Businesses That Thrived During COVID

Saturday Cycles: Margie Isabelle & Mark Kennedy

Companies Stayed Open But Faced New Challenges During Pandemic

By Carey Hamilton

Saturday Cycles

Unlike other businesses that had to shut their doors for months or even forever, Saturday Cycles in Salt Lake City’s Marmalade District remained largely open after the disruptive and disastrous March 2020 Covid lockdown. During that time, the shop faced new challenges to its business model while trying to keep its customers happy.

On one hand, owner Mark Kennedy was lucky that his company was considered an “essential business”, as biking was thought to be an adequate social distancing form of transportation, exercise and recreation. But the frustration and chaos that ensued, mostly from lack of inventory, still resonates.

“Everyone wanted a bike all of a

sudden,” Kennedy said. “We mostly couldn’t keep up with demand, and the whole pipeline of bike stuff went dry. So we had to deal with the risk of Covid, as well as a lot of people looking for help with stuff, but we couldn’t get them things. Bikes we had ordered a year earlier never arrived.”

Most of the bicycles and parts come from Asia, and as factories were shuttered, supply was cut. The shortage of bikes and parts still exists and might return to normal by 2023. Or it might not.

With a mission of helping people “to be able and prepared to ride your bike everywhere, and to use it every day,” the staff consists of avid cyclists, from road and mountain racers, BMXers, all-season commuters, and bicycle tourists.

While the shop, at 605 N 300 W (https://www.saturdaycycles.com), saw its best financial years in 2020-21, the stress of worrying about COVID transmission amongst his half-dozen employees and the public, as well as the dearth of unavailable parts, was overwhelming.

“We were already turning away business because we couldn’t keep up,” he said. “So we made a few dollars, but I wouldn’t say we thrived. It was probably the worst two years ever for me in the bike industry. We do it because we love it, and during Covid, the love part got sucked out.”

Saturday Cycles was not alone in its struggle to keep pace with demand during that unprecedented time.

England Plumbing Supply

England Plumbing Supply in Millcreek saw a spike in business as owner Chris King said people tackled their “honey-do lists” while on lockdown.

The majority of projects were bathroom and kitchen remodels and sprinkler and landscaping jobs. Plumbing companies and do-it-yourselfers make up the majority of customers at the shop, located at 1009 E 3300 S (https:// www.englandplumbingsupply.com).

“I think it had to do with keeping themselves from going crazy being stuck at home,” King said. He and his three employees were so busy they didn’t have much time for making sourdough bread, streaming their

favorite TV series, or watching TikTok like so many others. “It was definitely a weird time,” he said.

Getting parts became less of a problem as suppliers tapped into their reserves, but since then, plants have shut down and some are playing catch up. “We were spoiled in 2020 and 2021,” King said.

The general trend of slowdowns began after Thanksgiving last year, but he expects activity to pick up once the temperatures rise this spring and people spruce up their yards.

Steve Wasmund, AKA Bykmor. He can be seen riding his big orange longtail bike all over town.

A BAR NAMED SUE

Full bar, food, pool tables, pingpong. 3928 S Highland Dr, SLC + 8136 S State St, Midvale

BEERHIVE PUB

Main Street just got a whole lot cooler! A big, gorgeous bar, hundreds of great beers and good company. 128 S Main St., SLC

BIG WILLIES

Good pub food, sports bar and pool tables. 1717 S Main St, SLC

BODEGA

Home of SLC’s best kept secret. 331 S Main Street BOHEMIAN BREWERY

Czechs know: Amazing food. Amazing beer. 94 E 7200 S

CHAKRA LOUNGE

Tapas, exceptional cocktails, DJ. 364 S State, SLC COTTON BOTTOM INN

Classic aprés ski, famous garlic burgers. 2820 E 6200 S, Holladay

DESERT EDGE PUB

Great food and atmosphere for a night out. Trolley Square

FIDDLER’S ELBOW

Watch the Utes and drink a stein in Sugar House. 1063 E 2100 S

GRACIE’S

Service, drinks, food and ambience—all top notch. 326 S West Temple, SLC

GREEN PIG PUB

Great place to watch the game and have a pint. 31 E 400 S, SLC

HOG WALLOW

Offering spirits & bar food, live music. 3200 E Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Cottonwood Heights

