Yumz in South Salt Lake closes, a chocolate shop opens, and other restaurant openings and closings

Yumz location in South Salt Lake closes

Vegan restaurant Yumz in South Salt Lake closed on Nov. 4, but fans of their food can still get plant-based sweets and some savory items at their second location, Dulce de Yumz, in West Jordan.

“We just want to say thank you for everything that y’all have done for us for all these years,” owner Cecilia Armenta said in a video posted on Facebook. “We’re just putting a pause on Yumz right now.”

Armenta told The Salt Lake Tribune that she had to close the South Salt Lake location as she receives and pays for medical treatment.

Dulce de Yumz — at 8989 S. Redwood Road in West Jordan — doesn’t have a full-fledged kitchen yet, but select savory items such as Hawaiian mixed plates, Mexican plates, savory puff pastries, arempas, empanadas, nachos and street tacos are still available until then. Armenta does plan to get a full kitchen going at Dulce de Yumz as soon as she can, so they can serve their full menu, she said.

Dulce de Yumz also sells boba tea, ice cream, cakes, candy bars, cookies, cinnamon rolls and doughnuts, all vegan.

As for the former Yumz space in South Salt Lake, Armenta said they found another business to take over their lease, but it isn’t a vegan business, and it isn’t associated with Yumz.

For updates, follow @yumzz_z on Instagram.

Chez Nibs opens

Local chef Romina Rasmussen has returned to the world of sweets with her new chocolate shop, Chez Nibs, named for her dearly departed feline friend, Nibs.

Chez Nibs is located at 212 E. 500 South, Suite A, a couple of doors down from Xiao Bao Bao, Rasmussen’s Chinese bao shop. On the menu are kouign amann, chocolate snacks and cookies, as well as bonbons in indulgent flavors like coffee-cardamom, black sesame, Tahitian vanilla caramel ganache, raspberry and whiskey-pecan, made with whiskey from Sugar House Distillery. To go with the sweets, the shop also sells hot drinks, including tea, espresso and hot chocolate.

On Saturday mornings, Chez Nibs will have a croissant and pain au chocolate available to order, as well as a third breakfast pastry on a rotating basis, Rasmussen said.

Chez Nibs held its soft opening about a week ago. This week, hours of operation are from noon to 4 p.m. through Saturday. Next week, hours will be extended to noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. For updates and more information, follow @cheznibs on Instagram.

Two Woodbine food sellers close

After just over a year of serving up “sandwiches for your problems,” Deadpan Sandwich will be closing on Saturday, Nov. 11. The popular sandwich shop in the Woodbine Food Hall in Salt Lake City’s Granary District announced its departure on Instagram on Oct. 30.

“We want to thank all of our customers and the community for the love and support you’ve shown us over the last year and a half,” the Instagram post read. “We hope to see you soon.” Deadpan Sandwich received numerous comments on the post from people expressing their support, as well as sadness that the shop was closing.

Deadpan Sandwich opened in August 2022. The shop made a local name for itself with sandwiches like the Grilled Kimcheese, the Italian beef, the falafel and the Big Tuna. If you want to grab a sandwich before Deadpan closes, the shop is inside Woodbine at 545 W. 700 South.

Vegan burger joint Vuture Food in Woodbine has already closed; its last day in business was Nov. 3. The day before, the business announced the closure on Facebook, saying, “We just couldn’t maintain our overhead. We are hoping to have a food truck up and running for SLC early next year. Thank you all for such a wonderful experience.”

More restaurant openings

Chipotle, 661 E. 450 North, Vineyard.

Chipotle, 1560 E. Grapevine Crossing Road North, Washington City.

Chipotle, 138 N. 1100 West, Farmington.

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, 487 E. 12300 South, Suite B, Draper.

Wow Bao, in the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Coming soon

These establishments are going to be opening soon, according to their applications with the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services. Stay tuned for more details about these businesses.

STK Steakhouse in Salt Lake City • projected opening date Nov. 30.

Etta Place Cider in Torrey • projected opening date Nov. 30.

El Moab Hotel in Moab • projected opening date Nov. 30.

Neptune’s Palace in Salt Lake City • projected opening date Nov. 30.

Marquis in Park City • projected opening in November 2023.

Scelto in Salt Lake City • projected opening date Dec. 1.

Bartolo’s in Farmington • projected opening date Dec. 5.

Piko Mexican Grill in Salt Lake City • projected opening date Dec. 15.

Aker Restaurant and Lounge in Salt Lake City • projected opening date Dec. 28.

Root’d Cafe in Riverton • projected opening date Dec. 30.

Tip Top Club in Salt Lake City • projected opening date Jan. 1.

Repeal in Salt Lake City • projected opening in January 2024.

Thieves Guild Cidery • projected opening in January 2024.