Salt Lake City is about to get a taste of Eurasia, as the new eatery Plov & Borsch prepares to serve up Central Asian cuisine along with a side of cultural enrichment. Scheduled to open its doors in late summer at 55 North Redwood Rd., this culinary joint isn't just about satisfying hunger, it's about expanding the city's palate. The Salt Lake City Council recently greenlit a $100,000 loan from the Economic Development Loan Fund (EDLF) to support the venture, laying the groundwork for an establishment that promises to be as educational as it is appetizing.
"We want diverse businesses thriving right here in Salt Lake City, and our Economic Development Loan Fund is a tool to help them grow," said Mayor Erin Mendenhall, as obtained by Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, District 1 City Council Member, Victoria Petro, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the investment's role in spurring local economic growth. In addition to its full menu, Plov & Borsch will include a market component, aiming to provide specialty goods scarcely found in the area. Through the EDLF funding, the establishment will tackle buildout costs, equipment purchases, and other operational expenses.
Behind Plov & Borsch's introduction to Salt Lake City's west side is Zhazira Begaly, a Kazakhstan native with a knack for food technology and a history of running a thriving pasta business. Tag-teaming with Begaly is Kakisheva Gulnara, also from Kazakhstan, who brings the essence of authentic Central Asian recipes and cooking techniques to the table. According to Salt Lake City, this venture is set to create six new jobs within its first year, while retaining three current positions.
Lorena Riffo-Jenson, Director of Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development, shared, "Our focus is on helping small businesses access the resources they need to succeed," as per Salt Lake City. It appears that with Plov & Borsch, the city is doing just that—investing in a business poised to deliver both solid economic returns and a positive social and environmental footprint. The EDLF's overarching goal aligns with the city's mission to inject vitality into neighborhoods with the promise of new employment opportunities and commercial growth.
