently experiencing. With 50 bikes and several classes daily, you’re sure to find a class that works for you.

Stance x Donovan Mitchell | At City Creek Center
The ever-popular Jazz player has teamed up with Stance to open up a one-of-a-kind shopping experience at City Creek Center. The store features some of Donovan Mitchell’s favorite brands, including some of his own signature gear. Stop by and maybe you’ll even have a chance to run into Spida in person.

The Store | At The Gateway
There’s always a demand for more grocery options in the downtown area, and The Store has delivered. Conveniently located within The Gateway at the intersection of 100 South and Rio Grande, you can find an assortment of quality, local food on the western edge of downtown. 

Opening Soon 

Alpha Coffee | On Regent Street
The local coffee roaster recently opened their first storefront in Cottonwood Heights, and is now expanding downtown. We’re told the concept will include a full café, adding perfectly Regent Street as an increasingly vibrant dining destination.

FreshFin Poké | On Regent Street
Another new addition coming soon to Regent Street, FreshFin is an expansion out of Milwaukee offering up a variety of different poké bowls. “Coming Soon” signs are already up in the windows, so we’re hoping we may see this one up its doors before the full force of the holiday season.

Good Burger | On Regent Street
If you want a good burger, this Boise-based chain claims to have found the right recipe. You’ll be able to choose from a selection of premium hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and even a veggie burger. We’ll see how it stacks up to some of our local favorites.

Great Taste | At City Creek Center
We don’t have much to report on this one just yet, but the signs that recently went up on shop windows suggest we might be having a cooking-related retail store coming soon. Here’s to hoping it opens up before the holidays!

Do you know of a new business I missed? Got a tip of one getting ready to open? Let me know at !

The Downtown Farmers Market kicked off its 28th season in Pioneer Park on June 8. Once again, farmers, food purveyors artists and crafters line the park with local wares and tens of thousands of patrons from near and far shop, eat and enjoy the best Utah has to offer. 

Pioneer Park has undergone a significant transformation, with the removal of the restroom building in the center of the park to make way for the installation of a multi-use grass field ringed by trees, a pathway and new lighting. These changes will help to activate the park with new and different activities and invite local residents to toss a frisbee, kick around a soccer ball or just take a stroll in this friendly green space downtown. It will also increase the safety and security in the park with clear sightlines and added visibility throughout the park. Combined with the efforts of Operation Rio Grande, a multi-agency effort to improve public safety in the neighborhood, the changes in the park will see reduced crime and drug-related activity in the area, assisting those in need of services for homelessness or health issues.

Salt Lake City Parks and Recreation leaders worked closely with the Downtown Farmers Market team to make sure these changes accommodated and even enhanced the market experience. 

The market experience, such that it is, does not feel dramatically different for patrons, with the exception of the newly configured “Food Fairway,” the ultimate place to grab a coffee or lemonade and try food from around the world. From Pad Thai to Sudanese lentils to authentic Sicilian pizza, hungry market-goers can explore delicious cuisine while people-watching at the picnic tables. 

The Market operates under a vigorous “Waste Wise” mission, with the end goal of putting as little waste as possible in the landfill. Single-use plastic bags are not allowed, so folks are encouraged to bring their reusable bags (or pick one up for $1 at the Market Info booth if you forget). People are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle and fill up for free at one of our many water stations throughout the park and to walk, bike or take public transit to the market. Load up! 

There are multiple Waste Wise stations throughout the park, where you can recycle your plastic, paper and glass. This year we’ll be collecting organic waste (such as fruit, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy, fats, liquids, raw food, prepared food, etc.) which will be delivered to the new Wasatch Resource Recovery anaerobic digester. Waste in the digester is heated to aid the growth of microbes which break down the organic matter, without the use of oxygen, resulting in biogas production. The gas is then captured and purified before it is converted into biomethane (renewable natural gas) and fed into the nearby gas pipeline and sold into the market as renewable “green” power. 

Of course, the Downtown Farmers Market is really all about the food - the freshest and most diverse selection of locally grown produce in the state, sourced from a roughly 250-mile radius. Farmers run the gamut, from large legacy farms to start-up urban farms, offering everything from Bear Lake raspberries to Santaquin cherries to mizuna greens grown in Millcreek. Many growers specialize in unique varieties of heirloom tomatoes, greens, peppers, houseplants, cut flowers and herbs. While you’ll find your favorite vendors returning every year, there are always a handful of new vendors just getting their start, making the Downtown Farmers Market ground zero for discovering new foods and products that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re in the market for locally brewed kombucha or grass-fed beef, you’ll find it all, every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City!

