To help the Sugar House neighborhood’s businesses during multiple construction projects, the Sugar House Chamber and Community Alliance is putting on a campaign called Shop Sugar House — where people can win prizes while supporting these businesses, and also know they’re putting their dollars to good use in the community.
Construction on Highland Drive has begun, which means the thoroughfare has been reduced to a single, one-way southbound lane between Wilmington Avenue and 2700 South. Several businesses on or near Highland Drive are being affected by this closure, including Black Cat Comics, Bruges Belgian Bistro, Patagonia Outlet and others.
Greg Gage, owner of Black Cat Comics, said that since the construction started, “we’re a little slower. It’s not the best thing, obviously, far from it.”
He told The Salt Lake Tribune that he hadn’t heard about the Shop Sugar House campaign, but he said “anything would help with this going on.”
To enter Shop Sugar House, people can snap a photo of their purchase at a Sugar House business, then go to ShopSugarHouse.org and click “Submit Entry.” There, you can upload your photo and be entered into a drawing for prizes, including goods and gift cards from local businesses as well as Visa gift cards. Participants are asked to post their photo on social media too, with the hashtag #ShopSugarHouse.
Participants can also enter photos of activities like taking in the view at Sugar House Park, attending the Sugar House Art Walk or playing pinball at Quarters Arcade Bar.
“We have a unique business district that has a little something for everyone,” said Sugar House Chamber co-chair Brandon Hill. “So come on out, dine with us, shop with us, take in our parks and scenery, and tag us on social media. We really hope the community rallies around this campaign and shows love to our local businesses.”
Winners will be drawn monthly, Hill said, but depending on participation, drawings may be held more often.
The Chamber is also putting on a live music series at Monument Plaza called Sugar House Rocks. The first performance is scheduled for April 21, featuring the Salt Lake City-based rock band The Medicine Company.
