“I tried to bring a little piece of the Lower East Side to Salt Lake City,” Corey Bullough said, reflecting on what first inspired him to open Fice Gallery back in 2008. Deeply influenced by the street art and creative culture of New York City, Corey wanted to create something he felt the city lacked - a space where young, emerging artists could be seen, heard, and supported.

“If you walk in and we say hello, and you leave with nothing, that’s still enough for us. That’s the culture we’ve built here.” Zallzo may be a made-up name, but the business behind it is as real and rooted as they come.

“Owning a small business is joy and/or terror, depending on the day,” Jacqueline Whitmore said with a laugh. And yet, it is clear to anyone who walks through the doors of Copperhive Vintage that joy has the upper hand. A kaleidoscope of color, texture, and nostalgia, her store is more than a place to shop. It is a personal expression, a gathering space, and a curated love letter to the past.

“We want to be everyone’s friend. If you make stuff, we want to see it, support it, and tell you how you can do this too.” That is the heart of Atelier, a small, thoughtfully curated shop on Pierpont Avenue in downtown Salt Lake City, run by best friends Malinda Fisher and Olivia Henrie.

“We want every woman who walks through our doors to feel like an absolute queen,” Marley McKenna says with a warm smile. Her voice is as confident as her vision for Revive Boutique, a place that has redefined the shopping experience in Salt Lake City. From its beginnings in 2020 during the height of the pandemic to its relocation in the vibrant Central 9th district in May 2024, Marley’s passion for accessible, high-quality fashion has made Revive a standout destination for locals and tourists alike.

“I wanted Annata to feel like a place where anyone can come in and find something without any judgment,” shares Nicole Jensen, the visionary behind Annata Collective, a thoughtfully curated vintage shop in Salt Lake City’s Central City neighborhood. On sunny days, Nicole bikes to work with her loyal dog in tow - a touch her customers love and remember.

“A Genie’s Dream is all about unleashing your imagination and igniting the spark within,” Allison Gondoli says, her voice warm with enthusiasm. For this Salt Lake City native, her boutique is not just a shop, it is a manifestation of her philosophy on life, creativity, and connection. Allison always dreamed of creating a space where people could nurture their well-being while exploring the magic of self-expression. In 2024, she brought that dream to life by opening A Genie’s Dream in the heart of Salt Lake.

“One of our core values is supporting and sustaining local artisan makers. The art and the things you purchase are like the sweet and savory parts of your home and life - accents that are more special,” Ashley Collett reflected as she sat across from Nicole Choules. The two, who co-founded Salt and Honey, are business partners and friends—or as they refer to one another, “work wives.”

“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.

“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.