We’ve been experiencing a bit of a heatwave in SLC lately, and the retail scene is just as hot. We may have only seen a couple of openings during the holiday-heavy month of July, but watch for more throughout the rest of summer. While you’re at it, keep an eye out for some of the new public art going up downtown, like this one at The Gateway.

Recently Opened

Chedda Burger | At The Gateway
The local-favorite burger joint has finally opened up at its new home on Restaurant Row at The Gateway. This location replaces the former one on 600 South, making it easier than ever to access on your lunch break. The decadent creations make for a deliciously sloppy meal, and you can substitute your burger for fried chicken if that suits your fancy. Make sure you come hungry because you don’t want to skip out on sides, ranging from the renowned chedda tots to a variation on poutine.

Roolee | At City Creek Center
Based in Logan, Roolee is expanding into Salt Lake City. The clothing brand specially curates an assortment of apparel and accessories to appeal to any Utah woman. You’ll also find a variety of kids clothing and home decor.

Opening Soon 

Arempa’s Venezuelan Cuisine | 350 South State Street
If you aren’t already familiar with arepas, prepare to fall in love. The South American street food is like a cornmeal sandwich stuffed with all sorts of ingredients, such as meats, beans, avocado, and of course, melty cheese. I expect Arempa’s will also serve up empanadas and other Venezuelan favorites.

Louis Vuitton | At City Creek Center
The luxury French fashion house is opening its first Utah outpost at City Creek Center. Expect to see the designer, bags, accessories, and fragrances for both men and women.

Mac’s Place | 308 West Broadway
The social club is making a comeback in Downtown SLC. The members-only lounge, slated to open later this summer, will feature classic amenities such as an in-house barber and tailor. With plenty of vintage furniture and other decor, this could well be the next hot spot for your business meeting. Be sure to sign up early as memberships are limited!

Mr. Shabu | At The Gateway
Another concept joining the growing restaurant scene over at The Gateway, Mr. Shabu will offer modern Asian hot pot dining. Set to open in fall this year, you’ll be able to choose from meats and vegetables to cook in different broths at your table in your very own hot pots. Did I mention it’s all-you-can-eat? Better start practicing your chop stick skills!

Do you know of a new business I missed? Got a tip of one getting ready to open? Let me know at !

Admittedly, I’ve never worn a suit. As a woman and telecommuting writer for most of my career, I simply have never felt the need for one. Or, rather, I’ve been able to skirt around (pun intended) buying one with off-the-rack separates when job interviews, funerals and other suit-worthy occasions have arisen. That said, I’m also into clothes and fashion and love that rare and delicious feeling of wearing a garment that—because of the color, fit or even sometimes the mindset I was in when I bought it—makes me feel like my best self when I put it on.

Ask any of the clothiers (never called salespeople) who staff downtown Salt Lake City’s thriving custom suit shops what the biggest benefit of investing the time and money in a custom suit is, and they’re sure to tell you that it’s that “I look great” feeling every time you put it on. “What we’re actually selling is confidence,” says Jason Yeats, co-founder of Main Street custom suit maker, Beckett & Robb. Really? Who couldn’t use a little extra confidence? I know I certainly could. So, with my curiosity piqued, I went about sussing out what the real differences are between a custom suit and one purchased off the rack.

Express Your Style

Fit is the obvious no-brainer advantage of going the custom suit route. Ask any man over six feet tall or under about 5 feet 4 inches, and they’ll tell you buying a suit off the rack is challenging, to say the least. But getting a just-right fit is really just the beginning. “We always start with a conversation,” says George Spencer, head of shop at Tailor Cooperative, an almost speakeasy-feeling custom suit shop on downtown’s funky Pierpont Avenue. “Before we start looking at fabrics or discussing different styles, I want to find out the client’s intent, the application of the suit, their color preferences, how they want to feel in the suit and find out how they’d like to fit the suit into their existing wardrobe.” Though suits, as a rule, would seem very uniform in terms of style, custom suits actually offer plenty of elements that can become part of what Spencer calls, “your personal brand.”

Take for example the Milanese buttonhole. Back when suit jackets still closed at the top, this left-lapel buttonhole—which now is sometimes used to hold the occasional flower or lapel, but is most often not used for anything at all—was a functioning buttonhole to close the jacket all the way up. (The word boutonniere is in fact the French word for buttonhole.) Some machine-made jackets do have Milanese buttonholes, but the difference between one sewn by a machine and one cut and sewn by tailor—as is the case on a custom suit—is obvious, particularly to those who wear suits. It is a tailoring flourish that lends the cherry-on-top prestige to a jacket.

