Guest Blogger Becky Olsen

I took a little trip to the Provo's Farmers Market on Saturday.

Absolutely loved it!

It feels great to support local and enjoy fresh goods!

Some of my favorites included: lavender lemonade from Maggie's Farm Fresh (so subtle yet aromatic!), banana peppers from Genola and some apricot almonds. I've since enjoyed the banana peppers on my salads and in sandwiches! I also see a future purchase of lavender for some cupcakes. I hear Nigela has a great recipe that I would love to play with.

Editor's Note: Becky loves baking, entertaining, and all things gourmet. She blogs at Project Domestication.

Guest Blogger Kristen Randle

We went to the Farmer’s Market again, this time just to get pictures so we could share the love. Well, you know – ostensibly, that’s the reason why we were there. But going to a live market is a little like “visiting” puppies: we go, thinking in our infinite naiveté that we can look and leave empty handed. Ha. We came away from the market poor in bucks, but with plenty of bootie: fresh, plump, firm and juicy peaches, more felt delights, semi-precious stones bought from the people who’d cut and polished and wire wrapped them, mango ice pops.

Chaz, in a lovely pose, sampling the gourmet breads and dips. The really lively dips.

A random child, looking for mithril armor. The craftsman, in the blue shirt, swears that this is the real deal.

Dru, setting up her booth. She and her husband have a business: Rocks - we dig ‘em. They dig, cut, polish (also buy from exotic locales) then drill, set, wrap. We spent an hour just here.

I will give my daughter to the first man who brings us a load of opals - daughter’s fave

Wire wrapped cabochons

The necklace I did NOT sneak back an buy for Chaz.

I bought those peaches, there, just under the guy’s hand. Rachel says that these guys have the best produce at the best prices. Note the mangos. Before you go, call and we’ll tell you where to find them.

Chaz, perusing Old Man’s Books -

The band. Like an idiot, I cut out the drummer, who is great. No look on his face. Just the facts, ma’am, just the facts. The guy on the stool there sounds just exactly the way you think he’s gonna. Last week, he did Sittin’ on the Dock of a Bay and pretty much forgot all the words. But it was mellow. The rest of these guys are just eye candy.

The lovely Noah (really, I’d have to write it in Chinese), with her stunning smile and her fabulous felted confections. She is SOOOOO cute. Chaz and I are fangirls for her.

Look at this stuff - all felt. I need to take closer pictures. This stuff is truly elegant.

She does Chinese food and pastry. Honestly, I want to eat it all. I wish the pictures did it justice.

And these little bamboo slips. Oy.

Last week, these guys had a raft of herbs. I just touched their lavender, and the scent stayed with me all day. Nice for me, not so good for Chaz, who is allergic -

The local wood carvers’ guild

Chaz helpfully points out her favorite one

Buying real things from real people

My gosh - it’s just a little place, just one sidewalk along the south side of Pioneer Park. But going there - I don’t know. You just feel like you’ve been to a real - market.

Okay. I have to put a THE END here somewhere. But the place will be there again next Saturday. If you wanna go. Try a mango pop. Buy a felt napoleon, or a plate full of felt shrimp and soy beans. And if you do that last thing? Tell Noah we sent you.

Editor's Note: Kristen Randle and her husband own a recording studio. They have four children, five horses, two dogs, and a website.

Guest Blogger Ryan Neely

Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll...every first FridayJune was another smashing success for an increasingly popular Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll. Truly, some of Utah's best artists were on display at several openings across downtown. Several highlights include Terra Nova, which showcased new works by Brian Kirshisnik, Doug Fryer, Chris Thornock, and many others. Coleman Studios featured works by the Utah County Artists Guild, and the Sego Art Center had a group show featuring Allan Ludwig, Gian Pierotti, and Rebecca Neely. Solo shows are featured at Gallery 110, Mode Boutique, and Coal Umbrella – featuring Lumina Gershfield, Janelle Wride, and Allan Ludwig respectively.

I was pleased to see so many groups of people walking around downtown enjoying the art. Thanks to the support of everyone who came, Provo is quickly becoming a cultural mainstay in the state, no longer an after thought in the minds of art lovers across the state. With strong showings across the city, in a wide array of media and styles, we are placing ourselves at the forefront of artistic development and intellectual thought. It's a great reminder of why art is so important to the city of Provo and its citizens. To all those who have helped and supported, thank you, and please tell your friends and family!

