Founded by Betsy Bober Polivy, Salt Lake Sideways highlights the people and stories behind Salt Lake City’s local businesses. A former children’s bookstore owner with a passion for small businesses, Betsy began her storytelling in New York City with Manhattan Sideways.
She fell in love with Salt Lake City after her son moved here and has since featured over 100 businesses on Salt Lake Sideways. Here are a few of the faces behind Salt Lake’s best hidden gems.
📍111 E. 2700 S.
Azar and Asghar Farajnedad came to Utah from Tehran in 1999 and opened Best Chicken and Ribs Greek Food just three years later. Since then, their delicious food has kept customers coming back; some who first came as kids now bring kids of their own.
Matthew and Robyn from Sims Motorcycle Monkeys (Salt Lake Sideways)
📍50 W. Truman Ave.
Robyn and Matthew are both graduates of The Other Side Academy where they became friends and then fell in love. This motorcycle repair and custom bike shop services all makes and models and emphasizes transparency and affordability, with discounts for service members and teachers.
Charles Thorpe of Space & Faders (Salt Lake Sideways)
📍 85 Louise Ave. S.
Charles Thorpe, a longtime stage manager and music lover, transformed a warehouse in South Salt Lake into a versatile creative hub that offers band rehearsal rooms, recording studios, and event space.
Phile Sherburne (right) of Signed & Numbered. (Salt Lake Sideways)
📍2320 S. W. Temple St.
Phil Sherburne was the original founder behind Kilby Court before he opened Signed & Numbered with his partner, artist Leia Bell. Each frame is lovingly crafted by hand.
Chris Blatchford of Blatch’s BBQ (Salt Lake Sideways)
📍186 I St.
Chris Blatchford, inspired by his grandmother’s cooking in San Diego, built Blatch’s BBQ into an award-winning, all-vegan barbecue spot. Together with his wife, Joy, they operate out of their 1896 home!
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