Kestrel Liedtke is a new member of Salt Lake City’s Business Advisory Board. She represents Council District 1.
She owns Tin Angel with husband Jerry Liedtke. Since opening its doors in 2007, Tin Angel has grown to become a favorite destination for high end cuisine, wines and cocktails.
Kestrel has experienced firsthand what it is like to open a business in a transitional neighborhood, taking a risk on the Pioneer Park area. She recalls, “The building we were renovating was very run down and had a sketchy history as did most of the area. Our friends and family told us we were crazy for thinking of putting our time and energy into the area. They all encouraged us to focus on a different neighborhood. But the argument we kept coming back to was that we wanted to be rooted in local food. We would never have even considered our current location if the Downtown Farmers Market had not been across the street.”
Since then, the neighborhood has grown and their business has thrived. Efforts to provide quality, flavor and local ingredients have not gone unnoticed – the Liedtkes have received Salt Lake Magazine’s Dining Award, including Best Restaurant in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Thank you Kestrel for bringing your experience to Salt Lake City’s business community!
Q&A with Kestrel Liedtke
| What are you excited about in District 1? | There is a plan on the drawing board to build on the success of the downtown farmer’s market in this neighborhood by creating a year round, every day Public Market which would give local vendors a chance to set up shop in a large central location. This is exciting to me as an ardent supporter of the growing local food movement. It would also serve as an incubator fostering small or beginning entrepreneurs. |
| What changes would you like to see happen in District 1? | I like the direction we are headed and the focus on making district one a destination for local business. The focus on local business creates color in the downtown area which spurs larger growth as it makes our city more appealing to outside, larger businesses who might consider settling here. |
| What is your favorite “Third Place” to hang out in the District 1 neighborhood? | Farmers Market in the Summer, Winter Market at Rio Grande in the winter! |
| What do small businesses in Salt Lake City need more help with? | Small businesses in SLC need more representation in the legislature. Our needs are often overlooked by state representatives focusing on larger Utah issues. An example would be the many crazy twists and turns our state liquor laws have been through in recent years which strongly affect downtown business by creating the perception that SLC is unwelcoming. |
| What is Salt Lake City doing right for business? | The focus on fostering diversity in our business community. |
| What is the first word or words that come to mind when you think of Salt Lake City? | Surprisingly colorful! |
| Anything else you would like to add? | Thank you to the Salt Lake food community for embracing our vision of local food for 11 years! . |
About the Business Advisory Board:
The Business Advisory Board (BAB) is made up of city business owners and community leaders who partner with Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development. Its members are appointed by the mayor and must be SLC residents and/or have ownership interest in a Salt Lake City business. BAB helps direct city economic policy, promotes small business growth, supports local entrepreneurs, and encourages businesses to relocate to our city.
As part of an ongoing effort to keep SLC’s business community in the loop, the BAB shares synopses of monthly meetings on the Salt Lake City Economic Development’s blog page. Recordings are available to the public as well.