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SALT LAKE CITY — A few minutes before she was scheduled to speak on the opening day of the Salt Lake City Downtown Winter Market on Saturday, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall wandered over to the Pyne Farms fruit stand close to where a podium was set up.
"You can get the best apples," she said, holding a Ludacrisp apple she purchased from the Santaquin-based farm. "It really is. ... This is what local is about."
But buying locally has many other advantages than just getting the best produce or goods. For instance, a 2013 Civil Economics study of Salt Lake City, Ogden and Wayne County sales found that, for every dollar spent in the marketplace, 55 cents stay in the local economy when buying from a local vendor. The figure drops down to about 14 cents when money goes toward big box stores.
The same survey noted that nearly 70% of money spent at a local restaurant stays in the local economy, as compared to 30% among national chains.
"Right now, we want to invite people during this upcoming holiday season to get down here to the farmers market at the Gateway. It's beautiful," Mendenhall added. "And then go downtown and enjoy one of the 150 restaurants in the downtown core. There are more than 60 events happening in the next two months, so downtown Salt Lake City is where it's at — and when you spend those dollars locally, you keep them here."
As an extra incentive to get people to shop locally, the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance again launched another "#SHOPSLC" giveaway. Anyone who likes and shares the Downtown Alliance's Facebook or Instagram post by Thursday will be entered into a package that includes a one-night stay at Hotel Monaco, two tickets to "A Soulful Holiday" with Utah Symphony, a $75 gift certificate to the restaurant Bambara and a $75 gift certificate to Salt and Honey.
Mendenhall didn't really have to promote the market to get people there on Monday, though. Scores of people trotted past the mayor as she spoke, purchasing all sorts of items from local vendors.
Alison Einerson, executive director of the Urban Food Connections of Utah, the organization that operates the market, said the winter market continues to grow on the success of the primary Salt Lake City Downtown Farmers Market, which is coming off its biggest year ever.
Spending at the Salt Lake City Downtown Farmers Market rose about 20% from where it was in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, Einerson said. The estimate is based on the percentage of sales that went back to the market operators at the end of every Saturday.
"(It) is pretty remarkable," she said. "We just felt like the community just really came out and were ready to spend and ready to support local."
Dee Brewer, executive director of the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance, said the sales translate to about 10,000-15,000 people who came to Pioneer Park every Saturday.
This is the winter market's 10th year and it continues to grow and feed on the traditional farmers market's popularity. There are about 70 booths expected at The Gateway almost every Saturday up until its final day on April 15, 2023.
Watching the shoppers around him Saturday, Brewer added that he believes the success over the summer will trickle over during the holiday season — not just at the market but the other shops and restaurants around the city.
Though #SHOPSLC focuses heavily on spending locally in Salt Lake City, Einerson points out that more than half of Utah's counties are represented just through the vendors at the winter market. That means spending at the market is benefiting communities all over Utah.
"It's really heartening to bring this community together and see the response from the public and just continue this incredible economic impact," she said. "It's a really good opportunity to come and get ready for the holidays. Get your apples for pie, get your turkey for Thankgiving (and) get your vegan cheese if that's more your speed. Whatever (it may be), we have everything you need here."
