The Maven District in Salt Lake City is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates trailblazers, misfits and confident stand-alone thinkers in business. Trailblazers. Misfits. Confident stand-aloners. These are the descriptors that adorn one of the murals in this women-owned business corridor, reflecting the spirit of a thriving, empowering community.

Those who visit the Maven District will find a treasure trove of eateries, resale shops, a Pilates studio, coffee stops, a romance-specific bookstore and more.

Continue on to find out what to see and do while you’re there.

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Maven District musts:

• Treat yourself to a non-toxic, plant-based skincare, body care or home essentials item at Pantry Products
• Order the Taco Trio for lunch or dinner at Tandoori Taqueria
• Check out all the public art and murals throughout the Maven District

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Why the Maven District stands out

One thing I discovered quickly when visiting Salt Lake City is that many downtown areas aren’t designed for local hyper-walkability. Compared to other cities, where streets are peppered with easy-access restaurants and shopping, Salt Lake City blocks feel more spread out.

The Maven District is different. It caters to walkers, bikers, shoppers, talkers and dreamers.

Built by women, for women

When founders Tessa Arneson and Rocky Donati established Maven, they did so with the intent of building a tight-knit community that empowers women entrepreneurs. What began as a Pilates studio is now home to more than 250 commercial and residential spaces. Some even call it “Small Lake City.”

Arneson and Donati have cultivated a safe, inclusive environment for women-owned businesses by offering space that’s financially sustainable and designed to foster entrepreneurial spirit. And it clearly shows.

Pantry Products: From kitchen pantry to Maven storefront

“I knew this is where I wanted to be,” says Michelle M. Czarka, founder and owner of Pantry Products. “It’s a great place to grow and to be part of the district and everything these women have created.”

Czarka, who began her non-toxic, plant-based skincare, body care, and home essentials business from her kitchen pantry as gifts, now has a brick-and-mortar location in Reno and a storefront in the Maven District, with more than 100 products and counting. She shares that she was drawn to Maven two years before planting roots in the district and stayed in contact with Arneson throughout the process.

“I knew I wanted to be here,” she says.

Pantry Products fun fact
The store offers a refill program with 10% off retail pricing and “Fill-Up Fridays” for an additional 10% off refills

A collaborative, creativity-fueled community

Like Czarka, the store and restaurant owners I encountered during my visit were deeply passionate about their businesses and energized by being part of such a collaborative, positivity-fueled community.

Ripple Desai, owner of Tandoori Taqueria, is another standout example of small-business success within Maven. During my visit, over lunch, Desai enthusiastically shared how she blends her Indian heritage with Mexican flavor influences. All throughout the menu, you can see how she’s weaved family recipes into unique and mouth-watering dishes. I sampled the trio tacos; mind blowing!

In addition to flavor-bursting chicken tikka, slow-cooked roast beef, and veggie tacos, Desai and her team make a not-so-secret but still mysterious hot sauce crafted from leftover ingredients. Its taste may vary slightly from visit to visit, but its flavor and fun factor remain constant.

Acrely Farms and mindful CBD

A few doors down from Tandoori Taqueria, Acrely Farms co-founders Britney Beardmore and Sarah Duke specialize in high-quality CBD products. In addition to shopping gummies, oils, bath soaks, and balms, patrons can learn where the products come from and how they’re harvested.

Maven synergy fun fact 
Acrely Farms, which has strong relationships with spas throughout Utah, teamed up with Pantry Products to create a Mother’s Day gift set for their spa clients. That collaboration led to an order of 4,000 foot salves and 4,000 sleep salves for Pantry Products.

More than shopping: A place for inspiration

The Maven District isn’t simply a place to shop and eat, although both are musts while visiting. It’s a place to gain inspiration. After spending time here, you may find yourself dreaming up a new business idea that you can take back home after your travels. Or, who knows — maybe the Maven is calling to you for a new life adventure?

Other places we loved in the Maven District

• La Barba Coffee: A go-to stop for coffee, tea, and bites
• Lovebound Library: A romance reader’s haven with everything from puppy love to steamier stories
• Normal Ice Cream: Known for creative soft-serve and pint ice creams (be sure to check out soft-serve ASMR in our IG reel)
• Public art: Murals abound throughout Maven and are as lively and vibrant as the artists and business owners who reside there

To learn more about the Maven District, visit mavenslc.com/collection/district.