Other avenues for establishing—and maybe deepening—your personal brand with a custom suit include single versus double-breasted lapels; one, two or three closure buttons; button styles; sleeve buttons; a sack, structured or fitted silhouette; and on and on. The options for customization are really endless, which is why an interaction with a competent clothier should always begin with the conversation Spencer refers to; so that rather than feeling overwhelmed by the choices involved in purchasing a custom suit, the experience feels more like a journey in realizing your own distinct style.        

Fabric

Another big difference between custom and ready-to-wear suits is the fabric. Walk into most department stores, and on the racks, you’ll see what sells the best: solid navy, black and gray in either summer or winter weight fabrics. Most custom suit clothiers, however, have thousands of fabrics at their disposal, in types ranging from polyester and linen to wool and tweed and in patterns covering window pane and herringbone to pinstripe and Prince-of-Wales check.

In 2011, Hayden Bryant co-founded H.M. Cole Custom Clothiers, a sleek and formal shop located in the ground level of a white granite office and apartment building on South Temple. Bryant and business partner Michael McKonkie became familiar with custom clothing while working abroad. Bryant and McKonkie also own and operate the overseas manufacturing facility where H.M. Cole suits and clothing separate are made and has direct relationships with fabric merchants allowing access to more than 20,000 fabrics. Speaking of which, Beckett & Robb recently expanded their bulk cloth offerings to several lines made in Italy, enabling them to offer these high-end fabrics at the best possible price.  

For the first-time custom suit buyer, there’s a couple of simple rules of thumb: if you’re looking for a suit wearable year-round, go with a lightweight worsted wool. For a winter-only suit, go for tweed, flannel or a more insulating wool. And for summer (think what you’d wear to a wedding), try fabrics such as linen, silk or cotton.

Longevity

No doubt, the price difference between an off-the-rack suit (beginning at about $400) and a custom suit (starting around $600 to $700) is significant. But how long a custom suit will last versus many off-the-rack suits is significant as well, due almost exclusively to canvasing.

Custom suit jackets are lined with an extremely stiff linen fabric called canvas, which is cut to the jacket’s shape and then stitched directly to the underside of the exterior fabric. This lining holds the shape of the jacket and keeps it from sagging or deforming over time. Canvasing is also responsible for hallmark details of a well-made suit like a lapel that curls over the chest rather than creasing.   

Many off-the-rack suit manufacturers no longer used canvas and instead glue a fusible interlining to the wool shell of the suit. Over time, this glue tends to degrade and may become unstuck after multiple cleanings and/or pressings and causes the fabric to bubble, i.e. ripple around the chest and lapels. Unfortunately there’s no way to fix this problem once it has occurred. “Educating our clients about canvassing is just part of the services we offer when they come to us for a piece of custom clothing,” Yeats, from Main Street’s Beckett & Robb, says. “We consider ourselves style consultants and engage in our clients’ entire wardrobe to give them versatility to last a long time.”

Custom Suit Converts

So, beyond the banking crowd, who’s fueling the on-fire trend for custom suits? Well, really any man—and many more women than you’d expect—in the market for a go-to quality suit that, as we referenced earlier, makes them feel fantastic every time they put it on.

Luke Mirabelli will be graduating from medical school in May and recently purchased a custom suit to wear to the residency interviews he’ll be embarking on this fall and into the future in his career as a doctor. But the purchase also represents something of a fulfillment of a family legacy for him as well. “My grandfather was the master tailor at Utah Woolen Mills for 40 years, and made custom clothing for many of Utah’s elite back in the day,” Mirabelli says. “Unfortunately he passed before I was born. Therefore, I wanted to have the custom experience that I am sadly never going to get from my grandfather.”     

Chris Neihart, co-owner of Premier Equestrian in Sandy, decided to buy his first custom suit to wear to his wedding this fall because, “I’m six feet six inches tall, so off the rack clothing can be hit or miss regarding the fit,” he says. How a custom suit allows design options like color, fabric, liner, fit and buttons not available when purchasing off-the-rack also appealed to him. And while he doesn’t expect too many occasions where he’ll wear the full suit after his wedding day—his chose a super-dapper emerald green fabric—“I look forward to wearing the sport coat with a nice and jeans.”

And, what about me, you ask? After embarking on this custom suit quest, I’ve become a convert as well and am planning a visit to one of downtown’s clothiers to very soon fulfill my own dreams of joining the sisterhood of the traveling pantsuit.  

