There’s no other place like Salt Lake City, Utah’s Maven District. I would know because I had the pleasure of visiting, thanks to the teams at Maven and Visit Salt Lake, who invited me to experience the area first-hand. As someone who had never ventured into the Mountain West or knew much about the city beyond its spotlight in reality TV (the most well-known programs being The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, both of which I hadn’t seen), I didn’t know what to expect about Salt Lake City as a whole or this curated block of locally-owned businesses.
However, I knew I was in for a treat upon viewing my packed itinerary, which focused on the area’s lodging, workspaces, wellness studios, and shops, all led by female entrepreneurs who not only support one another but also serve as a platform, lifting each other to their highest potential. On Maven’s website, the notion that it “builds community” is echoed repeatedly, but I didn’t fully understand the mission until I witnessed it myself.
Welcome to Maven
The Maven team helped me capture its charm and essence from the moment I touched down at Salt Lake City International Airport, just seven miles from the quaint neighborhood. Soon after my arrival, I was greeted by Tessa Arneson, Maven’s Co-Founder and CEO; Rocky Donati, Co-Founder and CMO; Sidney Smith, Community Manager, and Jenna Bree, Communications Manager of Visit Salt Lake, who gave me a lay of the land.
We met at the Italian restaurant Cosmica, which recently opened in the district, and its homemade pasta and effusive interior design instantly captivated me. I even had the honor of meeting the creativity behind the illustrious space, Madelon Juliano, the Art Director at Renegade Craft, a nationally growing marketplace of artists and designers.
The eatery’s chef and owner, Zach Wade, also made an appearance, and we all couldn’t stop gushing about the spread of wine, cocktails, pasta, bread, salad, fish, dessert, and my standout favorite, Elk Carpaccio, laid before us.
These women made me feel at home, and our scheduled two-hour-long dinner easily stretched to closing time. We chatted about everything Maven and SLC, and I learned about each of their backstories, such as how Tessa’s vision, almost a decade earlier, to create a designated area for women business owners to lean on one another took off into an ever-growing empire. And how her connection with Rocky, an outdoors enthusiast and transplant from San Francisco, California, came to be after picking her brain in the Pilates studio.
Sidney also isn’t a native of Utah, hailing from Washington before running the show at Maven, and Visit SLC lead Jenna, who crossed the country from Connecticut, quickly fell in love with the city (and its year-round accessibility to the nearby ski slopes).
Maven STAY
Despite not growing up in the city, their passion for SLC radiated through the room to the point where I couldn’t wait until the morning to explore. After dinner, we made the short trip back to the hotel, where I got to survey my room.
They set me up in Maven STAY, their staffless boutique hotel in the heart of the district. Each one-bedroom, one-bathroom suite includes a fully stocked kitchen, full-size fridge, in-unit washer/dryer, dishwasher, and a private balcony. The building also features a private lounge, a large community rooftop area, a car garage, and a fitness center.
This was my first experience at a staff-free hotel, and I didn’t expect it to be such a seamless and simple process. I was given a code (generally the last four digits of your phone number) and room number via email before my 3:00 p.m. check-in time, which unlocked the building entrance, my unit, and the elevators. There are instructions outside each unit on how to lock up, as well as a contact number in case of any issues, which I did not encounter.
I was pleasantly surprised when I entered my unit to find more amenities besides the typical full-size bed and sitting area usually found in hotels. I envisioned myself spending many comfortable nights in the space, although sadly, I was only in town for three days.
Aside from having everything I could need in the kitchen, the bathroom was also equipped with multiple towels, washcloths, toiletries, and beauty items from Pantry Products, a women’s and LGBTQ-owned shop just a stone’s throw away that sells homemade, natural, and clean-ingredient wellness essentials.
Maven COMMUNITY
The next morning, I introduced myself to the founder of Pantry Products, Michelle Czarka, who was behind the counter in the shop’s open workstation, where shelves were already lined with handcrafted products like essential oils, lip glosses, soy candles, dog shampoos, and other items. It was tempting not to purchase all of the uncommon finds, especially after hearing her story.
