Ever since actor and comedian Ty Burrell first visited Salt Lake City, he knew there was something different about the place. Over time, the “Modern Family” star has adopted Utah as his home.
Burrell is now part-owner of Bar X and Beer Bar in downtown Salt Lake City. His group is also renovating the Cotton Bottom, a local favorite.
But as the Covid-19 pandemic has upended life across the globe, Burrell has seen Utah’s hospitality workers hit hard.
“We’re in an unusual spot,” Burrell says. “I know for a fact—because at one point in my life I was a terrible, terrible waiter and a bartender—that that community is particularly vulnerable to this [economic] situation.