People Are THRILLED! New Store Coming To Old K-Mart Building In St. George
St. George... ARE YOU READY?
Today the mayor of St. George, Michele Randall, announced that HOBBY LOBBY will be coming to the city! Hobby Lobby will be in the St. George Place. It's not completely clear which building the new Hobby Lobby will be in, but it's assumed that it's in the old abandoned K-Mart building. The K-Mart building has been out of business since 2019, and driving past it on a daily basis HURTS!
Mayor Randall posted the announcement on Facebook today. "So happy to announce the developers of St George Place (old K Mart development) have signed a long term lease with Hobby Lobby. It will be opening early 2025. Yes, we're still eating on Trader Joe's but be patient."
This is big news to St. George residents! Hobby Lobby is among the TOP requests for retail shops.
If you're not aware of what Hobby Lobby is, their wikipedia page says the following: "Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., formerly Hobby Lobby Creative Centers, is an American retail company. It owns a chain of arts and crafts stores with a volume of over $5 billion in 2018. The chain has 1,001 stores in 48 U.S. states." It's a big place for home decor and crafts, especially for holiday decor.
AWESOME: St. George has HUGE Inflatable Park In Town RIGHT NOW!
If you've driven past the old K-Mart parking lot on Bluff Street, you've probably noticed SOMETHING going on in the parking lot. Massive tarps covering the pavement, lots of trucks, people working, etc. Well, we finally know what it is... and your kids are going to LOVE IT! It's 23,000+ square feet of inflatable fun.
It's Monster Bounce Inflatable Park and it's here from November 3rd - November 18th. They offer tickets for $12 for one-hour and $18 for two-hours. If you buy your tickets BEFORE November 3rd, you can use Promo Code: EARLYBIRD25 and get 25% off tickets! Again, that offer ends November 3rd. However, if you buy 5 or more tickets, you'll save 15%! This is absolutely something you DON'T WANT TO MISS! Buy your tickets at MonsterBounce.Com
Having A Baby Boy?! Use THESE Utah Cities For Names!
Hey, maybe you're having a baby boy soon and you're looking for a name. First off... CONGRATULATIONS! I have a son myself, and he's the most incredible thing ever. Boys are so fun! But let's say you're absolutely OBSESSED with the state of Utah, and you want something that shows that obsession. Well, there's nothing better than just naming him after a Utah city!
Here are the best Utah city names that could double as a baby boy name!
Alpine:
Right off the bat... I love it! It's unique, it's cool! Just think of a high school kid named Alpine! You know he gets chicks! 9/10.
Alton:
I've known a few Altons. Every time they're cool, bald black guys! 7/10.
Brian:
Coming from Brian Head... and Nah. Brian needs to rest for a hundred years of so... It's too over used. 1/10.
Bryce:
Bryce is cool! Plus, Bryce Canyon is probably my favorite National Park in Utah. 6/10.
Clarkston:
I didn't even know this was a city in Utah, but I do know Jordan Clarkson, which is close to Clarkston, and he plays for the Jazz! 7/10.
Daniel:
Nah... another name name that needs to rest for a couple hundred years! 1/10.
Dewey:
Dewey sounds FUN! My Grandpa's best friend was named Dewey and he was the life of the party. 8/10.
Ephraim:
This sounds like a super religious guy... if that's you're thing then go for it... I don't love it though. 2/10.
Hank:
Hank the tank, baby! Hank comes from Hanksville, and this name is making a HUGE comeback in 2023. It's a little too old school for my liking, but it's not awful. 6/10.
Henrie:
Henrie comes from Henrieville and it's a unique way to spell it... But again, I think this one is WAY too old school. I would feel like this is an 80 year old man's name! 5/10.
Hyde:
This one is pretty cool, coming from Hyde Park! I kind of like it! 7/10.
Joseph:
This is my cousin's name and I feel like it's pretty boring... UNLESS you have a technicolored dream coat. In that case... It's awesome. But if you don't have the coat, then 2/10.
Kingston:
This is kind of cool. You could call him King. But he better be cool. that's a lot of pressure to put on a kid. 6/10.
Payson:
I've met quite a few Paysons here in Utah. I wonder if they got it from the name of the city! 4/10.
Randolph:
Randolph is DOPE! You can't call him Randy though. It HAS TO BE Randolph. "What up, Randolph?!" Sounds so cool. 9/10.
River:
There's a TON of River names in Utah. River Heights, Riverdale, Riverton. It's pretty cool, and mysterious too! 8/10.
