30 APRIL 2025 O ne of my favorite things about traveling is diving into different neighborhoods and finding the ones where you can really feel the local vibe. What’s great about the Valley is that you don’t have to hop on a plane to find that homegrown charm. Just take a drive over to Agritopia in Gilbert and spend an afternoon at Barnone. The building used to be a good ol’ family barn, but instead of storing tractors and hay, it’s now home to some seriously talented craftsmen and food artisans. No big box stores, no chains – just passion, creativity, and a whole lot of respect for the craft. The mastermind behind this one- of-a-kind space? William Johnston, a fifth-generation Arizonan carrying on his family’s legacy. While his dad, Joe, helped transform Gilbert into a foodie hotspot, William took a different approach, turning Barnone into a hub where artisans can keep time-honored traditions alive while adding a modern twist. One of the very first tenants was Uprooted Kitchen, where plant-based eating isn’t just a trend, it’s a way of life. Owners Chad and Erin Romanoff started out in a 1968 Avion trailer-turned-food truck – hence the name Uprooted. These days they whip up everything from hearty veggie burgers to sushi, all made from organic, farm-to-table ingredients, many of which come from the farm right across the street. Even the desserts are plant-based. If your taste buds are craving something more traditional, Fire & Brimstone has you covered. This wood- fired pizzeria, run by James Johnston, keeps things local by sourcing ingredients from the neighborhood farm. His classic margherita, cheese, and pepperoni pizzas are always a hit. Feeling adventurous? Try The Big Dill, a pizza topped with crunchy dill pickles. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first… but that mix of tangy, cheesy, crunchy goodness? Game-changer . Of course, no meal is complete without dessert, and Cream of the Crop is here to deliver. This ice cream shop packs a big punch with flavors that are anything but ordinary. The Shake & Fries flavor is a nostalgia trip, because let’s be real, who didn’t dip their fries into a milkshake as a kid? If you’re a chocolate lover, their vegan dark chocolate flavor is so rich and decadent, it’s like frozen chocolate mousse, but made with coconut milk. Take a stroll over to High Jinks boutique, where the t-shirts, hats, and quirky finds are just as fun as the name suggests. Owners Johnny and Jen Arvisu are always coming up with fresh, artsy, and a little edgy designs with an Arizona twist. Barnone isn’t just a place to grab a bite or pick up a unique find, it’s a community. A place where stories, creativity, and craftsmanship come together in the best way possible. Whether you’re here for the food, the shopping, or just to soak up the flavor, one thing is for sure: you’re going to leave inspired. barnoneaz.com A collection of shops that showcase Arizona craftsmanship Robin is the host and executive producer of the Arizona Highways Television , Saturdays and Sundays on CBS. BY ROBIN SEWELL (left) Fire & Brimstone sources ingredients from the neighborhood farm. (right) High Jinks boutique offers t-shirts, hats, and quirky pieces.

31 APRIL 2025 By Kylie de Best Looking for a place to work out, get a cold-pressed juice, and finish your day with a facial? Look no further than Arcadia Improvement Club (AIC) – a building on the corner of 38th Street and Indian School that houses all three industries: Workshop Pilates, Kaleidoscope Juice and Face Lab. Owner and Founder Lauren Dolan grew up in the neighborhood and was searching for a way to connect herself, friends and family with other community members. When the former Madison Improvement Club building went up for sale, Dolan – who used to frequent the spin classes there – and her husband John decided to bring it back to life with new businesses. “We made Arcadia Improvement Club kind of like a co-op space,” Dolan said. “We are a little community that offers different things to cater to different people.” The first to open within the Improvement Club was The Workshop Pilates, a boutique studio that offers reformer and infrared heated mat classes. Attendees are provided with a mat towel, a sweat towel, weights, sliders, and gliders. The studio also has lockers, showers, hair dryers, and other supplies needed in case clients are on the go after their sessions. Those interested can sign up for tempo classes, strength and mat classes, yoga flow mixed with Pilates, and flow and sculpt, amongst others. The workshop also hosts a sound bowl class once a month, a hosted DJ class on the first Friday of the month, and a breathwork class every once in a while. A range of stretching, jump board (a fan favorite), and power and strength training classes are available in the reformer room. Drop-ins, packages, and memberships are available. Kaleidoscope Juice offers organic cold- pressed juices, smoothies, matcha, and healthy meals like avocado toast and acai bowls. CEO and owner Brooke Graves uses her extensive knowledge of food science to create high-quality drinks that she says are all made with intention. The most popular drinks at the Improvement Club are the strawberry shortcake, mint chip, immortal machine, and flu shot smoothie. Also housed in the AIC is Face Lab, owned by licensed aesthetician Logan Boyd. The med-spa offers hydra facials, peels, traditional microneedling, Vivace (a minimally invasive treatment that stimulates the natural production of collagen), and dermaplaning. “I love the synergy of health, beauty and wellness at the Arcadia Improvement Club. By just walking into the building you feel the healthy energy and good vibes,” Boyd said. “Each business there wants to be a part of their clients feeling their best and there is nothing better!” Face Lab also offers its own skincare line along with medical-grade brands Skinbetter and IS Clinical, which are available to members and walk-ins. theworkshoppilates.com kaleidoscopejuice.love facelabmedspa.com A one-stop shop for self-care days Lauren and John Dolan. The Arcadia Improvement Club houses Workshop Pilates, Kaleidoscope Juice and Face Lab. COURTESY OF LAUREN DOLAN