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WHAT WE VALUE
The year is already in motion, routines have settled, and attention turns to the choices we make day to day—where we spend our time, who we rely on, and what we continue to support once the novelty of a new year fades.
That’s where Love Local fits naturally.
Loving local isn’t performative. It shows up in consistency. In the businesses you return to because they deliver. In the professionals you recommend because they’ve earned trust. In the brands and services built with care, intention, and a long view.
This issue focuses on people and enterprises doing exactly that—building thoughtfully, serving well, and contributing in ways that last. Their stories reflect commitment over flash and substance over scale.
February is simply a reminder to be deliberate. To support work done well. To value relationships that grow over time. To recognize that the strength of a community—however you define it—is shaped by everyday decisions.
At Meridian Lifestyle, our goal is to highlight those stories and the individuals behind them. We’re proud to share perspectives that reflect how people live, work, and invest in what matters most.
As we move toward spring, we hope this issue offers a clear, grounded look at the people and choices shaping the life we’re all part of.
Thank you for reading and for supporting what’s built with purpose.
GREG
GEWALT, PUBLISHER @MERIDIAN.LIFESTYLE
Meridian Lifestyle is available for pick up at the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, 215 E. Franklin Rd.
Russell Detablan | editorial@boisecitylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Tammy De Weerd, Ashley Loeb, Jordan Gray
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tammy De Weerd, Ashley Loeb, Gary Apter, Janie Jones, Camille Beckman
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Travel has taken Sam and Corbin Maxey across continents, but Idaho remains the constant—where wildlife, wine, and wide-open landscapes mirror the
they’ve built, grounded in return, belonging, and choosing home again with intention always.
WINE. WILDLIFE. HOME.
We had hoped to meet in South Africa—Sam and Corbin Maxey leading a safari and wine tour, and me visiting family in Cape Town—but our paths never crossed. Instead, we reconnected back in Idaho, carrying with us the warmth and energy of that extraordinary place. As we talked, it became clear that whether they’re exploring South African vineyards or watching elephants on the horizon, Sam and Corbin’s adventures always circle back to the same place: home.
What they love about South Africa—the wildlife, the wine, the wide-open landscapes—mirrors much of what they love about Idaho. “Yellowstone is the American Serengeti,” Corbin said. “It’s the closest thing we have to a safari, and most people don’t even think
ARTICLE BY TAMMY DE WEERD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMMY DE WEERD & PROVIDED
An Idaho Couple Whose Adventures Always Lead Them Home
Idaho’s own rugged beauty
of it that way.” Their enthusiasm for wild places is immediate and contagious, whether those landscapes are halfway across the world or just beyond Idaho’s borders.
Corbin’s connection to wildlife began early. He grew up in Robie Creek, a childhood he describes as “the best in the entire world,” surrounded by animals from the start. When his family moved to Meridian at age twelve so he could, as he put it, “become normal,” the effort didn’t take. He quickly turned the bonus room of their new home into a reptile reserve. Some of the snakes he cared for then are still alive today, now in their thirties. His first wildlife show followed in 2003, in Meridian, where he introduced children to animals he still works with.
Their home today reflects that same curiosity. Followers of Corbin’s YouTube channel recognize Soni the alligator, Tank the 170pound tortoise who attends “family dinners,” and the ever-present reptiles visible from their bedroom window. Wildlife isn’t a backdrop—it’s woven into daily life.
Wine forms the other half of their shared story. They married in Michigan wine country and have explored vineyards across Italy, Bordeaux, Germany, and South Africa. Those travels have only deepened Sam’s connection to Idaho wine. “Idaho wine has sparked much of our travel,” she said. “We grow great Bordeaux varietals here that
Idaho's own wildlife
Yellowstone National Park
Visiting wineries around the world
Soni the alligator
inspired us to go to Bordeaux. Then you taste something in France and think, ‘This reminds me of Hell’s Canyon Cabernet.’ Idaho shows up in unexpected ways.”
