The concept was born out of the pandemic, said Tali Bruce. The couple — who also own several ‘Bout Time Pub and Grub eateries — planned to open more sit-down restaurants under the Robintino’s name in 2020.
But takeout and delivery took off at the Bountiful location during COVID-19, and the couple reworked those plans. They bought three Red Hanger dry cleaning shops, in Murray, Sugar House and Holladay, that had shut down after more people started working from home.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Tali, Baron, and William Bruce interact with a customer at the new Murray location of Robintino's on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. Robintino's Restaurant is expanding and has taken over the old Red Hanger dry cleaners in Murray, Sugar House and Cottonwood Heights where to-go only shops for their pizza and Italian food are opening.
They remodeled the Murray location first, adding a full kitchen and keeping the built-in portico outside to keep customers and employees covered. “There’s a little bit of space in each store,” Bruce said, “if we want to add a handful of tables down the road.”
Who will be the new alcohol boss?
The three choices include the current deputy director, a former prosecutor and a woman with bipartisan political experience.
The names of the three nominees have been forwarded to Gov.-elect Spencer Cox for consideration. His selection will have to be confirmed by the Utah Senate.
Under state law, the state liquor commission selects the three candidates for consideration. They include:
End of an era at flour mill
When Sherm Robinson officially retires as general manager of Lehi Mills next week, it will mark the end of an era for one of Utah’s oldest food companies.
Robinson, whose grandfather acquired the mill in 1910, has worked for more than half a century at the family-owned company and has been general manager since 1980, when he took over from his father.
On Dec. 31, Robinson will pass the torch to chief operating officer Brock Knight, the company said in a news release. Knight has worked for Lehi Mills for two decades and was trained by Robinson.
Looking back on his family’s milling legacy, Robinson offered these words: “If you keep working at it, things work out.”
Ritual opens chocolate cafe
The owners of Ritual Chocolate have opened a new 12,000-square-food production facility outside of Park City that includes a cafe and test kitchen for classes, tastings and events.
Located in the same building as Pink Elephant Coffee Roasters and June Pies, at 2175 W. 3000 South, in Charleston in Wasatch County, the Ritual cafe is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The cafe menu includes quiche from June Pies, paninis made with Hawk & Sparrow bread and sweet treats from Suss cookies. There will be coffee and espresso and tastings of Ritual’s signature chocolate.
“We hope that this will truly become a hub for food, drink and chocolate education,” co-owner and founder Robbie Stout said in a news release. “It is a bigger and brighter space that gives us room to grow.”
Dining yurts at Deer Valley
St. Regis Deer Valley opened its new yurt dining village this week. The three round structures have mahogany lattice work, a plexiglass dome, windows, radiant heat and rustic seating.
Each yurt seats up to eight people and is named after the Olympic events held at Deer Valley during the 2002 Winter Games: Slalom, Moguls and Aerials.