Next Gallery Stroll falls on the 4th of July, but that doesn't mean there won't be any shows. Check back for official schedules, but you can count on seeing more great art next month!

Your friend in art,

Ryan Neely

Editor's Note: Ryan Neely, owner of Mode Boutique, is contracted by the Downtown Alliance to co-ordinate the gallery stroll. For more regular posting about the Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll please click here. Also, join the Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll group on facebook!

Guest Blogger Zina Bennion visits Chaos Asian Market

I have been obsessed with the grain quinoa lately. So when I found a new recipe for Chinese Greens with Quinoa and Peanuts, I pretty much couldn’t sleep till I’d made it and tasted its deliciousness. However, making such a dish could prove difficult as it called for broccoli rabe, daikon, bok choy, and snow peas- produce that I may be able to find at my local grocery store, but would undoubtedly be expensive and of dubious quality. Sigh. Lucky for me a short 2 ½ blocks away from my house is the remarkable and wonderful Chaos Asian Market where I was fully confident I could find all these things at a much more reasonable cost and quality assured. So I rushed over and indeed every single thing I needed (and much more) was happily waiting for me. This has been my experience on many an occasion, and I love shopping at this great little store.

I first heard about Chao’s Asian Market when my friend told me you could buy a well stuffed bag of basil for a mere $1.25 or so. I couldn’t believe it and as I was on a pesto making kick I made my way down to their store (located 77 N University Ave). There I found not only the incredibly priced basil but a whole host of hard to find Asian produce, noodles, tofu, frozen sea animals, oils, spices, sauces, novelty treats, and more. I was delighted to find this treasure trove, and even more delighted with how low their prices were and how incredibly nice and friendly the owners and workers are.

Chaos has been here since 1974, when Mr. Chao first came to Provo to visit some friends. He was impressed with how clean, beautiful and nice it seemed and so he changed his plans to move to California (where much of his family resides) and opted for this newfound community. Over the years he and his lovely wife have raised two talented children and run this successful family business with the customer as their first priority, always treating people as friends not just customers. I asked Mrs. Chao (who now entirely runs the business) how they keep their prices so low and she said that they want it to be affordable always for their customers, and that they have never had money or business expansion as a goal. As a result they have multi-generational customers who are always loyal. Mrs. Chao commented that they now have young students come in to the store with their parents who used to shop there when they were in school. Many of their cliental are part of the Provo Asian population, and others served missions in, or have lived in Asian countries and crave authentic Chinese, Thai, Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean or other foods. Mr. Chao made it a point to learn basic conversational skills in most Asian languages so he could always greet his customers in a friendly and personable way.

I go to Chao’s to find standard items at bargain prices (three bunches of scallions for a dollar! A large bottle of sesame oil for four dollars!), hard to find ingredients, and to explore totally new and unknown tasty treats. Then there is their find collection of rice cookers, cookware, and even starts for hard to find vegetables like Japanese eggplant! So stop by, and be amazed by the wealth of culinary adventures and kind hearted service you’ll find!

Mrs. Chao and Zina at the checkout.

The tasty meal Zina made using ingredients from Chaos.

Guest Blogger Rob Bennion

Network locally, shop locally; keep the revenue downtown!

I have had the privilege to live in a few different places during my 28 years: London, Brazil, Hawaii, Japan; and have traveled to many states and countries: all over the US, parts of Canada, most of Western Europe, much of South and Central America. Something that always makes a place stand out is when there's a real sense of community, and character. I think a lot of this has to do with how well the local businesses and community support each other.

I've been out of the state for a few years, and coming back to Provo I received a pleasant surprise: downtown's looking great! Kudos to everyone who's made this happen . . . downtown Provo is beginning to have that sense of community support I'm talking about.

When I have the option, I try to shop from locally-owned and operated businesses. You may see my wife and I biking around town with our 2 kids in tow in the little red bike stroller as we ride around supporting our local businesses: eating at the Lotus Garden or El Salvador Restaurant; buying art supplies at Provo Art and Frame; or getting ice cream at Maestro's Gelato. I like to have meetings with my band at the Smokehouse, and when family's in town we go to Los Hermanos. We've been to Comedy Sports, seen many music performances at Muse, Velour, and many other places that don't even exist anymore.