For Sam and Corbin, loving local is less a slogan than a habit. “We should be paid spokespeople for Idaho,” Corbin joked. “Everywhere we go, we’re preaching Idaho—not Iowa.” They talk about the feeling of return—landing at the Boise airport, getting into their own car, seeing the sky. In 2026, that sense of home will take on a new form with the opening of Snake River Cottage, an Airbnb inspired by their travels and set in Idaho wine country—the first home they ever shared.
It’s one more way they bring the world back with them, then choose Idaho again.
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A FRESH TAKE ON BRUNCH
EASY DISHES AND THOUGHTFUL DETAILS TURN HOSTING INTO CELEBRATION TOGETHER
ARTICLE BY STAFF WRITER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
Spring is right around the corner, and it is the perfect time to gather with friends and family to enjoy good food, drinks and company. Lauren Lane Culinarian is sharing a few of her go-to brunch recipes perfect for entertaining. Setting the stage for your guests makes the experience that much sweeter. LeAnn Parker is sharing a fun DIY to personalize your table.
STRAWBERRY BRUSCHETTA
INGREDIENTS
• 1 pound strawberries, washed and sliced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Kosher salt
• 1 loaf Italian or French bread, cut into 12 slices
• 1 cup goat or mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, basil or mint leaves
• Good balsamic or balsamic glaze
• Salt and ground pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine strawberries and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Brush bread with olive oil and a sprinkle of kosher salt.
3. Position oven rack a few inches below broil and preheat broiler. Align bread slices on a baking sheet. Broil first side until golden brown, about 1 minute, then flip bread slices to the opposite side and broil opposite sides until golden brown.
4. Spread cheese on toasted bread. Add a pinch of black pepper, salt, and the herbs to the strawberry mixture. Spoon the strawberry mixture over the cheese-topped bruschetta. Garnish with additional herbs. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar.
*Substitute peaches for strawberries in the summer.
SPRING GREENS INGREDIENTS
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces spring greens, baby arugula, or butter lettuce
• 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1 cup fresh fava beans, shelled, blanched and peeled, or frozen lima beans, thawed
• 4-6 radishes very thinly sliced
• 6-8 stalks of roasted asparagus cut into 2-inch pieces
• 4 ounces soft goat cheese or feta
INSTRUCTIONS
Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and honey.
Salad
1. Place the lettuce in a separate bowl and toss it with enough vinaigrette to just moisten.
2. Put the lettuce on a serving platter or bowl and arrange the rest of the ingredients on top.
3. Drizzle with additional vinaigrette, if desired, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
*Add spring peas, artichokes, sliced avocado, or cucumbers as an option.
SPRING QUICHE
INGREDIENTS
• 1 pie dough
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups mixed veggies, such as raw spinach leaves and cooked broccoli and asparagus
• 7 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/4 cups light cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• 3/4 cup grated gruyere or white cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate and press it into shape. Crimp the edges if desired.
3. Place a sheet of parchment paper or foil into the pie shell and fill with pie weights, uncooked rice or dried beans. Bake until the edges are very lightly golden, about 25 minutes. Remove the pie crust but keep the oven on. If edges start getting too brown, cover with a pie cover or foil.
4. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cream, herbs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and lightly whisk.
5. Sprinkle half of the gruyere or cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano on the crust, followed by the veggies, and then the remaining cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the top and bake until set, about 35 minutes.
DIY GLASS ETCHING
Etching glass is a simple and beautiful way to personalize a tablescape.
• Glass Etching Cream (read label for safety guidelines)
• Etching Stencil
• Foam Brush or craft paint brush
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Glassware
INSTRUCTIONS
To create, prep glass by wiping the surface clean with rubbing alcohol. Once dry, place stencil on glass and brush etching cream over the area to be etched. Let sit for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water to remove cream.
ARTICHOKE CENTERPIECE
SUPPLIES:
10 small artichokes, 2 varieties of greens, 1 variety of flower, floral foam, 10 wooden skewers and a vase.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill the vase with floral foam and soak with water. Insert one wooden skewer into the stem of each artichoke. To arrange, first insert skewered artichokes into the floral foam. Then, fill gaps with greens and flowers.
