Incorrect Build Out Turns Into A Community Staple

A box of pastries for a hotel upgrade is a funny story, but the real treat here is how a bakery can rewire a neighborhood. We sit down with Bonrue Bakery founder Chris Connors to unpack a bold move from Las Vegas to St. George, the ventilation mishap that forced a pivot, and the rebrand that turned Farmstead into Bonrue—“a good place” that now employs 100 people.The conversation moves from butter to blueprints. Chris describes two and a half years of downtown apartment living with his family and why clean parks, short walks, and everyday encounters build a city’s heartbeat. We dig into density done right—retail at street level with homes above—and how one half-block can host 200 households without paving more edge-of-town lots. We challenge parking myths, point to empty stalls on the perimeter, and argue for walkability, bike lanes, and proactive planning that pays off five to seven years out. When tourism dips in the shoulder seasons, those local feet on the sidewalk keep small businesses alive.Affordability sits at the center. Prices are high, rates sting, and first-time buyers feel locked out. Chris lays out a pragmatic path: smaller, well-designed starter homes; mid-rise rentals over retail; faster approvals; and a community willing to trade a little protectionism for long-term vitality. It’s a call for shared solutions that match the pace of growth. Along the way, Chris opens up about loss, honoring the legacy of a world-class baker who helped set Bonrue's standard and spirit. What holds it together isn’t just great bread—it’s a tight-knit city where you know the health inspector by name and your customers become collaborators.Have other questions about living in, moving to, or visiting St. George and Southern Utah? Just ask! P. 435-291-5443E. [email protected]: www.GoStGeorge.comInsta: https://www.instagram.com/larkingroupFB: https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgeExperts🌟 Who? Jeremy Larkin was born and raised in St. George, Utah and is the owner of The Larkin Group Real Estate Advisors.📍 Where? Washington and Iron County, Utah, including, but not limited to St. George, Washington City, Ivins, Santa Clara, Hurricane, LaVerkin, Toquerville, Cedar City and Parowan. 💈  What?  Jeremy and his team of expert advisors at The Larkin Group walk the best clients in the world through the brain surgery of Buying, Selling and Investing Southern Utah Real Estate! And perhaps more importantly, they LOVE this community and pouring their heart and soul into it!📻  Tune in! Jeremy is the host of The "St. George Real Estate Morning" Drive radio show 94.9 FM / 890 AM. You can stream the weekly program Thursdays at 8:35 AM here: https://tinyurl.com/radiorealestate   🙏 Give: The St. George Basket Brigade feeds 200+ families every Thanksgiving and supports local families, students and schools through organizations like Tan's Treats. Learn more and give at http://stgeorgebasketbrigade.org/🔍  SEARCH ALL HOMES AND LAND in Washington County https://www.gostgeorge.com/ 🔗 CHECK YOUR CURRENT HOME EQUITY @ https://www.gostgeorge.com/homevalue[00:00:00] Pastries, Perks, And A Vegas Anecdote[00:08:40] Leaving Vegas, Finding Southern Utah[00:18:30] Apartment Living And Downtown Energy[00:27:20] Rebrand, Growth, And Jobs Created[00:34:20] Loss, Resilience, And Legacy[00:45:10] Why Downtown Needs More People