St. George City WANTS YOU TO DECIDE! What Should Go Here?
Trader Joe's. Cheesecake Factory. Raising Canes. NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!
What would you LOVE to have here in St. George? The empty lot on the corner of St. George Boulevard and 100 West is BIG and READY for something the citizens of St. George are dying to have. Wednesday, the city announced that it would put out a "Request for Qualifications" on the lot. The vacant lot is 3.6 acres and is where the old Inn at St. George Motel sat for YEARS! The property was purchased by the city of St. George in 2016 for $1.6 million.
The site's location is ABSOLUTELY KILLER! Will it be another hotel? Another car wash? Another Maverik? You decide! The submission deadline is October 20, 2023.
St. George Restaurants That Could EASILY Be A National Franchise!
Southern Utah is home to some AMAZING restaurants, and here's a list of some that I think could become the next BIG franchise!
1. Sakura:
Yes, hibachi restaurants already exist everywhere, but SAKURA has to be the best! Here in St. George, they ALWAYS have huge wait times. And for good reason! The food is awesome and the experience is fun! Bring Sakura across the nation! It deserves it!
2. Angelica's Mexican Grill:
Angelicas USED TO BE Irmita's.. Which gets confusing because Irmita has opened "Irmita's" again... But trust me! Angelica's is SO GOOD! There's usually a line out the door! I LOVE their steak street tacos! Their sweet carnitas are also a hit with everyone. But they also have their Salsa Bar which compliments their food nicely. I still wish my favorite wasn't named "Wimpy Mild", but whatever. I'll take it! Let's franchise this place!
3. Durango's:
Yes, it's a knock-off of Cafe Rio, but I think it's better! I prefer Durango's over Cafe Rio and Cafe Rio's little brother: Costa Vida. Durangos quesadillas are superior, AND CHEAPER! Plus... They have a FANTASTIC Chicken Tortilla Soup! If you haven't tried it yet, go for it! I love me some Durangs!
4. Bishop's:
If you're into a mom & pop diner, look no further! BISHOP'S! When I was a kid it was a little Hole-In-The-Wall Diner, and my uncle would take me there on my birthday! I started going there again, as there's now two locations (in much cleaner locations) on both sides of town. I only get breakfast when I go there, but TRY THEIR SCONES! You'll be in heaven!
5. Farmstead Bakery:
People in this town go straight BANANAS for Farmstead! If you've had their food, you'd understand why! It's fresh and made daily, plus HEALTHY! Here's a little secret... Word on the street is they MAY franchise Farmstead. Which is a HUGE WIN for this St. George bakery!
What LOCAL RESTAURANT do you think could be a BIG FRANCHISE?
76 Years Later: Amazing Old Photos Of Dixie Sun Bowl Construction!
This month, the Dixie Sun Bowl celebrates it's 76th birthday! SEVENTY SIX YEARS and still around. There was a time, a few years ago where the city wanted to demolish the Dixie Sun Bowl, and move the rodeo to the Fair Grounds in Hurricane! Luckily, that NEVER happened. The story behind how the Dixie Sun Bowl was created is AWESOME!
In the 1940's before World War II, the rodeo was happening down the street, but the venue wasn't permanent. They started searching for the perfect spot. However, the war hit, the men left and the idea was put on hold. Finally, the war was over, and the men returned home! One day, Neal Lundberg and Ez McArthur were out riding their horses, when they ran into St. George Mayor, Eric Snow. Snow pointed out a location that the city owned and encouraged Lundberg and McArthur to talk to the city council about the land. That land is now... THE DIXIE SUN BOWL!
Lions Club members were asked to each donate $100 to the cause. That $100 is the equivalent of $1,300 now! That's a big ask. 42 Lions pulled out their wallets and donated the $100, while 130 non-members donated AT LEAST $100 to the cause. The Lions Club got creative with fundraising and even started selling raffle tickets to win CARS! One car was a new 1947 Plymouth. That Plymouth was won by Sheriff Antone Prince.
Local people started donating their time, their work, even their equipment to bring this venue together. It was a true community effort. In January of 1947, construction began, and by September it was complete and ready for the Dixie Round-Up Rodeo! Now, the venue needed a name. The Newspaper put out a contest to name the new venue. Bobby Laub of Santa Clara submitted "The Dixie Sunbowl" and won the cash prize: $15. The project cost around $35,000, which would now cost around $10,000,000!
WHOA: 40 Images Of St. George That Will Make You Feel SO OLD!
THEN (3000 East):
NOW (Lin's - 3000 East):
THEN (Little Valley):
NOW (Little Valley):
THEN (Red Hills Parkway):
NOW (Red Hills Parkway To Red Cliffs Mall):
THEN (Red Cliffs Drive):
NOW (Underpass to Red Cliffs Mall - Red Cliffs Drive):
THEN 100 South):
NOW (100 South):
THEN (Riverside Drive):
NOW (Culver's - Riverside Drive):
THEN (George Washington Boulevard):
NOW (Red Cliffs Temple - George Washington Boulevard):
THEN (Hansen Stadium - University Ave.):
NOW (Trailblazer Stadium - University Ave.):
THEN (Hansen Stadium - 800 East):
NOW (Trailblazer Stadium - 800 East):
THEN (Trailblazer BLVD):
NOW (Trailblazer Boulevard):
THEN (Elk's Field - 100 South):
NOW (Legacy Elementary - 100 East):
THEN (River Road & 1450 South):
NOW (Maverik - River Road & 1450 South):
THEN (Mall Drive):
NOW (Smith's Marketplace at Dino Crossing, Mall Drive):
THEN (Pioneer Parkway):
NOW (Cafe Rio & Harmon's on Pioneer Parkway):
THEN (Tech Ridge Drive):
NOW (Dixie Tech, Tech Ridge Drive):
THEN (Black Ridge Drive):
NOW (Chick-Fil-A Black Ridge Drive):
THEN (Main Street & St. George BLVD):
NOW (Main Street & St. George BLVD):
THEN (Red Rock Commons):
NOW (Red Rock Commons):
THEN (Red Rock Commons):
NOW (Red Rock Commons):
THEN (Sullivan Park):
NOW (Sullivan Park):
THEN (Godfather's Pizza):
NOW (Cafe Sabor):