Trolley Square — Attraction in Salt Lake City

Recently, some dear friends of mine attempted to take some engagement photos here. Prior to coming, they performed their due diligence. They researched the website, they explored the area, they did everything in their power before showing up to make sure this would be a suitable place to take their engagement photos.

Nowhere, at any point, was it listed that photoshoots were not allowed. There were no signs, no mention of anything on their website. Any logical person would conclude, as my friends did, that a photoshoot would be not only acceptable; but also potentially encouraged, as it would give this venue free marketing and exposure.

But no, that would just make too much sense.

After a stressful day, my friends show up, intending to take their photos and leave. In and out, 30 minutes tops. Only a few minutes in and they found themselves bombarded by the security personnel who quickly ushered them out.

I could understand if it was a busy day. Perhaps they simply didn’t want the photoshoot to distract from the never ending barrage of potential customers.

The kicker though, there weren’t any. It was an overcast day with no one else in sight. No signs, no posts, no customers. Yet, a couple taking a few photos in preparation for the happiest day of their lives was somehow prohibited for reasons that not even the most creative of minds could come up with.

If you don’t want people to take photos, put signs up. Post it on your website. Make rules readily available and then enforce them. Don’t push people off your property without making the rules known first. It’s inconsiderate at best, pathetic business practice at worst. I might be reaching for the stars on this one but I’m sure even the laziest of owners can figure out how to put a sign up. I know, high bar.

So, in conclusion, if you’re planning engagement photos, cross this place off the list. Find a business who’s perhaps a bit more accommodating and save yourself the unnecessary hassle. Planning your wedding will be stressful enough without any of this unnecessary nonsense. Save yourself...

Trolley Square is like Salt Lake’s quirky cousin, equal parts historic, eclectic, and charmingly unpredictable. You don’t come here just to shop, you come here for the experience.

My wife and I love eating at Rodizio Grill, where they parade skewers of meat past your table until you either wave the white napkin of surrender or quietly calculate if you can get your money’s worth in grilled pineapple alone. Then there’s The Old Spaghetti Factory, which is like stepping into a time capsule of vintage décor and hearty pasta. Where else can you eat spaghetti in a room that looks like it was furnished by your great-aunt Mildred’s estate sale?

Shopping is where Trolley Square really flexes its personality. Weller Book Works is a two-story bookstore full of literary treasures and historical tomes, it’s the kind of place where you walk in for a paperback and leave feeling like you should run for Congress. Then there’s Tabula Rasa Social Stationers, a shrine to fine pens, bespoke paper, and elegant gifts. You may not have written a letter since middle school, but suddenly you’ll convince yourself you need Italian stationery and a fountain pen that costs more than your phone.

And let’s not forget Himalayan Artswear, where you can pick up unique clothing, incense, or maybe even find your spirit animal woven into a scarf. One minute you’re just browsing, the next you’re wondering if you should book a trip to Nepal.

All in all, Trolley Square is one of those places where you go in hungry, come out full, and somehow end up holding a bag with a candle shaped like a narwhal and a $40 notebook. It’s eclectic, it’s eccentric, and it’s easily one of my favorite spots...

In the 70's this place was always busy but now the 2nd floor is nearly a ghost town in shops and patrons. In my opinion it would help if the owners of Trolley Square would Have shops that complement each other, and are price ranged with a mixture of low, mid high end shops that acomidate a wider range of shopping dollars to be spent

Remove the Google Fiber shop. It take up a a huge location that only pays for a space and does not draw shoppers to a unique place to shop and have a return visits. This space would be better suited as a food court.

Have public restrooms near the main entrances, not hidden away in dark secluded hallways and REMOVE the coded keypad lock from the doors. Posting a sign for the patron to back track to a shop farther away to ask an employee for the door code is ludicrous. Yes, you are concerned about some sort of illusions of safety, but consider the patron embasment of having to ask permission to use it, or those in immediate need of a restroom. If there is a real safety issue, relocate both restrooms near the main/rear entrances with a open Customer Sevice/Security Desk staffed with employees to be there to answer questions and monitor the area. There is huge open area near the 2nd level walkway bridge that could be used for this. Same for the entrance that has the mock trolly display.

More parking. Build a multilevel parking garage in the empty lot next to the entrance of the 2nd level walkway over the street. Widen the walkway bridge to acomidate the increased foot traffic, and consider adding several...