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For 33 years, we have had the privilege of celebrating history’s powerhouse female figures, as a nation, every March. That’s because Congress passed Public Law 100-9 in 1987, not only  designating March as “Women’s History Month,” but also solidifying a fact that we have known for a very long time: women’s accomplishments change the world for the better.

According to womenshistory.org, Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California.

“The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations the following year.”

14-yr. old striker, Fola La Follette, and Rose Livingston. Glass negative from the George Grantham Bain Collection, 1913. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division. Photograph shows suffrage and labor activist Flora Dodge “Fola” La Follette (1882-1970), social reformer and missionary Rose Livingston, and a young striker during a garment strike in New York City in 1913. 

Women’s History Month also has ties to Utah, as Senator Orrin Hatch and Representative Barbara Mikulski worked first to establish March 8th as the start of Women’s History Week, and that later transcended to the entire month.

In this video, former Legislative Aide Susan Scanlan discusses how this legislation came to be passed:

On a page dedicated to Utah’s Women’s History, you can read the story of how western suffragists Martha Hughes Cannon, Sarah M. Kimball, Emmeline B. Wells, and Zina D. H. Young, worked alongside Susan B. Anthony and Anna Howard Shaw to gain, and maintain, the right to vote. From this article we read:

In contrast to other parts of the nation, most Utahns supported a woman’s right to vote and hold office. Both national political parties in Utah–Democrat and Republican–supported these rights in their party platforms, and women’s suffrage organizations throughout the territory lobbied delegates to include these rights in Utah’s constitution. Despite minor opposition, the delegates voted to include a clause in the constitution that granted women’s suffrage and the right to hold office.”

The best part of women’s history is that it’s being made every day. It is so good to look back, and be proud of the many women who have helped shape our society (political figures and activists), and shape our lives (our mothers, our teachers and our role models). But it’s also crucial to build up and encourage our new generation of girls and young adults, as well. They will be the leaders, the voices and the forces of nature that influence the world events of tomorrow. We want them to know that they are supported, and that their decisions, perseverance and dedication to what they love are the ground work for so much good to come.

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One may judge a city by its coffee shops. We’re not talking about the Starbucks and Dunkin’s of the world. We’re focusing on the smaller chains and local treasures that reside there. Finding a good coffee shop is like finding the perfect home. Once you find it, you know it’s the one for you.

Here are a few favorites in Salt Lake City that you could try.

Coffee Garden

878 E. 900 S., Salt Lake City, UT

Coffee Garden has an industrial-contemporary style with hints of artistic flair.

It has a distinctly home-like feel, which is likely why it has been deemed the “neighborhood living room.” They have been in the same location for 27 years, and it is the oldest coffee house of their style in Salt Lake City.

“We taught Salt Lake City what good coffee is supposed to taste like,” said owner Alan Hebertson. This is likely why it is such a popular destination for the coffee lovers all around. It has a small, quiet section perfect for a client meeting or work session. It’s quite popular among students at the university as well as a spot to study.

Their most popular drinks are their espresso-based drinks. This author has to agree because their Americano was divine. Their baked goods are another large draw, as the majority are made in-house.

They do not host any events, preferring to make sure the shop is open to all. They frequently support local artists and donate to schools and other events in the 9th & 9th area.

Campos Coffee Roastery & Kitchen

228 S. Edison St., Salt Lake City, UT

Campos Coffee Roastery & Kitchen is an Australian-born shop, with an open and bright modern-industrial feel. The large windows, skylights, and plant life create a lively and enlightening atmosphere for any client meeting, work session, or meeting with friends.

Hillary Merill, Operations Manager let us know about the large, specially-created front windows that can be opened for the optimal indoor/outdoor experience. The windows were designed and built by a company that makes airline hangers, significantly contributing to the industrial vibe.

Campos is a major coffee chain in Australia, but is currently in start-up mode in the U.S., with the only two locations, this one in Salt Lake, and the other in Park City.

Cappuccinos and other espresso-based drinks are also the most popular here due to the specific training that baristas receive on how to make the perfect cup. Another  popular drink is the Australian Iced coffee, which is an Iced coffee made with gelato and whipped cream. They also feature many single origin single pours from limited release coffee beans.

Community events like public cuppings, summer BBQs and more are on their way, so you will want to keep up with them on social media to make sure you know as soon as these events get underway.

Sugar House Coffee

2011 S. 1100 E., Salt Lake City, UT

Sugar House Coffee is a hip and artsy space in the heart of Sugar House.

This shop makes our go-to list because of the warm and inviting atmosphere. Art and inspirational quotes line the walls, and the space is nearly always full of an exceedingly diverse group of people, from students to yoga enthusiasts and businesspeople.

Emily Potts, the general manager of Sugar House Coffee considers the place “the ‘Cheers’ of coffee shops,” as they aim to make everyone feel warm and comfortable. The mission of the coffee shop is to “[provide] the community with a public gathering space where everyone is safe to share their story.”

They succeed in bringing the community together by being a part of the Sugar House Art Walk, hosting live jazz music nights twice per month, a monthly book club, and a monthly open mic.

Why not try a warm and inviting drink like the Karmel Sutra, a white caramel mocha, as it is their most popular drink, and pair it with one of their food options. Food options include many vegan and gluten-free selections using products from other local businesses wherever possible.

