another stupid Utah question

[beefche]

I took my mom to a Mexican restaurant, which is on the bad side of the tracks in Salt Lake. My Utah mom was a bit leery of the neighborhood, but honestly, it's just like home to an Angelino.

Red Iguana is in the bad part of SLC? I've been there and I didn't feel it was a bad neighborhood.

[Dravin]

Same with the Church History Museum store!

But they are keeping an even greater opportunity, from their perspective, keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. I suppose one can disagree with their interpretation of that particular commandment but , "You can make more money!" is unlikely to be convincing and it would be disappointing if it were.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Dravin

[Iggy]

Another thing I remember is the prevalence of case lot sales, they certainly aren't a Utah only thing but they seemed a lot more prevalent in Utah where stores like Smiths (not so much Walmart) would hold them semi-regularly (as in a few times a year).

I live on the central Oregon coast and have for a total of 29 years. The stores here, with the exceptions of Walmart and Fred Meyer, have always had case lot sales. Always for the entire month of October.

I grew up in Seattle - not a single store there ever did that. My siblings still live in and around Seattle, and not one store there has case lot sales.

When my Mother lived in South Dakota from 1971 to 1982, the local Piggly Wiggly in Hot Springs SD and in Chadron, NE had case lot sales.

So it is not a Utah thing. Neither is food in #10 cans, or as my family called it "Industrial Sizes". Ketchup in gallon containers, flour in 100# cloth bags, tp by the case, canned vegetables in #10 cans. Powdered milk in huge boxes, and not the puny sized ones that are in the stores now.

When the Prairie Market store opened up in Ballard (community within Seattle) my parents were among the first to join. You could purchase items by the each, or 1/2 case or full case. If you purchased by the each, you had to mark the price on the item with a grease pencil. You boxed your own groceries, and used a flat-bed type of cart. Same as Cash & Carry aka Smart & Final. Oh, my family was NOT LDS.

It wasn't until the late 60's that stores in Seattle stayed open on Sundays. Couldn't buy fresh meat or fish, but everything else was available. Also the state run liquor store closed on Sundays. Coudn't buy alcohol in any form any day of the week in grocery stores.

What shocked and disappointed me the most was when LDS owned restaurants & stores sold alcohol and cigarettes any day of the week. AND were open on Sundays.

[Dravin]

So it is not a Utah thing.

Inasmuch as it is not an Utah exclusive thing, it's certainly a thing that happens in Utah.

[pam]

City Creek needs to make an exception on General Conference weekend. I'm from a city with no LDS bookstores. So when I was at Salt Lake this weekend, I dropped serious cash in Deseret on Friday AND Saturday. I was ready to spend even more there on Sunday. They're missing out on a great opportunity to make more money and provide members visiting for Conference the blessings of an LDS book store.

Same with the Church History Museum store!

I was ready to buy A LOT! Mostly for my non-LDS family and friends lol

Why would the church do such a thing when they teach observing the Sabbath Day? That makes no sense whatsoever. Wouldn't that make the church extremely hypocritical?

And it would be depriving people of watching conference on Sunday. Isn't that what General Conference weekend is all about?

Edited October 7, 2013 by pam

[Traveler]

Are most stores closed on Sunday? What about during GC? I would think it would be hard to get enough people to work on Sunday, but I could be wrong. Are stores open until 9 on Monday nights?

If I moved to Utah, what would people say would be the thing I would notice first (besides the scenery)?

I am surprised that the mountains are not included - or that they are considered scenery. Bicycling in Utah is as good as you will find it. The road ride up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Alta is a category 1 climb comparable to any category 1 on the Tour de France. There are several shorter rides that include 13% grades on average for a half a mile or more. Mountain biking is some of the best in the country and within 10 to 15 minutes from metropolitan centers. Outdoor activity is fantastic and includes all the 4 seasons - which BTW come 6 or 7 times a year.

The thermals at the point of the mountain are ideal for hang gliding and the Heber - Park City area is ideal for gliding and ballooning. Hunting and fishing in Utah is as good as you will find except in wilderness areas. The canyons along the Wasatch front offer a wide variety of hiking and backpacking trails with absolutely spectacular views. Close to down town Salt Lake City is a fun and easy hike to the spiritually significant Ensign Peek.

And for urban cuisine culture - do not forget fry sauce, cheesy potatoes (funeral potatoes), jello salad and Utah sweet corn on the cob. Also Utah has great fruit in various seasons.

And yes the snow is the greatest on earth.

The Traveler

[andypg]

But they are keeping an even greater opportunity, from their perspective, keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. I suppose one can disagree with their interpretation of that particular commandment but , "You can make more money!" is unlikely to be convincing and it would be disappointing if it were.

How about, for many this will be the only time they can have the benefit of having an LDS store nearby? I don't plan on going back to Utah anytime soon...oh well, deseret.com from now on.

though I do get where they are coming from. The Catholic bookstore I grew up with was closed on Sundays. Still kinda annoyed me but I understand.

just would have thought with conference they would keep it open this one Sunday every six months.

[classylady]

So, do LDS who go to the store on Sunday have to drive out of their ward so they won't be recognized? : )

Here in Utah the next ward may be just across the street from where you live.

I know that many of my friends will purposefully shop at the local grocery store that closes on Sunday to give that particular store their financial support. It's appreciated by many in our community that our local store closes on Sunday.

[pam]

How about, for many this will be the only time they can have the benefit of having an LDS store nearby? I don't plan on going back to Utah anytime soon...oh well, deseret.com from now on.

though I do get where they are coming from. The Catholic bookstore I grew up with was closed on Sundays. Still kinda annoyed me but I understand.

just would have thought with conference they would keep it open this one Sunday every six months.

We are to keep the Sabbath Day holy. There is nothing that says "except for Conference Weekend."

Conference weekend is to be uplifting and for the edification of its members. Not a weekend to make money. People should be watching conference. Not out shopping.

Edited October 7, 2013 by pam

[Dravin]

How about, for many this will be the only time they can have the benefit of having an LDS store nearby?

Considering the Church counsels to avoid shopping on Sundays and to avoid working, and making others work, if at all possible, I doubt they'll find that a convincing reason. It's certainly a better argument than a pecuniary one though. Also, on a personal level, I find the benefit of having an LDS bookstore nearby to be rather minimal.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Dravin

[Vort]

Considering the Church counsels to avoid shopping on Sundays and to avoid working, and making others work, if at all possible I doubt they'll find that a convincing reason. It's certainly a better argument than a pecuniary one though.

The Church provides virtually everything it offers for purchase over the internet at a good price, so this should be mostly a non-starter. Agreed that a store is more convenient, but the Church simply is not going to keep a store open on Sunday for that reason.

[bytebear]

Red Iguana is in the bad part of SLC? I've been there and I didn't feel it was a bad neighborhood.

I didn't either, but my mom did. :)

[Dravin]

The Church provides virtually everything it offers for purchase over the internet at a good price, so this should be mostly a non-starter.

That is why I feel the benefit is minimal, many things can be easily obtained online, in the case of things like scriptures or MoTab CDs with free shipping from the distribution center. And in the case of your standard Seagull Books/Deseret Books kistch it isn't a travesty to do without even if you couldn't get it online.

[pam]

Red Iguana is in the bad part of SLC? I've been there and I didn't feel it was a bad neighborhood.

It is actually considered one of the more unsafe areas. I never felt that because growing up in San Diego it's mild compared to some areas there.