“People always wonder about us - are we married, are we business partners? The truth is, we’re best friends who’ve built this chocolate shop together, and it’s been an incredible journey.” When Katie Masterson moved from Chicago to Salt Lake City in 2001, she had no idea that a temporary holiday job would lead her to become co-owner of Hatch Family Chocolates. Partnering with Steve Hatch, whose family had a rich tradition in candy making, Katie brought her background in pastries and desserts into the mix, helping to shape what is now one of Salt Lake City’s beloved chocolate shops.

“Good style is good style, and it doesn’t matter if it was made forty years ago or yesterday.” Adrienne Jarrett, owner of Re-finery Salt Lake City, combines her passion for fashion and her commitment to sustainability, creating a space where clothing not only tells a story but also contributes to an eco-friendlier future.

“Taking a three-hour flower arranging class made me so happy - it brought me a source of comfort and peace that I did not realize could happen to me,” shares Natalie Cruz, a native of Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Surrounded by flowers since childhood, thanks to her mother and grandmother, Natalie developed a deep love for blooms. This passion followed her to California, where it truly flourished during her college years. Frequent visits to local farmers markets and floral arrangement classes ignited a joy that eventually led to the founding of The Petal Coop.

“I’ve always loved the thrill of Halloween. And when we couldn’t find what we wanted for our daughter’s first Halloween, we realized there was a need for a year-round spooky shop,” says Landrie Miller, the owner of Spoox Bootique, a unique Halloween-themed store in Salt Lake City that fills the needs of ghoul-inclined patrons throughout the year.

“Ice cream should be a part of your normal daily life - a treat you can savor every day,” says Alexa Norlin, the visionary behind Normal Ice Cream. Alexa, a classically trained pastry chef who studied in Canada and on the East Coast, noticed a gap in Utah’s dessert scene when she moved to Salt Lake City. She wanted to introduce something new: high-end soft-serve ice cream. With a love for soft serve that stemmed from her childhood, she saw the potential to elevate this classic treat with unique, decadent flavors.

“I’ve been here for fifty-two years. I started when I was twenty.” Thus began my delightful and inspiring conversation with Renee Backer, a strong, energetic seventy-two-year-old woman at the heart of Mrs. Backer’s Bakery. When I asked Renee if she had a few minutes to share the history of Mrs. Backer’s, she quickly replied, “There are articles that have been written about us since 1942. Our story has been told over and over, but I guess there is always something new to add.”

“We noticed there were some high-end shops in town and some budget-friendly ones, but nothing really in between - nothing really woman-owned at the time.” This insight from Danielle Bossert, one of the co-founders of Strawberry Mansion, captures the essence of what she and her sister, Josie, set out to create when they opened their shop in 2022. Set in a vibrant area of Salt Lake, Strawberry Mansion offers a carefully curated collection of furniture, art, pottery, lighting, and books, all echoing the sisters’ deep-rooted passion for design.

“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.” 

“The food, the drink - all of it is just a means to an end."  Erica O'Brien’s vision for The Rose Establishment was clear from the beginning. She wanted to develop a space that went beyond just serving coffee and food. “Ultimately, nothing else matters other than creating a place where people can connect.” This focus on fostering genuine human connections is central to everything at The Rose, from the intentional absence of Wi-Fi, encouraging face-to-face conversations, to the thoughtfully curated menu that prioritizes quality and sustainability.

“I came to Utah for school, but I stayed because I fell in love with the people, the environment, and the opportunities,” shared the inspiring restaurateur, Chanon Vanngam. Her journey from Thailand to the United States is as remarkable as the dishes she serves in her beloved Thai restaurant.

“I didn’t set out to start a business; it just kind of happened,” Michelle Czarka admitted as she reflected on the unexpected journey that led her to open Pantry Products. “But once I saw the joy it brought to people, I knew I was onto something.” Whether shopping for a gift or treating yourself, stepping into Pantry Products is like stepping into Michelle’s world - a world where everything is made in the shop’s kitchen.

“All of them have great memories, but Utah is my favorite. I’ve been here since I was eighteen, and I don’t have a desire to leave.” Helen Wade’s journey is as dynamic and layered as the shop she owns, The Stockist, nestled in the vibrant 9th and 9th district of Salt Lake City. Born in Oregon, Helen’s life has been a whirlwind of moves - from Oregon to Connecticut, then to Utah, back to Oregon, and finally settling in Utah for good.

“After everything, I needed a way to rebuild, something that could give me a fresh start. That’s what Sheer Ambrosia is for me - it’s my way of reinventing myself,” Rita Magalde said with a quiet determination as she shared her incredible story with me.

“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.