Where to Suit Up, Downtown

Utah Woolen Mills
59 S Temple
(801)364-1851
uwmmensshop.com

Beckett & Robb
150 Main St
(801)415-9434
beckettrobb.com

Bespoke Custom Clothing
145 E. 900 South
(385)251-1010
bespoke-clothing.com

H.M. Cole
136 E. South Temple
(385)229-4447
hmcole.com

Ferreira European Custom Tailor
132 W. Pierpont Ave
(801) 462-5533
europeancustomtailor.com

Tailor Cooperative
335 Pierpont Avenue
(801)656-6525
tailorcooperative.com

True Gentleman Custom Suits
281 South Weechquootee Place
(818)337-8670
truegentlemansupply.com

Haven’t had time to complete your holiday shopping or just getting started? We’ve got the inside track for all of the holiday shopping procrastinators out there!

City Creek Center:

Find something for all of your friends and family at City Creek Center. Enjoy free two-hour parking while you browse over 100 local and national stores. Be sure to check out the brand new Bonobos store for all of the gentlemen in your life. See a full store list and sales going on at https://www.shopcitycreekcenter.com/stores/directory

The Gateway:

Home to several new exciting tenants like Dave & Busters and classics like G-Star and Bastille, The Gateway offers several unique shopping opportunities. Look no further than the new location of Salt & Honey Market! Featuring handmade arts, crafts, jewelry and more, Salt & Honey features goods from DIY’ers from across Utah. Not only are you picking up a thoughtful gift, but you’re also helping support local artists and creators. Learn more at http://shopthegateway.com/

Holiday Art & Craft Market at the Downtown SLC Winter Farmers Market:

Head down to the Winter Farmers Market at the Rio Grande Depot to find dozens of artisanal goods in addition to some tasty food and small-batch products. Saturday at the Rio Grande Train Depot from 10 AM - 2 PM during the last Holiday Art & Craft Market of the season.

Participating Vendors:
Ceramica Artistica ASV - https://www.facebook.com/CeramicaArtisticaASV/ 
Addley Craft - https://addley-craft.com/
Live Your Angle - http://liveyourangle.com/
Heidi Israelsen - https://www.hiceramics.com/
Sticks and Stones Design - https://www.sticksandstones.design/
Beaucoup de Bijoux, LLC - https://www.etsy.com/shop/beaucoupdebijoux
The Wild Seed - https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWildSeedCo
Steel Design - https://www.facebook.com/utahart/
Laura Sommer Creative - https://www.laurasommerartist.com/
Velo City Bags - https://velocitybags.com/
Lazy Llama - https://www.llalpacawear.com/
Lance Olsen - Colorbox
Rex Burningham / Burning Bowls and Boards - http://www.learningturning.com/

Don’t forget your reusable bag! Help The Market reduce their carbon footprint by bringing your own cloth bag to shop with.

Broadway District:

Home to several notable downtown SLC businesses like Ken Sanders Books and The Green Ant, the Broadway District is a great option for thoughtful and unique gifts. You’ll also find the People’s Coffee, City Barbers, Jitterbug Antiques & Toys, Fellow Shop, Antoinette’s Jewelry, Boozetique and more. Consider this an artisanal mini-mall with gifts for all ages.

Gift Certificates to your favorite restaurants, bars and coffee shops:

Can’t think of what to give? Give the gift of food! Downtown SLC is home to dozens of amazing restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Rest assured, this is one gift you can be sure won’t be regifted.

The holidays are in full swing here in downtown SLC. From shopping and holiday sightseeing to dining and drinking at our top-notch restaurants and bars, there is no shortage of holiday cheer for all your friends and family! To keep every face merry and bright, we're here to offer a few tips on How to Holiday downtown this season.

Getting Around Downtown

With so much to do downtown, it may seem nearly impossible to see everything on your list (and stay warm while doing it). But never fear – Jingle Bus is here! Jingle Bus is a free, holiday-themed ride circulating between The Gateway, Temple Square, City Creek Center, Gallivan Plaza and Capitol Theatre. Downtown visitors and shoppers will find this free service especially useful for getting to-and-from downtown’s two malls, as well as enjoying the abundant holiday lights and storefront decorations.

Jingle Bus runs from 5 PM–10 PM, 7 days a week (except for Christmas Day) free of charge, courtesy of the SLC Downtown Alliance, City Creek Center, The Gateway and other generous sponsors. Check out a map of Jingle Bus stops here.

Parking Downtown  

Did you know downtown has over 55,000 on- and off-street parking spots? That means there are plenty of places to park if you are driving to get to downtown. There are several parking garages throughout the city with the most notable being City Creek Center, The Gateway, and the Regent Street Garage. Remember, on-street parking is free after 8 pm!