Rocky:
Rocky Ridge is in Utah as well as Rockville. I think of a Boxer out of Philadelphia, so I'd probably always shout "YO ADRIAN!" at the poor kid. But it's still solid. 7/10.
Roy:
I actually don't like this name. My buddy has a neighbor that was mouthing off one time and tried coming into the house and I pushed him out. I about threw hands with the guy and low and behold... his name was Roy. Screw Roy. 1/10.
Jordan:
There's a lot of Jordans in Utah! West Jordan. South Jordan. Jordan High School. To be honest... It's a cool name. Michael Jordan made it awesome. 8/10.
Stockton:
Speaking of Michael Jordan... another NBA name. But this time, the whitest man to ever play in the league. One of my favorite NBA players of all time... John Stockton. Pretty cool that there's a Stockton, Utah, too! 7/10.
Trenton:
I've met a could Trentons before, in Utah! But Usually they just go by Trent. Trent makes me think of a sketchy dude that's unemployed and willing to hit a kid. So unfortunately, Trenton is a 2/10 for me.
Woodruff:
Absolutely, yes! Your kid would have so much swag and street red with the name Woodruff. Don't call him Woody. Just stick with Woodruff. If you gave him the name before birth, there's probably a high chance that he comes out with a full beard! 8/10.
Having A Baby Girl?! Use THESE Utah Cities For Names!
Hey, maybe you're having a baby girl soon and you're looking for a name. First off... CONGRATULATIONS! How special! But let's say you're absolutely OBSESSED with the state of Utah, and you want something that shows that obsession. Well, there's nothing better than just naming her after a Utah city!
Here are the best Utah city names that could double as a baby girl name!
Annabella:
Annabella is a small little town outside of Richfield. It's cute and the name is too. Anna is cute, Bella is cute! I'll give it a solid 8/10.
Aurora:
Aurora, also up near Richfield. It's the name of Sleeping Beauty. However, it's not my favorite. I've known some CRAZY Auroras! 4/10.
Beaver:
Don't do this to your daughter... DON'T! Yes, it would be hilarious... but DON'T! 1/10.
Brighton:
I've met boys named Brighton, but never a girl named Brighton! It could be cute though! 7/10.
Corinne:
I've known MANY girls with this name, but never spelled that way. Always Kirrin or Koryn. Pretty solid name. 7/10.
Delta:
Call me crazy, but I LOVE this name for a girl. VERY CUTE! Like the Tanya Tucker song 'Delta Dawn'. 9/10.
Elmo:
If Elmo from Sesame Street wasn't a thing, this could actually be a cute name. But he STRAIGHT UP RUINED this name for anyone else. 2/10.
Francis:
This was my Grandma's name, but she was always called Fran. For some reason this name feel very... medieval to me. I'm not sure why though. Just feels like a King or Queen name. 6/10.
Hooper:
Hear me out! This could be cute! It's very unique, but a cute little girl named Hooper? I'm kind of for it! 8/10.
Layton:
I've known a few girls with this name before. Not Bad... But also, not extremely creative. 6/10.
Logan:
Is Logan a boy name? I think so... which makes it even cooler for a girl name! 7/10.
Monroe:
I love this name! This is actually on my list of baby names. Not because of Monroe, Utah, but because of my mom's LOVE for Marilyn Monroe. 10/10.
Morgan:
I can name probably 20 Morgans that I know. It's not extremely unique, but it's a solid name 7/10.
Oakley:
It's a cute name, but I think of the sunglasses. I'm not saying you're a douchebag if you wear Oakleys... but a lot of douchbags that I know wear Oakleys... 6/10.
Perry:
This one is NOT awful. It's actually kid of cool. Especially now that Matthew Perry has passed away, I could see this name becoming a hit. 8/10.
Sandy:
I feel like Sandy is always a woman with freckly shoulders, never wears sunscreen, probably rides a horse, and smokes cigarettes! 2/10.
Torrey:
I've known some absolutely GORGEOUS Torreys before. It's kind of cute actually! 8/10.
EXPIRES SOON: Hundreds Of Dollars Of FREE STUFF You Haven't Used In Southern Utah!
Free Donuts. Free McDonald's Breakfast Sandwiches. Free Tire Repair. Free Glass Cleaner. Free Rounds of Golf. Free Crisp Bean Burritos. Free Car Wash.
There is SO MUCH FREE STUFF!
If you have a 2023 Dixie Direct Savings Guide, you're sitting on HUNDREDS of dollars of FREE Coupons! Literal FREE STUFF just sitting there. Here's the kicker though... They expire on November 1st. You need to go through your book right now and clip out the free stuff and go on a quest.