ARTICLE BY TAMMY DE WEERD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMMY DE WEERD + PROVIDED
LESSONS From LONGEVITY
A lifetime of purpose forged through faith, humility, and deliberate calm
When you meet Winston Moore, you quickly sense you’re in the presence of someone who has mastered the long view—not just in business or community building, but in life itself. At 101, his handshake is steady, his eyes clear, and his humor sharp. “Every day’s a gift,” he says, settling back with the ease of a man who long ago made peace with time.
Though he wasn’t born in Idaho, Winston arrived early enough— and contributed boldly enough—to witness and help shape its transformation from a quiet state famous for its potatoes into one of the nation’s most dynamic regions. Through every era of change, he has remained rooted in three constants: faith, the outdoors, and vision—a perspective that has allowed him to stay grounded, grateful, and deeply connected to the people and places he loves.
SHAPED BY THE OUTDOORS
Before Winston became known for shaping much of the Treasure Valley’s commercial backbone, the outdoors had already shaped him. Wilderness was where he learned rhythm, patience, and humility. And while he rarely speaks of it, those who know him understand he was just as accomplished in the outdoors as he was in business. His skill and intuition in wild places earned him quiet recognition among sportsmen across the world.
Yet what mattered wasn’t prestige—it was peace and how to savor it.
“When I’m outside, I feel a peace and calm I don’t feel anywhere else,” he says. “I’m away from people, with my dog, with nature. I feel closer to God there than I ever would in a stained-glass room.”
Whether walking his farm at sunset, sitting under an open sky, or listening to the wild around him, Winston says those hours have been his greatest teacher.
“Nature helped form my character,” he explains. “Out there, I’m just at peace with the world.”
FAITH, PARTNERSHIP, AND INNER STEADINESS
Winston’s faith is not loud or formal; it’s woven into the rhythm of his days.
“I talk to God several times a day,” he says. “After every one of those conversations, I feel more at peace—more relaxed.”
That same quiet steadiness defined his marriage to his late wife, Diane, who traveled with him on many of his outdoor adventures.
“I had a beautiful marriage to a lovely woman,” he says, pausing. “Enjoying so much together gave me an inner peace I didn’t think about at the time—but it was a big part of living a long life.”
Their marriage was built on respect, laughter, shared wonder— and an ease that becomes its own kind of longevity. Simple ingredients, accumulated over decades, that create a lifetime of gratitude.
A LIFE OF GIVING—QUIETLY
Winston’s philanthropy is considerable but rarely public. Over the years, he has supported cornerstone institutions—The College of Idaho, Saint Alphonsus, the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club, and several outdoor and conservation efforts. Each gift was rooted in gratitude and a desire to strengthen the community that shaped his family and work.
“Rooted in faith and shaped by the outdoors, Winston carries 101 years with a calm that feels both earned and effortless.”
Then, several years ago, he felt called to expand his giving in a more personal direction.
“I prefer helping individuals directly,” he says. “These aren’t charity cases. They’re hardworking people who may never have much—but who deserve more than life handed them.”
He has paid off mortgages, bought reliable cars, purchased condominiums, even helped families secure homes they could never have afforded. Many still visit him with tears in their eyes.
“It makes me feel wholesome,” he says quietly. “Helping someone directly…it does something good in you.”
To Winston, both kinds of giving matter. Supporting institutions builds the community. Supporting individuals builds a life.
ADAPTABILITY, PERSPECTIVE & THE LONG VIEW
Winston has lived through wars, recessions, booms, and technological revolutions. Yet he meets each new era with calm, clarity, and perspective.
“I just deal with life as it comes,” he says. “Some changes are good; some aren’t. But I can’t control it all.”
His longevity, he believes, comes from saving his mental energy for what he can influence—and letting the rest fall away.
“Your mind is too valuable to fill with worry,” he says. “If you can’t change it, don’t let it take up space.”
It is, perhaps, the simplest and most profound lesson of his 101 years.
HIS RECIPE FOR A LONG, GOOD LIFE
After a century of leadership, vision, achievement, adventure, and quiet generosity, Winston’s formula is surprisingly clear.
“Live with peace, gratitude, and faith. Don’t waste time on worry. And spend as much time outdoors as you can.”