Michelle is from Metro Detroit and didn’t initially have her eye on opening a business until she grew tired of the chemical-infused labels and unnatural products typically found in stores. She, like many of the female business owners in the Maven District, previously worked in the corporate world before venturing into business for herself, with shops in SLC and Reno, Nevada.
During my rounds, I also visited Acrely Farms, a business focused on growing hemp and CBD products that offer real benefits to the consumer, which opened in Utah in 2020. I didn’t have a chance to meet the founders, Sarah Duke and Britney Beardmore, but the rest of the staff were extremely kind in sharing the shop’s origin and which products would be most useful for anxiety, stress, allergies, and other conditions.
I even picked up some Pet CBD Oil recommended for my dog, Winnie, to help with her terrible allergies, which was approved by the adorable shop Bernese Mountain Dog, Zoey.
A Taste of Maven
While Cosmica was our first stop in Maven’s restaurant scene, I got to check out several other eateries along the strip, thanks to the team’s recommendations. One morning, I crossed the street of Maven STAY for a solo breakfast at Early Owl, an intimate cafe that serves affordable eats in a relaxed setting. Many other diners chose this cozy spot right at its 8:00 a.m. opening, and it appeared to be a go-to place for locals.
I pondered for a while over what to order, as everything on the menu, from hearty entrees to light bites and smoothies, made my mouth water. I ended up selecting the Salmon Scramble, which is made up of scrambled eggs, grilled mixed vegetables and mushrooms, smoked salmon, and avocado. I paired it with a side of wheat toast and green tea, which satisfied my craving beautifully. So much so that I wasn’t all that hungry for our early afternoon lunch next door at Tandoori Taqueria.
Admittedly still full from breakfast, I joined the group for Mexican cuisine I couldn’t pass up. I briefly met the owner, Ripple Desai, while out on the town the night before, and I was excited to hear her story of what brought her to SLC. She was originally from my home state of New Jersey before moving with her family to the mountains, where she stumbled upon the perfect available space for her unique dining concept.
Ripple opened the restaurant in 2014, delivering a rare combination for the area, blending traditional Indian dishes, an ode to her roots, with Mexican fare and spices. As someone who isn’t a fan of spicy food and is also highly allergic to tomatoes, I was slightly nervous while reviewing the menu that the cuisine wouldn’t align with my taste buds.
However, Ripple generously worked with me to find a dish that best suited my palate, ultimately landing on a customized version of the popular Tandoori dish: tandoori grilled chicken drizzled with a tangy slaw, served on a naan tortilla.
After one bite, I ignored my full tummy and nearly cleared my plate, as did everyone else at the table who ravaged their tacos and personalized bowls. Ripple also served cold and hot teas, which we poured into to-go cups as we continued our journey through Maven.
A Piece of Maven
While we digested our meal, we walked around the corner to The Land of Salt, an adorable boutique filled with handcrafted jewelry and decor. However, we didn’t just get to admire the products; we got behind the scenes in the action as owner Erica Hogan guided us through a ring-making workshop.
Over the next four hours, we learned the basics of forming a band, making the bezel, embellishing, polishing, and setting the stone in a beginner silversmithing class. None of us had ever undergone such a process, and we were enamored by how much goes into making a single ring.
We were also in awe of Erica’s patience and skills, as she’s a self-taught silversmith and a powerhouse in her field. Not to mention, we now had a newfound appreciation for ring-making and had some keepsakes to cherish forever.
There are over 100 businesses within the Maven District, the largest community of women-owned small businesses in Salt Lake City, which can be found on their website, and this only covers a small fraction of them. For more highlights from my three-day trip, including Maven’s creative spaces, wellness and beauty, and residential opportunities, check out my story here.
<p>The post In the Maven District, Women Take Charge of Salt Lake City’s Local Businesses first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>