But big changes loom on the horizon: east-west transit options, a park and trail and a new development that would replace some of the area's unique attractions.

Tuesday night, the Salt Lake City Council met the public at Nibley Park Elementary to discuss the changing face of Sugar House.

"I'm planning to settle here with my wife. You can't find a community like this anywhere else," Ben Trentelman told the council, warning that chain stores could move in and make Sugar House commonplace.

Trentelman was one of about 130 residents who packed the school's auditorium. Of the 20 who approached the microphone, one common plea surfaced: Don't make Sugar House just like everywhere else.

"Sugar House is at a crossroads," said Mark St. Andre, a resident of eight years. "It's about to be demolished and, along with the historic buildings that will be destroyed, we can never get back that intangible sense of belonging we all have. The last thing Utah needs is another way we can be homogenous."

St. Andre referred to development plans to remake the colorful block bordered by 2100 South, Highland Drive, Sugarmont Drive and McClelland Street. Several homegrown businesses received eviction notices earlier this month, a sign that the old Granite Furniture building and its neighbors could soon meet the wrecking ball. A mix of condominiums, storefronts and offices in buildings that could reach seven to eight stories high could take their place.

Westminster College student Sarah Johnson made a plea for the small business owners who are being pushed out to make way for upscale development and national chains that can afford the rent.

"This is a locally important area," Johnson said. "In America we respect capitalism but we don't respect monopolies. When I see these businesses being shut down, I see a gateway for monopolies to grow."

Matt Monson, who has lived in Sugar House for four years and is opening a business downtown, echoed these sentiments.

"In Utah in general, community constantly loses the battle to capitalism," Monson said. "I understand the right to succeed and make a dollar, but what we have here is worth more than the money that can be made with another stucco strip mall."

Councilman Soren Simonsen, an architect and urban planner by profession, represents Sugar House and recently met with several of the area's small-business owners.

"About 60 businesses on the Granite block will need to relocate," Simonsen said. "The potential impact from that is hard to put a finger on."

Sorensen said he organized a task force to explore low-interest loans and other programs to keep the small businesses afloat. He also hopes to compile a set of historic preservation tools to safe guard the community's unique character. cmckitrick@sltrib.com