City Creek (50 South Main): Just south of Temple Square, this is downtown’s largest and most central parking garage. Entrances to City Creek Center can be accessed from West Temple, South Temple, 100 South and State Street. Parking is free for the first two hours and is $2 for every hour after. If you happen to be dining at City Creek Center, there are a handful of restaurants that can validate. City Creek Center has over 5,000 parking spaces and real-time signs indicating available spots for quick and easy navigation.  

Regent Street Garage (55 East 200 South): Just south of City Creek Center, the Regent Street Garage is accessible via both Regent Street, between 100 and 200 South between State and Main Street, or  Orpheum Avenue from State Street. The cost of parking is $2 per hour.

The Gateway (400 West 100 South): Hosting a multitude of events this holiday season, you’ll want to be sure to check out The Gateway! Their garage can be accessed from 100 South, 400 West and 200 South. With the first hour free, the cost of parking is $2 per hour thereafter.

*Keep in mind, there are a number of other parking garages and lots available around downtown with varying prices. Most average about $2-4 per hour, and some require proof of payment to be placed face-up, on the dash of your car.

Transit

Want to avoid a parking headache all together? The Salt Lake Valley has a plethora of Park-n-Ride TRAX Stations to help you ditch your car this winter. Check out a map of Park-n-Ride Stations here. Consider hopping on the train with the whole family and taking a leisurely ride into downtown. Don’t forget, UTA has a Free-Fare Zone so you can use TRAX and buses within the downtown area free of charge. See a map of the Free-Fare Zone here. See other UTA Schedules here.

Traditions Downtown

Every year downtown fills with holiday shoppers, art lovers and adventure seekers alike. If you’re looking for that something extra to build upon your downtown holiday traditions, check out a few of our favorite things:

Lights, Candy Art, Murals and the Last Hurrah!
You may be among the throngs that enjoy the dazzling lights and charming creches at Temple Square. After taking in the dazzling light display, hop over to view an assortment of intricate, holiday-themed candy creations at City Creek Center. Local artists have created beautiful candy dioramas in the Macy’s windows on Main Street just below South Temple.

Need more visuals? Take a tour of our favorite downtown murals and street art. You can guide yourself through the city using an Interactive Map found at https://theblocksslc.com/map/ and find the following works:

SLC Pepper by Jann Haworth - 250 S. 400 W.
The many murals at The Gateway - 400 W. 100 S.
Salt Palace Subway by Traci O’Very Covey, Chuck Landvatter, Evan Jed Memmott, Matt Monsoon, Jimmi Toro and Alexis Rose - 40 S. 200 W.
Utah Jazz mural by Trent Call - 100 S. Main Street
Ave Maria by El Mac and Retna and various murals - 160 E. 200 S. (go down the alleyway!)
Murals at Ken Sanders Rare Books - 268 S. 200 E.

Skip the Times Square ball-drop this New Year’s Eve and head down to The Gateway for Last Hurrah! This popular local celebration features live music, cultural performances, food, drinks and more. Last Hurrah is the largest NYE celebration in Utah and is free and open to the public from 8 p.m. - midnight.

Holiday Treasure Hunting

Up your gift-giving game this year and get your friends and family something made by a local artist or craftsperson! Check out these galleries for beautiful and meaningful gifts: Modern West Fine Art, Hope Gallery, Southam Gallery, God Hates Robots, Urban Arts Gallery, Michael Berry Gallery, Art Access and Art At The Main.

Galleries aren’t the only places where you can purchase artwork. You will find retailers across downtown with works from local artists.

Want to give the gift of performance instead? Tickets to a performance from any of our celebrated resident companies are sure to be a hit! Upcoming 2019 performances include:

Repertory Dance Theatre - Emerge, Jan. 4-5 / Voices, Apr. 11-13
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Co. - The Live Creature and Ethereal Things, Feb. 1-2 / Bloom, Apr. 18-20
Pygmalion Productions - Wait, Feb. 21-Mar. 9 / Sweetheart Come, May 2-19
Plan-B Theatre - An Evening With Two Awful Men, Feb. 21-Mar. 3 / ...Of Color, Mar. 28-Apr. 7
Ballet West - Swan Lake, Feb. 8-23 / Choreographic Festival, May 9-11
Utah Opera - Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Mar. 9-17 / Bellini’s Norma, May 4-6
Utah Symphony - Brahms’ Violin Concerto, Feb. 22-23 / Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, May 4-6