KEYS ON MAIN

Live dueling piano bar in the heart of downtown. 242 S Main

LEGENDS SPORTS GRILL

Perfect spot to watch the Jazz and enjoy a burger and a brew. 677 S 200 W

LUCKY 13

Excellent food and a friendly atmosphere. 135 W 1300 S

PIPER DOWN

SLC’s Most Amazing Rooftop Patio. 1492 S State St, SLC

POPLAR STREET PUB

Good food, great selection of local beers. 242 S 200 W PROPER BREWING CO.

Craft beer and a full bar. Food available next door at Proper Burger Co. 857 S Main St., SLC

RED ROCK BREWING CO.

Utah’s most awarded brew pub: taste why. 254 S 200 W + 1640 W Redstone Center Dr, Park City

SQUATTER’S

Where great dining and beer was born in Salt Lake City. 147 W Broadway (300 S)

THE BAYOU

A must see ‘Beervana’, 100s of beers. 645 S State St., SLC

TWIST

Renovated 19-century boiler room with a patio for clever small plates, pub classics & craft beer. 32 S Exchange Pl, SLC

UINTA BREWERY

A small pub attached to Utah’s biggest brewery. 1722 Fremont Dr. (2375 W)

WASATCH BREW PUB

Superb food and beer. 2110 Highland Dr, SLC + 250 Main Street Park City

WHISKEY STREET

High West and a great vibe classic feel. 323 South Main St.

Celebrating America’s Craft Breweries with over 300 Brands

May Activities

May 12

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival. Owl lovers are invited to a bird watching party on Antelope Island to look for Great Horned, Barn, Burrowing, Long-eared and Short-eared owls. This is also a great opportunity to see other wildlife in the park. Held from 5pm to 9:30pm, ticket price includes park entry. Registration and more information can be found at daviscountyutah.gov/greatsaltlakebirdfest.

May 14

Farm Fest at Wheeler Farm. Celebrating all things spring and previewing the Wheeler Farm Farmers market. There will be sheep shearing, hands-on farming activities and wagon rides for $3. Vendor hours are 9am to 2pm and admission is free. Wheeler Farm is located at 6351 S 900 E

May 14

Hairy Horse Show in Ogden. This is a family open horse show for groups from under 9 years to adults. Classes include halter, pleasure, snaffle, bit, reining, barrels, poles, and keyhole. Signups are from 7:30am to 9am, and the show starts at 9am. Admission is free. Find more information a facebook. com/events/473560940660977//.

May 19

Hiking Hounds Class with the Humane Society. This 90-minute on-leash hiking class teaches loose-leash walking, polite dog greetings, coming when called, and more. Cost is $35 per class. May’s class will be held at Orson Smith Park, 12625 S Highland Dr., at 6:30pm. More classes will be held June 14 at Dimple Dell, July 13 at Wheeler Farm, August 18 at Jordan River Parkway, and September 13 at Quail Hollow. Find more information at utahhumane.org/programs-services/behavior/hiking-hounds.

May 20-22

Moab Music Festival. This concert series presents music at various venues around Moab. Starting on May 20th with a High Water Colorado River Float and Concert. May 21 features a High Water Family Music Hike and High Water Garden Concert. The concluding concert on May 22 will be held in Old City Park, Moab. For more information and tickets, visit moabmusicfest.org.

May 20-22

Living Traditions Festival. The Salt Lake City Arts Council is sponsoring this annual festival presenting both historical and contemporary multicultural traditions through dance, music, craft and culinary arts. It will be held Friday from 5pm to 10pm, Saturday 12pm to 10pm, and Sunday 12pm to 7pm at Washington and Library Squares. Admission is free. Find more information at LivingTraditionsFestival.com.