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When Coley Arnold and Lindsey Holt met more than a decade ago at a church group for newlyweds, the two could not have imagined the success they’d have together. In 2011, the friends started Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market, which became a Valley institution. Looking for something a little more stable, the duo opened their first brick-and-mortar store in February 2020. “It was kind of a pipe dream,” Arnold says. “We always had the...

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Beer and ramen? We like the sound of that. Such are the dual passions of multi-versed culinarian Tyler Smith, who hopes to open the Kitsune Brewing Co. and Ramen Shop in Cave Creek later this year. In the meantime, Smith has joined forces with Simple Machine Brewing Co. in North Phoenix to can his first generation of brews, becoming Arizona’s first African American commercial brewer in the process. (Know the cans by the elegantly spare,...

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Anyone who’s ever cringed at the sound of nails on a chalkboard knows that sound can induce physical sensations – thankfully, they don’t have to be negative feelings. Practitioners of sound healing believe soundwaves can restore balance to one’s body and mind, and they’ve got the gongs to demonstrate. Seekers of such aural bliss could take some notes from the free virtual gong baths conducted by local wellness business Nicole Anne Yoga.  All they need...

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As he gazed out the window of Downtown Phoenix’s historical Sarah H. Pemberton house last year, True North Studio founder/developer Jonathan Vento reimagined his plans for the property amid the pandemic. His vision: a festival that never ends, filled with local restaurants, entertainment and art. This January, Vento and crew cut the proverbial ribbon on Pemberton PHX, situated on about 2 acres just north of the Roosevelt Row arts district. The “ever-evolving collective” will have...

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Food festivals may be scarce this spring, but you can still make the most of the season with al fresco dining courtesy of these mobile culinarians. Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine Chandler’s premier Caribbean eatery now has a food truck ferrying its beef patties, jerk chicken and curry goat all around the Valley. hotpotcuisine.com Goat & Ram Track down this pizza mobile for inventive spins on pie like the Wurst Pizza Ever: roasted garlic cream, bratwurst,...

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Photo by Gianluca D’Elia   Local artist Lalo Cota has spiced up the traditional 19th-century still life fruit bowl with one of his latest projects. Teaming up with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Cota designed a vibrant, Arizona-inspired mural of fresh food on the western wall of Nourish Phoenix, a Downtown Phoenix food bank that also provides clothing, household items and assistance with Medicaid applications. Previously, Cota has painted murals on the exterior walls of Phoenix schools...

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Liberty Market Strawberry Shortcake | Photo Courtesy Knife & Fork Media Group    Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9 and local restaurants are celebrating with multi-course meals, exclusive menu items and novelty cocktails. Here’s a running list of restaurants celebrating Mom this May with sustenance – and lots of Champagne, natch. Ember at We-Ko-Pa Raise a glass for moms everywhere with a complimentary Bellini, mimosa or glass of Champagne, plus an elaborate brunch including an...

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Fresh, customizable food for a good cause? Where do I sign up? The answer is Fresh Taste Meal Prep, a local meal delivery service that was recently launched by the team behind Valley foodie favorite Aioli Gourmet Burgers. Fresh Taste brings fully cooked and freshly prepared dishes directly to your door, and in turn supports local nonprofits focused on feeding the hungry. Here’s how it works: Order meals online for weekly delivery or pickup. For...

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Photo by Will Coles    Mellow evening temps are here for a brief visit in the Valley before the sweltering summer months, and with them come my favorite springtime activity – drinking on rooftops. I could always opt for a White Claw on the sundeck of my Midtown Phoenix apartment complex, but why do that when I can venture to Scottsdale and enjoy a craft cocktail, the sunset and sweeping views? Well, that is precisely...

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Tostada de Pescado | Photo by Nikki Buchanan   I’ve never actually counted, but I’m going to hazard a guess that metro Phoenix has more Mexican seafood restaurants than American-style seafood restaurants, which is a plus if you’re more interested in great, reasonably priced seafood than, say, la-di-da décor. El Heroico Guaymas, which opened in Peoria last December, is the newest of these no-frills, no-BS spots and based on a terrific lunch I had there...

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Thanks to a slew of new and established plant-based eateries, the Valley is quickly becoming a burgeoning hub for vegan and vegetarian fare. Whether you’re a veteran vegan or just looking for a meat-free meal, here are a few of our fave local dining establishments that avoid animal products. 24 Carrots Daily specials and a cozy, coffee shop vibe make this vegan café a regular destination on our rotating list of Valley eateries. Billed as...

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Rebel Lounge owner Stephen Chilton with Reap & Sow Owners Luke Bentley & Lance Linderman | Photo by Charles Barth    The leisure and hospitality industries were some of the hardest hit by COVID-19, with employment in these sectors falling from 39 percent to 15 percent in the first few months of the pandemic. In an effort to keep team members employed and sustain their companies, many local business owners found ways to lean on...