Here is the complete list of the FREE stuff inside the Dixie Direct Savings Guide:
- Free Basic Car Wash - Fabulous Freddy's Car Wash
- Free Round of Golf - The Ledges Golf Club
- Free Round of Golf - Sky Mountain Golf Course
- Free Admission For Two - Utah Tech Athletics
- Free 60 ml Bottle Of Olive Oil & Balsamic Combo - Redstone Olive Oil
- Free One Way Ticket From STG to Las Vegas - Salt Lake Express
- Free Two Fountain Drinks - McDonald's
- Free Two One Scoop Dishes of Frozen Custard - Culver's
- Free Two Breakfast Sandwiches - McDonald's
- Free Two Crisp Bean Burritos - Taco Time
- Free Two Glazed Donuts - The Donut Run
- Free 16 piece Parm Bites - Dominoes
- Free Round of Mini Golf - Fiesta Fun
- Free Bumper Boat Pass - Fiesta Fun
- Free 3 Hour Rental - The Back Nine
- Free 30 Minute Golf Bay - Birdie's Golf Lounge
- Free Two Kid's Mini Golf Passes - BigShots Golf
- Free Primary IV - Prime IV Hydration & Wellness
- Free MIC with B12 Shot - Beauty Restored Medical & Aesthetics
- Free Eyebrow Wax or Free Deep Conditioning - Fantastic Sams
- Free 20 count Power Outlet Protectors - Hedgehog Electric & Solar
- Free Range Pass - Rowdy's Range
- Free Knife Sharpening - Mr. Knife Guy
- Free Intro to Scuba Class - Aqua Sports
- Free 25-Point Computer Diagnostic & Tune Up or 47-Point On-Site Business Network Security & Backup Check - Glitch Busters
- Free Two Kid's 90 Minute Skate Session - The Rinq
- Free Two Child Admissions - Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum
- Free Group Training Session - Nets on Fire
- Free Two Admissions - St. George Latin Dance Nights
- Free Red-light Therapy Session & Consultation - Get Lit Red Light Therapy
- Free Hydro Therapy Session - Hydro Massage / Hive Therapy
- Free 30 Minute Sauna or 1 Hour Hyperbaric Chamber - Your Health Restored
- Free One Week Trial or 1 Month Membership - Hive Therapy
- Free 2 Week Membership - Bobby Lawrence Karate
- Free One Week Membership - Crossfit Zion
- Free One Day Couple Pass - Washington City Community Center
- Free 7 Day Trial Membership - Burn Boot Camp
- Free Flat Tire Repair - Big O Tires
- Free Can of Glass Cleaner - Jones Paint & Glass
- Free Pop Bubble Fidgit - McMullin Injury Law
- Free Power of Attorney - Witt Law
- Free Spinal Decompression - Total Health Clinic
- Free Brain Map Analysis, Consultation and Report - Neurofeedback Centers of Utah
- Free Assessment & Trial Session - Mathnasium
- Free Initial Consultation & Digital X-Rays - Orthodontics, inc.
- Free Exam & X-Rays - Simply Wisdom Teeth
- Free Pediatric Exam & X-Ray - Johnson Pediatric Dentistry
Again, you have only DAYS before these things all expire. You can get lunch for free for a couple days, and even get into some awesome places. These expire on November 1, 2023.
Calling Out A Local Business... GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!
If you're familiar with some of my stuff... I've called out businesses sometimes. I'm mostly pretty nice about it. It's usually "Hey... that's a little expensive!" or "Stop asking for a tip for every little thing." Some pretty basic stuff, ya know? Well this time, I'm going to go RIGHT AT A BUSINESS! That business is Dixie Direct Savings Guide. I'm pretty good friends with Tony Chambers, the owner of Dixie Direct Savings Guide... But he needs to hear this!
The 2023 Dixie Direct Card expires on November 1st of 2023, and the same day the 2024 card is available for purchase. The Dixie Direct is a pretty great thing to have. For only $40, you can buy the card and it's FULL of free coupons to local restaurants and stores, PLUS TONS of buy-one-get-one-free deals. It's truly worth the $40!
BUT HERE ARE THE TOP THINGS WE WANT TO SEE IN THE 2024 DIXIE DIRECT SAVINGS GUIDE:
Utah Jazz Tickets:
When was the last time you tried going to a Jazz game? Tickets are SO EXPENSIVE! We need a hero, and that hero should be Dixie Direct! Get us some cheap tickets! I'll buy 10 Dixie Directs if I can get some free Jazz tickets!