For someone who has lived more than most of us can imagine, the advice is refreshingly uncomplicated—a long life distilled to its truest parts.
“After a century of shifting landscapes, Winston’s perspective remains remarkably simple: save your energy for what matters, adapt to what comes, and never allow the noise of the world to eclipse your purpose.”
Winston’s office wall
LESSONS FROM 100 YEARS
Winston Moore’s Guide to Living Well—at Any Age
1. Protect your peace. Don’t clutter your mind with things you can’t change.
2. Spend time outdoors. Nature strengthens character and calms the spirit.
3. Keep your mind uncluttered. Let go of things you can’t change.
4. Talk to God. Faith brings clarity and calm.
5. Love deeply and loyally. A strong partnership brings lifelong steadiness.
6. Give quietly. Supporting nonprofits builds community. Supporting individuals builds a life.
7. Stay grateful. “Every day’s a gift,” he says. And he lives like it.
Winston Moore during his Navy years
A slower, more meaningful way to experience Italy this spring and summer
ARTICLE BY GREG GEWALT
Italy rewards planning. It’s a country where advance reservations make sense—flights locked in early, hotels chosen carefully, museum tickets secured before arrival. But after years of traveling there, I’ve found that the experiences that matter most rarely come from the schedule. They come from how Italy organizes daily life around food—not as an attraction, but as infrastructure.
Meals in Italy are where time slows and relationships surface. They’re how places explain themselves. And increasingly, they’re where travelers gain the clearest understanding of how Italians actually live. Not in restaurants designed for visitors, but indoors, away from crowds, in kitchens that don’t announce themselves as special. A table pulled toward the light. A radio playing softly. Someone cooking while talking about something else entirely.
VENICE: AFTER THE CROWDS LEAVE
In Venice, it often starts late in the afternoon, once the city exhales. Inside a modest apartment, a local host clears the table without ceremony. Flour appears, eggs are cracked, and dough comes together with practiced confidence. Instructions are minimal—more suggestion than direction. When the dough resists, she presses it again, showing by example. You follow, imperfectly. She nods, adjusts the edge, and moves on. Outside, water laps against stone. Inside, time loosens.
PIEDMONT: LETTING LUNCH RUN LONG
North of Turin, the countryside settles into itself. Vineyards line narrow roads, and kitchens feel anchored to the land around them. Cooking begins earlier than expected and stretches longer than planned. Dough is rolled while a story drifts toward memory. Someone pauses to check the thickness, then resumes talking. Plates appear slowly. Lunch lingers because there’s nowhere else to be, and no reason to hurry.
EMILIA-ROMAGNA: PASTA AS SECOND NATURE
Outside Bologna and Modena, pasta making doesn’t begin with a lesson. It begins with clearing the table. Flour is poured by feel, eggs folded in without counting. The dough is worked while conversation continues uninterrupted. Tortellini are shaped quickly, almost instinctively. You’re shown once, then expected to try. Yours are uneven. No one comments. They’re folded and added to the rest. When the pot begins to boil, dinner quietly takes shape.
Afresco in front of a trullo in Puglia
UMBRIA: QUIET INSTRUCTION
In Umbria, everything slows. Ingredients come from the morning market. Cooking happens with fewer words. You’re shown a motion once, then handed the task. Correction comes gently—a hand guiding yours, a nod that says almost. The meal reflects restraint rather than flourish, shaped by what’s available and familiar. Silence isn’t awkward here. It’s part of the process.
PUGLIA AND SICILY: COOKING TOGETHER
Further south, kitchens grow louder again. In Puglia, cooking leans toward the communal. Dough is shared, sweets prepared the same way they’ve always been for gatherings and holidays. In Sicily, especially near Mount Etna, the land makes itself known. Recipes carry history, and the food feels grounded, purposeful. You’re less a student than a participant, folded into the rhythm of the room.
These moments aren’t staged. You’re not watching a demonstration; you’re joining someone’s routine. What stays with you isn’t just the food, but the ease that follows—how to cook without overthinking, how to host without performing, how to let a meal unfold.
Some travelers encounter kitchens like these by chance. Others seek them out through home-based cooking experiences offered by local hosts across Italy, including a Bologna-based network known as Cesarine.
