This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Conferencegoers still will find the staples near Temple Square: Deseret Book, the Family History Library and, of course, Crown Burgers.
But this weekend, the faithful will also follow a creek — a City Creek. And what a revelation it is.
Accustomed to cranes and construction for years, Mormons trekking downtown won't recognize their Zion. Those gaping holes and that apocalyptic scene are gone, replaced by a splashy, 700,000-square-foot, open-air shoppers' paradise.
Yes, the LDS Church's $2 billion City Creek Center is open. And it is eager to show off the goods — from shops regaling New York's Fifth Avenue to water features reminiscent of the Las Vegas Strip.
In between testimonials, conference attendees will find near-sinful temptations in every direction — between Tiffany diamonds, Porsche watches, Gucci boutiques, Godiva chocolates and a Cheesecake Factory.
And don't forget to "Transcend" with that fountain's spectacular water ballet — set to fire twice as often as normal, or every 30 minutes, to entertain the 100,000 Mormon conferencegoers checking out the mall.
"It's kind of an encore," City Creek spokesman Dee Brewer says about the crowds anticipated for conference weekend. "We'll have a lot of the things in place for this weekend that we'll have for opening weekend, knowing that there will be a lot of regional and international visitors. The crowds will come in waves adjacent to those conference times, but we're very excited."
Besides perusing Michael Kors, Swarovski, Steve Madden and Salomon, visitors will find showcase features and kid-friendly fun. There is a roomy play area in the food court adorned with soft-sculptured dinosaurs. And along the 1,200-foot namesake creek, patrons will find paw prints from native Utah animals. Colored cubes with information about the waterway will allow the curious to match up coyote, bear, mountain lion and duck feet with the animal bodies.
Brewer notes the outdoor gallerias will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday so people can walk through the 23-acre center to see the creek, carved stone, sculptures, retractable glass canopy and sky bridge. City Creek's retail shops are closed Sunday, as is the food court, but The Cheesecake Factory and Texas de Brazil Churrascaria will remain open.
Greeters will be at entry points, ready to arm shoppers with a directory. And that includes clothiers Hugo Boss, Brooks Brothers and BCBGMAXAZARIA as well as kid favorites like the Disney Store and 77kids by American Eagle.
"People are genuinely excited about the 20 new-to-market retailers," Brewer says, "that are new to downtown and new to Utah."
Deseret Book has a full schedule of entertainment, and many of the retailers are offering discounts or even gifts for opening in-store credit cards.
Thirty historical plaques are placed strategically across the two-block center, as are art pieces honoring the 2002 Winter Olympics, a four-sided outdoor fireplace and two 18-foot waterfalls.
An underground parking garage, free for the first hour, has 5,000 spaces and entry points from all four of City Creek's surrounding streets. Escalators lift people to the heart of the action, while big banks of restrooms, rentable wheelchairs, an airline flight monitor and free Wi-Fi all are built in. The pavers are even heated to melt any snow.
Another word about those fountains: The shooting streams of water are set to light and music — even fire in the evening — and one is designed for kids to run through. No word on whether the beach blankets and McDonald's bags, which regularly adorn the Gateway fountain, are encouraged.
What else is new downtown for conference regulars to explore?
"People should check out Harmons, definitely," says Jason Mathis, executive director of the Downtown Alliance. Across the street from City Creek on the northeast corner of 100 South and State Street, the modern, two-level, open-air market breaks the mold for Utah groceries. Picture fresh, ethnic-food counters, throwback soda fountains and a fireplace wrapped by bistro tables with a bird's-eye view.
Even before City Creek's March 22 grand opening, patches of downtown have seen a recession-defying renaissance of sorts. During the past three years, nearly 100 new businesses have opened their doors in the central business district, many on Main Street.
"Where it used to be desolate and sad," Mathis describes, "it's now happy and vibrant."
New boutiques and eateries are enlivening Main just south of City Creek, and there is even a new bookstore — Eborn Books — scheduled to take over Sam Weller's former storefront.
Just west of City Creek, the Salt Palace plays host to the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. And those windmills lining the convention center set off chimes in the Salt Palace tower when they blow. "A lot of people don't know about it," Mathis adds.
Finally, funky shopping options dotting Broadway, or 300 South, will greet any conferencegoer who wants a break from corporate brands.
"It's very Portlandia," Mathis jokes, "but in a good way."