Salt Lake City: Livability in the 21st Century

Having worked in shops and boutiques throughout high school and college, by the time Utah native
Kyong An Millar opened her first Koo de Ker (French for being smitten or to have a crush) location
in Utah County in 2001, she was a retail veteran. So, ten years ago, when her life began to gravitate
toward Salt Lake City she knew immediately where to move her hip yet affordable fashion forward
boutique: Salt Lake City’s thriving 9th and 9th neighborhood. “I wanted to be somewhere close to
downtown but in an easily accessible, walkable neighborhood,” An Millar says. And though business
was a bit challenging during the last decade’s economic crisis, An Millar believes the downturn was
actually good for independent retailers. “It made people really think about their community and
where they spend their money. I don’t think it was any kind of coincidence that that was when the
Buy Local movement really took off in Salt Lake,” she says. With ample, easily accessible parking and
friendly, communal vibe, An Millar can not imagine operating Koo de Ker anywhere else. “We have a
great local following but also see a lot of visitors as well,” she says. “Getting out into neighborhoods
like 9th and 9th is a great way to see the true flavor of any town, but Salt Lake in particular.”
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