As a musician I've performed at many local venues over the years: Pier 54, the Station, the Palace, Starry Night, ABG's, Atchafalayas, The Roasted Artichoke, Mama's Cafe, Muse Music, Velour, Seven Peaks, and the once great Omni/Edge dance club. I remember when No Doubt opened for local band Stretch Amstrong's cd release party right here in P-town! Great job Cory Fox in keeping the music scene going through all these venue changes.

It's not always convenient to shop locally as big-box stores push out the little guys. I believe that we can all help create this sense of strong community; where people choose to pay a little more perhaps for the better customer service, better product, and improve the local flavor.

I'm a saxophone player and band leader in constant contact with many event coordinators, registered brides, and customers who are planning an event. Networking together our community can keep these customers coming to our local shops and family-owned businesses.
www.robbennion.com

Guest Blogger Zina Bennion visits Heindselman's Knit & Gift

photo from stitchdiva.com

Resolutions Really Do Come True

On January first, 2005 I did a very typical thing. I made a resolution. Singular. Just one. I exercised restraint. After a lifetime of overzealous New Year’s resolution making, I’d determined that just one per year would likely ensure 100% completion. And so, for the year of 2005, I decided that learning to knit was my one precious goal- the wishbone pulled from the previous year that just might break in my favor. I had long dreamt of being able to sit in a cozy chair each evening and with almost imperceptible movements of my hands and the gentle click of wooden needles create some lovely and useful shroud. I had had several failed attempts at learning- once on a dizzying bus ride through Italy (I was too distracted by olive groves and Carnival on the beach), once via the clumsy instructions of a library book (with which I quickly lost patience), and once under the tutelage of my art school friend who knitted chunky hot pink yarn with large sticks of rebar for needles (too abstract). Nevertheless, I set out one cold January morning to the local yarn store, the shadow of my failed knitting dreams tangling round my ankles.

I had passed Heindselman’s Yarn and Needlework shop many times, peering in, wishing I had some legitimate skill that would grant me access to its cheery interior and untold wealth of lovely yarns. Clinging to my singular resolution I walked in, and shyly approached one of the several kindly employees and asked if perchance she knew where I could learn to knit. I expected a class sign up- where I would likely pay, go, and maybe master just a basic stitch after several weeks of feeling continually behind. But she smiled brightly and told me that if I purchased some needles and yarn she would teach me right then and there. I was shocked and delighted, the resolution gods were smiling down on me. And so for the cost of a simple pair of wooden needles and a skein of cheap cotton yarn, I was treated with a two-hour private tutorial with the kindest, most patient teacher ever. She gave me an easy dishcloth pattern that emphasized knitting and purling, taught me how to do both, and gave me lots of useful insights and tips as my awkward fingers fumbled around the chartreuse yarn that slowly gained form and shape. I went home armed with the beginning of a knitting love affair, and overwhelmed by the highest quality customer service I’d ever encountered. Since then I’ve taken numerous questions, tangled messes, and un-started projects to the skilled staff and have always received expert help and have found lovely, high quality and unique yarns that aren’t available anywhere else in the county, and perhaps state.

Add to the irresistible charm of the staff and stock the fact that Heindselman’s is THE oldest yarn shop in America!!! It was founded in 1904 by current proprietor Ted Schofield’s grandparents; George and Dee Heindselman. George, originally from Illinois, had studied optometry and watch making and opened the shop as an optical, watch making/repair, and jewelry store. Soon thereafter Dee added yarn and needlework, and then musical instruments and sheet music became a part of the inventory as well. The store had several different downtown locations over the years, and by the time it reached it’s current location (176 W & Center) the merchandise had settled on supplies for knitting, and various needlework projects, as well as a handful of toys and knick knacks, which according to Ted, are there mainly to be given away- a tradition his grandfather started and he keeps.

Maybe it’s that giving attitude that makes Heindselman’s such a happy place. Once when buying some wool for a scarf, Ted told me I should wash and block dry it when I finished. He then proceeded to give me the gentle detergent I would need, free of charge. Or maybe it’s that the word Heindselman in German is the name for the very same magical forest elves that helped the poor cobbler finish all his shoes when he had gone to bed (if you look closely there are more than a few of these elves hidden around the shop). Or maybe it’s that you can tell Ted and his dedicated staff wouldn’t trade their jobs for the world and do them because they love them. Ted’s coming to the store illustrates this point better than any.