BOGO Tanks of Gas:
I did a story about this earlier this month, but SAVE US, DIXIE DIRECT! Gas is stupid expensive. Buy one get one free tanks of gas at Fabulous Freddy's?! I'm calling both businesses out now! Help a brother out!
Free Play in Mesquite Casinos:
Is this legal? Doubt it... But let's try it out! Wouldn't it be cool if we could get $100 in free play at a Mesquite Casino?! Imagine coming home with an extra $500 that we just won! Let's go!
BOGO Movie Tickets:
Movies are finally coming back after Covid, but let's get some free action at the movies! I'm willing to pay the $45 for a bucket of popcorn, if I can get a free ticket into the movie! Let's bully Dixie Direct and Megaplex into making this a reality!
50% off Rent / Mortgage:
This one seems the easiest to happen. If you buy a Dixie Direct Savings Guide, you can get ONE MONTH of 50% off your rent or mortgage. Tony Chambers at Dixie Direct will just write a check to your bank or landlord. Come on Tony, don't be a jerk! Just do it!
FREE Donuts at Daylight Donuts:
THIS ONE NEEDS TO HAPPEN! Tony Chambers bought the Daylight Donuts. I LOVE Daylight Donuts, but I swear... If I open that book and it says ONE free donut, I'm going to RAGE! I want FREE DONUTS, TONY! MULTIPLE!
What else would you like to see in the 2024 Dixie Direct Savings Guide? The new book drops November 1st!
These St. George Businesses NEED TO STEP IT UP!
I'm from St. George, Utah, BORN AND RAISED BABY! Nobody is a bigger believer in St. George than I am. But quite frankly, these St. George businesses NEED TO STEP IT UP. I'm sick of making excuses for them. Enough is enough. It's time to make a change.
The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the state of Utah is $4.27! Some place in St. George are ALMOST $5.00 per gallon! Absolutely ridiculous. I'm calling on these St. George businesses to step up and start selling gasoline!
Dixie Direct Savings Guide:
You can buy a Dixie Direct Savings Guide for only $40 and it's FULL of amazing deals on food, to entertainment, and services. But It's time they hook us up with buy one get one free gallons of gasoline! WE NEED HELP, TONY CHAMBERS! STEP IT UP! (You can also buy a Dixie Direct Savings Guide RIGHT NOW for $25, but it will expire at the end of the month.)
Deseret Industries AKA The D.I.:
Come on! You're looking for a cheap couch? D.I. You're looking for cheap clothes? D.I. You're looking for some cheap gasoline? IT SHOULD BE THE D.I. We could save SO MUCH MONEY!
Family Dollar:
YES! This one is actually the best idea! Gas at the Dollar Store?! SUCH A NO-BRAINER! Every gallon of gas is $1! I can't believe someone hasn't thought of this yet. Someone needs to elect me as the next mayor of St. George! This is genius! Come on, Family Dollar, we need you now more than ever!
HUGE St. George Building Being Torn Down AS WE SPEAK!
Am I the only one that sees construction and has to pull over and watch it happen?! Well, this happened this morning as I was driving down Main Street in St. George! The Wells Fargo Drive Thru on Main Street and 100 South is being torn down to make room for the new St. George City Hall at Town Square. From the renderings of the new City Hall, it appears the entire Wells Fargo building is coming down, and not just the drive thru!
The current City Hall building was built in 1980 and is 34,000 square feet. The new City Hall building will be completed in 2025, and will better help serve the 100,000+ members of St. George! It will be over 69,000 square feet and three stories tall. In addition to the City Hall building, there will be a 4-story tall parking structure.
The new address for this City Hall building will be 61 South Main Street, symbolizing the year the Pioneers Settled St. George: 1861.
Things St. George Needs Changed NOW... If I Were The Mayor!
Everyone has their own ideas of what would make Southern Utah a better place to live. We all have our ideas, right? Maybe it's things to make life easier, better, or less expensive. These are MY ideas of what I would change if I was the Mayor of St. George, Utah!
1. Buildings Taller Than The Temple:
Apparently, St. George has some law that buildings in town cannot be taller than the St. George LDS Temple. That's pretty strange, especially because the Temple isn't really THAT tall. But Imagine the affordable housing we could have if we could have buildings that were 7, 8 or 9 stories tall!
2. Public Transportation Trains:
We have the SunTran, but NO THANKS! I've never been on it, but it seems dirty and slow. But, what about a train? A quick one that could get you from Washington to Santa Clara in 10 minutes? Or Ivins to Little Valley in 10 minutes? That would be awesome, especially on Saturdays when the traffic is harsh.
