SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Council recently approved a $350,000 Economic Development Loan Fund (EDLF) loan for Himalayan Kitchen, a popular downtown restaurant known for its authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine.
Founded in 2005 by Surya Bastakoti, Himalayan Kitchen is a staple of Salt Lake City’s dining scene, with its original location at 360 S. State Street serving dishes prepared with hand-ground spices and traditional techniques.
“Salt Lake City is proud to support local businesses like Himalayan Kitchen that reflect the heart of our community,” said Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “This loan not only helps a longtime favorite grow, but it also brings new energy and investment to a historic part of our city.”
The new funding supports the opening of a second location, which is part of the Shades of Pale project—an effort to revitalize the historic Engine Block building at 1388 S. 300 West. The new restaurant officially opened on April 5, expanding Himalayan Kitchen’s footprint and bringing new life to a once-industrial site.
“Himalayan Kitchen has been a gathering place in Downtown Salt Lake City for 20 years and I’m excited to see it expand to Ballpark,” said Council Member Darin Mano, who represents the area. “As an architect, I’m especially looking forward to seeing it become yet another tenant in the historic Enging Block building’s next chapter.”
Working with the Department of Economic Development, Himalayan Kitchen received the EDLF loan to assist with:
- Tenant improvements for the new space
- Kitchen equipment and fixtures
- Specialized machinery to support food preparation and service
“Surya’s story and his success is exactly what our Economic Development Loan Fund is here to support,” said Lorena Riffo Jenson, Director of the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development. “Investing in passionate entrepreneurs helps us create a more resilient local economy.”
The EDLF’s purpose is to stimulate business development and expansion, create employment opportunities, encourage private investment, promote economic development, and enhance neighborhood vitality and commercial enterprise in Salt Lake City by making loans available to businesses. The program’s overarching goal is to invest in viable businesses that produce strong economic returns and also provide positive social and environmental impacts. Learn more here.
About Himalayan Kitchen: Award-winning Indian restaurant located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City against the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains. Traditional Nepali and Indian cuisine is prepared daily with the freshest ingredients by dedicated Nepali chefs. Learn more at https://himalayankitchen.com/.
About Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development: Formed in 2016, Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development is focused on building Salt Lake City as a vibrant, beautiful, prosperous, diverse, and authentic place–a place that is economically accessible to everyone. Known as the “Crossroads of the West,” Salt Lake City is strategically located for businesses to succeed. SLC DED works to streamline processes, provide excellent customer service, and offer an array of resources and services to recruit and retain businesses in the City, and ensure they have the tools to thrive. Learn more here.