For Your Valentine: Honeymoon Sweets Honeymoon Sweets opened in 1996 and is celebrating 25 years of business in 2021. The popular Tempe bakery is owned by husband-and-wife bakers Tim and Joan O’Connor, who met at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. After working on the East Coast, they moved to Arizona, raised […]

Local First: Experience Nutrition Melanie Albert was inspired by her mother to dedicate her life to healthy eating, which led to her business, Experience Nutrition, in 2010. “I first became interested in nutrition and the power of food more than 25 years ago when my mom, who is now 91, was diagnosed with breast cancer,” […]

The holiday season is an excellent time to support local businesses and buy unique gifts for colleagues, family and friends. Here are some ideas from Local First Arizona members. See Salt seesalttaste.com Founded by a mother and daughter in 2013, See Salt offers organic finishing salt in several flavors with French fleur de sel as […]

Local First: Phoenix City Grille 5816 N. 16th St. |  Phoenix Since Phoenix City Grille opened in 1997, Sheldon Knapp, who owns the restaurant with his wife, has seen the local culinary scene flourish. “There is so much more creativity and talent in Phoenix than ever before,” he said. “There is also an emphasis on […]

CHASE’S DINER 2040 N. Alma School Road | Chandler New Yorkers Nancy and Skip Chase opened Chase’s Diner in Chandler in 1997. “Back in New York, I’d spend time riding my motorcycle from small town to small town, and everywhere I stopped would be mom-and-pop restaurants. When we moved to Chandler we decided to open […]

Andre House partners with local restaurants to serve guests From small businesses to healthcare workers to families, the coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted all of our lives. One of the most affected groups is nonprofits, especially those that provide meals and services to people in need and rely heavily on donations and volunteers.      Since […]

The Parlor [Local First Spotlight] 1916 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix “We opened in the midst of the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression,” said owner Aric Mei, who opened The Parlor in May 2009. “We knew that the only way we would survive was if we put an extraordinary focus on value. That strategy […]

Tracy Dempsey Originals [Local First Spotlight] 1325 W. University Drive, Tempe Tracy Dempsey is well-known for providing sensational sweet and savory desserts to several Valley restaurants. Her packaged confections are found at shops, resorts and wine-tasting rooms around the state. A graduate of Scottsdale Community College’s culinary program, Dempsey embraces local ingredients and supports local […]

Food for Thought Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale [Local First Spotlight] From grapes grown in Willcox and the Verde Valley to fresh ingredients in its restaurants, Merkin Vineyards is committed to local flavors and suppliers. “As a local producer ourselves, we give the support to others that we would like to receive,” said Jim Cunningham, […]

Kitchen Doors Festive Feasts CENTURY GRAND Phoenix, centurygrandphx.com Century Grand is the latest concept from Barter & Shake, the award-winning team behind UnderTow, the pirate ship and tiki bar-inspired cocktail lounge. After much anticipation, Century Grand officially opened to the public in November, offering guests two experiences through Century Grand and Platform 18. In both […]