3. BIG CONCERTS:
St. George, Utah has over 100,000 people here! That doesn't include Cedar City, Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara, or Mesquite! It's complete BS that we aren't able to get BIG concerts in St. George. It's especially crazy because we are RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Huge groups are passing through town almost everyday. In 2021, Missoula, Montana had Guns N' Roses play in their city. Missoula was a population of 75,000 people. That's 25,000 less than St. George. LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
4. SLIDE THE CITY DAY:
HOW COOL WOULD IT BE?! One Day EACH MONTH in the summer, we shut down a street and we slip n' slide down the city! The kids would LOVE IT! I'd vote for me!
What city things would YOU love to see changed or brought in? Let's make it happen!
BLOCKBUSTER Movie Filmed In St. George AND IT'S GORGEOUS!
Have you ever heard of the 1979 BLOCKBUSTER The Electric Horseman? Did you know it was shot ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY in St. George and surrounding areas? It's an incredible blast from the past if you grew up in St. George! It feels so familiar to watch. If you haven't seen The Electric Horseman it is currently streaming on Netflix!
A quick synopsis of the movie:
Robert Redford plays a retired 5x rodeo champion, Sonny Steele. He's now the face of a cereal brand with a $12,000,000 horse named Rising Star. When he finds out the horse is mistreated in Las Vegas, he rides away on the horse and heads for St. George, Utah. Sonny turns into a fugitive on the run. A tv reporter played by Jane Fonda finds Sonny and Rising Star in St. George and helps Sonny with his plan: Releasing Rising Star with wild mustangs.
Here are some of the AMAZING photos of old St. George!
The first scene of the movie features a football game at THIS stadium. Anyone recognize this place? That's the Dixie SunBowl!
Sonny has stolen Rising Star and they're out somewhere in Washington on the banks of the Virgin River!
Jane Fonda's Character, Hallie catches up with Sonny and Rising Star. I'm trying to put my finger on where this is. It looks like it's up near the Sugar Loaf aka Dixie Rock, somewhere in that area. You can see the mountains to the West AND Pine Valley to the North.
The police are now on the search in Washington! This shot is on Telegraph and Main Street. The empty field to the left is NOW the old Nisson's Store.
If you look down to the left, you can see the old Burger Place!
We're now on Main Street and Tabernacle! Dixie State Bank on the left is now the Main Street Plaza Parking Garage! Jolley's Western Wear is on the left. This intersection is currently a roundabout.
Hallie stepping out of her car on St. George Boulevard. You can see Dixie Realtors in the background which is where the Ocean Buffet is now.
This shot is looking East on St. George Boulevard.
There's the Sugar Loaf Cafe that was once The Gable House, Godfather's Pizza, and now Cafe Sabor.
They're on the road headed north from Bluff Street to Veyo!
Back on Main Street and Tabernacle, the police have spotted Sonny and Rising Star and a police chase is about the ensue!
This field is now the Wells Fargo on Main Street and Tabernacle, across from the Splash Bad.
There's the Tabernacle in the background during the police chase!
Hey! There's the D on the hill!
These houses are still standing, but I'm having a hard time placing exactly where they're located!
It appears they've now started shooting in Washington during this police chase!
They've escaped the police! But now they're at a small little lake or reservoir, and I'm not sure where it is. But it looks like it's in Ivins. Is it the Ivins Reservoir? You can see Kayenta in the background!
Enter Willford Brimley! This is only the 2nd movie he was ever in, and he's a farmer that helps save Sonny, Hallie, and Rising Star. He's driving a Kay A. Bundy truck!
This is definitely Snow Canyon! Right?
One of the prettiest shots in the entire film, a private jet flying into the OLD St. George Airport on the hill!
Sonny is ready to release Rising Star with the Wild Mustangs, and he's definitely up near Zion. Springdale? Rockville?
Sonny and Hallie are now set to go their separate ways and they're having lunch at Dick's Cafe which is now gone. Currently Golden West Credit Union is on that location (Across the Boulevard from Angelica's)
Sonny is headed out on his own on St. George Boulevard. The building on the right is the building where Steamroller Copies, Lazer Mania and down a bit is Urban Renewal.
Sonny is actually walking BACK to St. George in this shot, but he's on the highway between here and Veyo!
I hope you enjoyed this! It was so much fun to watch. They mention St. George a ton, Mesquite, Marysvale and Richfield. It's currently streaming on Netflix! Go watch it for yourself, besides seeing St. George a lot, it was an awesome story!