Your Daily Guide

These days it feels like Swig — Utah’s premier soda shop — is on its way to world domination. While the soda mogul inspired a wave of small business owners to open up their own dirty soda shops, Swig's expansion now potentially threatens the mom-and-pop shops' existence.

• A dirty star was born: Nicole Tanner founded Swig in St. George in 2010, growing the company to 16 locations before partnering up with a restaurant development company in 2017. The company now has more than 150 locations and is opening a store about every six days, according to their CEO. [Utah Business, Salt Lake Tribune]
• The Starbucks of soda: As Swig expands into towns where small shops opened first, business owners say it’s squeezing them out and causing them to adapt their menus to stand out. But Swig’s CEO said the company is “focused on where [their] customers are [rather] than where competition is.” [Salt Lake Tribune]
• Why did it catch on? Dirty soda started as a workaround for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whose health code discourages drinking tea or coffee. Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” really cemented the craze for outsiders. But OGs remember when Olivia Rodrigo’s 2021 Instagram photo started the #dirtysoda trend on TikTok. Even McDonald’s has created their own craft sodas. [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, People, McDonalds]
• The craziest item on the menu? Probably their new Swig energy drinks, but you tell me. As a Utah County girlie, I liked the Missionary — Sprite, coconut cream, and watermelon-strawberry-coconut syrup — or "Miss," as we called it. [Swig]

Salt Lake’s Best FB Marketplace Find

I’m a certified Facebook Marketplace freak, and I must present you with one of my best finds this week: "Dog Serves You Divorce Papers" by local artist Lucy Arutyunyan. For $150 (or best offer), you can have an original painting inspired by a woman’s desire for a martini. [Facebook Marketplace]

Millcreek City Removes Flock Camera

An unauthorized license plate reader found on city property in Millcreek was taken down this week. City officials say they didn’t approve the installation, nor do they know how it got there, but the incident is raising privacy concerns among residents about who’s accessing the data and whether there are more unauthorized cameras. [KUTV]

Tax Bill Goes Up for Salt Lakers

Salt Lake City residents can expect a higher property tax bill this fall after the City Council approved a 9.16% increase Tuesday night. Homeowners with a $703,000 valued home can expect to pay an additional $8.35 a month. The tax will generate $13.5 million for the city to pay for things like maintenance on public lands, vehicle repairs, firefighter resources, and other costs. [Salt Lake Tribune]

Rare Cheese Arrives at Caputos

PSA to cheese enthusiasts: Caputo's is doing another rare cheese drop. The Yoredale Wensleydale is a raw cow’s-milk cheese from Yorkshire, England. It’s said to be citrusy, light and pair well with fruits like pears and apples. Fun fact: It revived traditional, pre-war farmhouse cheesemaking methods. Grab a slice before it’s gone. [Instagram]

Are E-Bikes Too Risky?

Emergency room visits due to e-bike and scooter accidents are rising among young people, both nationally and locally. How can parents and cities navigate the dangers while keeping kids free to get around without a car? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]