FOUR UTAH COMPANIES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF.

AuthorKinder, Peri
PositionCover story

When you think about big companies in Utah, names like Facebook, Adobe, Instructure, or Pluralsight might come to mind. But if you stopped right there, you'd be missing out on all the fun. Outside the Silicon Slopes, there's a renegade movement of unexpected businesses doing things a little differently. From scented bowling balls to lung cancer diagnostic tools, here's four companies you probably don't know about.

LOFTUS INTERNATIONAL NOVELTY SHOP

At Loftus International, they take joking seriously. Ever since George Loftus opened his novelty shop on Main Street Salt Lake City in 1939, the company's focus has been to bring toys, magic, and fun to generations of children. Loftus Novelty was the first shop of its kind in the city, selling novelty items to the public.

An amateur magician, Mr. Loftus performed tricks for kids at his store, and then sold magic kits by the dozen. He also jumped on the Davy Crockett trend, stocking the store with coonskin caps and playing the show's theme song on repeat. Every trendy item, from pet rocks to slime to funny greeting cards, has been on the Loftus shelves, adding a bit of fun for kids of all ages.

Loftus Novelty began selling wholesale in the 1960s and expanded its inventory by importing products from around the globe. The shop is also a big distributor of balloons, costumes, stuffed animals, and party supplies. With its growing reputation, the company's name changed to Loftus International in 1995 to more accurately describe its place on the world stage as one of the most respected novelty distributors in the US.

As a leader in the industry, Loftus specializes in selling to schools, churches, businesses, or non-profits. The company no longer sells retail and doesn't show pricing on its website unless the customer sets up an approved account. Having a wholesale-only model allows the company to keep prices low for its valued clients.

Jim Rose, third-generation family member and current president of Loftus, says the company continues to evolve. "We're always updating our IT, shipping processes, website, and social media presence, and we visit the big tradeshow in China each year to stay on top of what best-sellers are predicted," he says. This year's most requested items include mermaids, pineapples, and flamingoes, and according to Mr. Rose, "unicorn poop slime is all the rage."

Located in downtown Salt Lake City, Loftus has kept its business in Utah for all these years, still building on the idea that...

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