Three Pines Coffee

165 S. Main St, Salt Lake City, UT

Three Pines Coffee is an ultra-small coffee shop with a retro vibe. It is ideally located on Main Street and is perfect for a pick-me-up when strolling the heart of downtown SLC.

Once inside, you are immediately drawn by their neon signage, vintage coffee machine and shelves full of vinyl.  Look closely and you will spot the record player.

The shop is less than 500 sq. ft. and  only seats about 13 people, creating an intimate coffee experience for those who decide to drink in-house. The owners, Nick Price and Meg Frampton say that the small size “allows us to really focus on the essentials,” like their coffee.

Their drip coffee is generally their most popular, with an espresso with milk following close behind. They like to “keep things simple, pure, and straightforward …  [They] put a lot of time into achieving the optimum extraction and … best possible balance in flavor.” As the weather warms up, the most served beverage becomes their house-made cold brew.

Other local ingredients include locally-sourced whole milk, house-made almond milk, and house-made vanilla syrup.

The Rose Establishment

235 S. 400 W., Salt Lake City, UT

The Rose Establishment is another modern-industrial chic location just outside the Gateway in downtown SLC.

This shop has a small, yet inviting atmosphere, bringing modern touches to a building with a deep history. The space originated as a meat packing plant, and had a lot of lives since then, serving as a restaurant, plant shop, and even a personal residence before it’s current reincarnation.

Shaylee Syme, General Manager of The Rose Establishment says that their lattes and house-made signature drinks, as well as old-school standards (like a London Fog) with Rose Establishment twists make up some of the most popular drinks.

Their high quality coffee and food are some of the greatest draws.

The Rose Establishment will be starting up a gallery stroll in the next few months, and will be hosting other community events such as wine evenings. They are also available for private events. You could even host your wedding there!

Sugar Bean – Honorable Mention

1240 E. 2100 S. Suite 150, Salt Lake City, UT

Sugar Bean Coffee gets an honorable mention as Windermere Utah’s favorite in-building coffee shop. Sugar bean is located in the Redman building in Sugar House, sharing a home office with both Windermere Real Estate and Windermere Commercial Real Estate. When you come in for a cup, stop by to visit with our agents or say hi to our friendly staff.

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If you’ll be working remotely in the future, or you just need a space that’s all your own to be able to handle bills, passion projects or just need a place for the kids to do their homework and focus, these elements will all work together to create a space that is attractive and functional.

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Choosing less space often has to do with a desire to live a life that’s simpler. Whether you’re retiring, want an eco-friendly, low-maintenance lifestyle or your children have moved away, downsizing might be the best option for you. Here are the advantages and disadvantages to consider before making the move and questions to begin asking yourself now.

The following analysis of select counties of the Utah real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

Utah’s non-agricultural employment growth continues to impress. The addition of 49,500 jobs over the past 12 months represents a solid growth rate of 2.8%. We did see some fairly modest slowing in employment gains earlier in the year, but this appears to have been reversed. My current forecast is for the state to continue to grow its job base, though I anticipate modest slowing in the number of new jobs. With around 41,700 new positions added, we will see employment grow 2.6% in 2020. In November, the state unemployment rate was 2.4%, down from 3.2% a year ago.

HOME SALES

• 8,768 homes sold in the final quarter of 2019, representing a solid increase of 7% compared to the same period in 2018, but 17% fewer homes traded hands compared to the third quarter of 2019.
• Total sales activity rose in all but the very small Morgan County. Year-over-year, sales rose by double digits in three counties, with impressive increases in Wasatch, Summit, and Utah counties.
• The number of homes for sale in the final quarter of the year was 14.4% lower than in the same period a year ago and 21.3% lower than the third quarter of 2019. Regular readers may remember that listing activity had been rising, but I am afraid those days are behind us.
• Pending sales in the fourth quarter were up 10.7% compared to a year ago but were 24.3% lower than in the third quarter, suggesting that closings in the first quarter of 2020 may drop from current levels.

HOME PRICES

• The average home price in the region continued to rise in the fourth quarter, with a year-over-year increase of 9.5% to an average of $403,186. Home prices were 0.4% higher than in the third quarter of 2019.
• All counties contained in this report saw price increases compared to the same period a year ago, with impressive gains across the board.
• Appreciation was strongest in Wasatch County, where prices were up 11.7% to $681,300.
• Home prices continue to appreciate at significant rates. I hope to see some slowing in price growth as we move through 2020, but this will only happen if the supply of homes for sale grows significantly.

DAYS ON MARKET

• The average number of days it took to sell a home in the counties covered by this report rose four days compared to a year ago.
• Matching the third quarter, homes sold fastest in Davis, Salt Lake, and Weber counties, and slowest in the expensive Summit County. All counties except Summit saw days-on-market rise compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.
• During the fourth quarter of the year, it took an average of 57 days to sell a home in the region, up from 45 days in third quarter.
• The modest increase in market time is not a concern as there still appears to be significant demand for housing.

CONCLUSIONS

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

For the final quarter of 2019, I have moved the needle just a little more in favor of sellers. Inventory levels remain low, even in the face of modestly increasing market time. Prices and closed sales are higher, and these things certainly favor sellers.

ABOUT MATTHEW GARDNER

As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

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