This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

By Barbara Bruno

Last month, thousands of people celebrated the opening of City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake City. I watched the media coverage of the events and crowds with sadness.

The "front porch" of my beloved city is now a covered shopping mall with chain stores and restaurants. The "vibrant" downtown we were promised is a whitewashed, Disneyland-like environment that is closed on Sundays.

Adult beverages are only available in a couple of the chain restaurants. The dress and behavior code is set and enforced by a religious organization that is not in cultural alignment with many of our visitors from other states and countries.

I have traveled extensively during my 39-year career. I have visited each of the 50 states and most of the European countries. Most of my visits are to cities, often the capital cities in those locations. Whenever possible, I stay at a hotel in the center of the city, because that is where I find the true flavor of the city. I find suburban areas to be alarmingly alike — indoor malls with the same stores and restaurants alongside big-box stores.

Morning runs in the cities I visit are always interesting and unique. Sometimes those runs take me outside of my comfort zone into areas with odors and sights and sounds that frighten me a little. Sometimes they take me to unforeseen visual delights, such as cathedrals and parks. But always, they take me to the true heart and soul of that city.

Time will tell whether stores like Coach and Tiffany can survive here. I wish them the best. If they don't, I hope The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will consider allowing our front porch to become a vibrant urban area with local boutiques, coffee shops, pubs and outdoor dining.

Whether local residents want to shop, eat and drink or not, our number one industry is tourism. Let's treat our tourists like the adults they are. Even on Sunday.

Barbara Bruno is a Utah native, originally from Price, and has lived in Salt Lake City for all but seven years since 1972. She has an MBA from the University of Utah.