Modern Display is moving from its Salt Lake City location

The Christmas holidays will look a little different this year after a local business known for its giant and colorful Christmas light displays announced plans to move from Salt Lake City to Murray.

Modern Display planned to pack up the familiar store 424 South 700 E by the end of June and move to a much larger location.

The Vriens family has operated Modern Display since the 40s and called the 700 E. location home since 1980.

Executive Vice President Spencer Vriens called the move bittersweet, “It’s bitter because it’s not fun to be leaving our home but sweet because we’re still around, just moving.”

His grandfather started the décor company 80 years ago. Since then it’s become a top supplier in Utah for displays, décor, and events.

The Salt Lake location closes for good on June 17. The new location at 5959 South State in Murray is currently being remodeled and is slated to open in late August. It was previously a Shopko.

Vriens said Modern Display will continue to be a central part of the holidays in the Salt Lake Valley.

“We are the Christmas store in the Intermountain West,” Vriens said. “It’ll still be great, it will just be in a different spot in the Salt Lake Valley. We will still be part of the community doing the things that we’ve always done.”

The new location in Murray will be more accessible, have better parking, and be more convenient for a wider range of customers.

Even with all the advantages that come with the new place, Vriens is wistful about leaving.

“I’ve done every job here from cleaning the bathrooms, to loading and selling the Christmas trees, to putting the stickers on the windows,” Vriens said. “It’s just been a great place for our family to grow, to learn how to work, and to carry on my grandpa’s legacy.”