The Mormon Handicraft Store in Salt Lake City, Utah was a magical place to step into. Walking through the doors you stepped back into time and found yourself wandering through an artisian paradise of furniture, quilts, clothes, candies, and cookies. The smells beckoned you to spend your allowance and colors begged you to unleash your creativity. I loved this store as a child and it broke my heart when it closed.

The Mormon Handicraft Store opened during The Great Depression to help Utah women suplement their income in 1937 by Louise Y Robison, Relief Society General President. Desert Book took over the store in 1986 with a new store bulit designed to look like a pioneer home. This is the place I remember walking into to buy embroidery and crafting supplies with my mom. 

This is also the location that shut down and broke my heart. I was absolutely crushed that something so beautiful and fun would be shut down. I still do not know why this location was closed but I believe it had something to do with expanding Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I did learn that it briefly reopened at another location possibly in Midvale, Utah but it seems to be closed again. At least all the website links I have found to the store do not currently work. This could be due to an announcement by President Nelson that the term Mormon is no longer acceptable, and neither is the abreviation LDS, in 2018. I did find news articles about The Mormon handicraft store until 2020 but nothing after.

I understand the announcement from President Nelson and wanting to move away from the negativity associated with the term Mormon. I am also divided on this announcement as some of my fondest memories and love of stitching began because The Mormon Handicraft Store existed. Maybe someday, I can open my store with a section dedicated to the store that inspired me.