Ted had Master’s in bio-medical engineering and was at the start of a successful career in San Francisco where he helped design the first artificial heart valves. But he realized that he didn’t want to raise his family in such an urban environment, and that he didn’t want to have his career in a field that was so motivated and steered by money. So, in 1979, he and his wife (who is one of 31 nationally certified knitting instructors), came back to Provo and Ted bought into the family business that he had worked in since his childhood.

Ted has continued to run this wonderful business with heart and integrity. Offering the finest service, excellent classes (they have courses in all kinds of knitting, spinning, crocheting, tatting, rug making, lace making, etc.), generosity, and the best merchandise around. Where else can you come and buy silk yarn made by women in India out of Sari scraps as part of the 10,000 villages project? Soon Ted tells me they’ll be getting beads and other materials sent by his daughter who just began working in the Peace Corps in Malawi, Africa.

I love this store and will continue to choose it any day over online shopping or box stores that I have to drive to (I can walk or ride my bike easily to Heindselman’s) and where I know I won’t get the same care and attention. So if you knit, crochet, tat, spin, embroider, or have ever wanted to do any of those things, or if you really like Beanie Babies, or if you just really like nice people, visit Heidselman’s and you will not be disappointed. Resolutions do come true.

Zina Bennion and Ted Schofield at the knitting demo table.

Guest Blogger Enoch Chapman

The Essence of Downtown – An outsider’s perspective

I grew up in a small New Hampshire town that believed more in the growth of livestock than the growth of the city. I remember that going to the store was a friendly experience. My parents knew the owners and I was easily recognized at each store, usually because I was one of the two minorities that lived in New Hampshire. However, when I was young, I thought that people knew my family and that we were important to them.

And we were important to them. The businesses thrived and survived because of the townsfolk. The virtual world didn’t exist and sales were a face-to-face approach. Strong relationships brought return business and allowed profitable growth. Sure there was television and periodicals, but if the experience wasn’t there then the company would disappear, and many did.

As a small town, many businesses were located in different parts of the city. The grocery store was on the west side. The pharmacy was on the north side and the pet store was on the east side. But you didn’t have a problem with traveling to these locations, because you knew the people and you trusted them. However, many small businesses couldn’t survive due to their location to other companies in the area, unless they had something to offer that other stores couldn’t.

Our problem of growth in a small town started to compound when Big Companies, like Wal-Mart, entered the environment. Now there was a one stop shop that you could purchase much of what you wanted at a cheaper price. For many people in the small town this was a BIG benefit. And much of the small businesses saw themselves losing profits because of cost, location and convenience. Why go to a bakery when you can get a cake, your prescriptions and groceries all in one location?

What did continue to strive were the businesses that became specialty shops: shops that catered to something that wasn’t purchased or experienced in the Big Companies. Music stores, Book Stores, Specialty Clothing Stores, and other “specialty” shops began to appear, grow and survive. Many stores also appeared and disappeared just as quickly. Why? I don’t have all the answers, but I did notice that those who went on it alone were companies that slowly fizzled. Usually because people saw the business enter the community, but not many knew what the business was doing.

So here are a couple of ideas that I saw within my hometown:

1) Relationships ARE important! – How do we build relationships? Or show people that you are committed and trustable? Groups and Organizations help. The Downtown Alliance can show customers the commitment you have to the area. Joining other companies of the Downtown Alliance shows people that you are interested in being an active part of the growth of Provo.

2) Location IS important! – Think of all the opportunities you have to leverage off the community of downtown. The fact that restaurants, specialty clothing shops, music stores and other businesses are a stone’s throw away from each other is an opportunity for strategic alliances and cross promotions. Show people the benefit of all the businesses that are locally available a simple walk away.

3) Make a presence! – People need to know what it is you do! They also need the word to get out there about your offerings. The Downtown Alliance is another vehicle to help you push your business to the people. By utilizing the virtual and physical capacities of the Downtown Alliance you can make people know more about who you are!

I look at my home town and think … if it wasn’t for the strength of certain groups (like rotary club, lion’s club, etc) I wouldn’t know about half of what businesses were out there. However there was no organization that was dedicated to making a business grow. What would have happened to my little hometown business if there was one organization interested in the development and growth of the business community?

The Downtown Alliance is dedicated to making people aware of the businesses and opportunities of Downtown Provo, UT. And by helping out with awareness and opportunities they are helping business grow. I wonder when New Hampshire will catch up.

Editor's Note: Enoch Chapman is a Computer Software Consultant and Contractor with an office in downtown Provo.