However you arrive there, the takeaway is the same. The Italy people fall in love with isn’t curated. It’s lived.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
For travelers drawn to Italy, food offers one of the clearest paths to understanding how the country truly lives.
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A FRAGRANT FUTURE
Camille Beckman CEO Roshan RoghaniIshaq Shares How Brand Has Expanded
ARTICLE BY JORDAN GRAY
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY CAMILLE BECKMAN
If you’ve got a style, Camille Beckman has a brand and products to match.
Hard worker who prefers floral scents? That’s Camille Beckman, with its glycerine hand therapy jars topped with hand-tied pink rosettes.
Love natural ingredients? Cosmic Body has your skin and hair oils.
Milk Jelli stores capture cuteness
“I’m just too family-aligned to not go into the family business.”
Adore cuteness? Milk Jelli has bath bombs, face masks, and fruity fragrances.
A FAMILY BRAND AND A BRAND FAMILY
Susan Camille Beckman Roghani founded Camille Beckman in 1986. Now her daughter, Roshan RoghaniIshaq, serves as chief executive officer of the Eaglebased cosmetics business.
“I’m just too family-aligned to not go into the family business,” Roghani-Ishaq said.
She’s expanded the company since taking the reins, founding both Cosmic Body and Milk Jelli.
“Cosmic Body for me is really about rebelling against the industry that I'm in, in a way that is loving and that is thoughtful and that provides a great deal of value,” she said. “I personally like to have really clean products and so I felt it was imperative we create a brand that was to the extreme of goodness. We purchase all of our oils direct from farming
relationships. Every ingredient is highly considered as to its agricultural relationship to the earth.”
For Milk Jelli, adorable was key. Starting online, the business had great buzz, but low sales. It wasn’t until Roghani-Ishaq tried a two-month pop-up in Boise Towne Square that Milk Jelli found its niche.
“I've always loved brick-and-mortar retail,” she said. “A lot of people say it's dead, but it's not. It's just that you have to elevate the experience. We built something that is like an aspirational TikTok girls’ bedroom where girls can come and feel like that's their home.”
The pop-up was a success. Now, Milk Jelli has three stores, one in Idaho and two in Utah, with two more planned in additional states.
IDAHO MANUFACTURING
Staying family-owned and U.S.-based has meant turning down multiple offers and suggestions to
move manufacturing overseas. Instead, in 2000, Camille Beckman opened a 105,000-square-foot factory and store in Eagle.
“I would never sell it,” Roghani-Ishaq said. “We've gotten crazy offers to buy this business, but I can't. To me, it’s like my mother's moral compass that is imbued in it, and so that is providing jobs in the community. It's taking care of people.”
Roghani-Ishaq is also passionate about her products and their quality.
“Susan's core values are really quality-oriented, people-oriented, and American manufacturing-oriented. We have to become makers again if we are going to be successful in the long run as a country. For me, it's a fine balance with focusing on American manufacturing, but then also having great relationships with the best labs and the best manufacturers around the world for things that don't get manufactured in the United States.”
BUILDING THE LEGACY
The 35 acres that house Camille Beckman’s factory also hosts Chateau des Fleurs. The Chateau is home to weddings, concerts, and themed afternoon teas.
“That goes with the Camille Beckman ethos,” Roghani-Ishaq said. “We will leave a legacy where people have a chance to create generational memories. And so that's the story of the building.”
Also in the Chateau is Roghani’s Restaurant, which serves European and Persian cuisine. The menu is a reflection of the family, tying together Susan’s European heritage with husband Foad’s Iranian culture.
“It's been really exciting to be a part of that,” Roghani-Ishaq said. “Being a little bit more fearless to show people who we are and how beautiful it truly is to be a part of a family like this.”
THE NEXT STAGE
With an ever-expanding product portfolio and new risks in front of her, Roghani-Ishaq is looking to continue growing with her mother's words in mind.
“‘Stick to your values and to find ways to work with what you have in front of you and do your best with what's in front of you.’ That's definitely my mom's advice. That's how she built this company. That's how we continue to build.”
To learn more, visit camillebeckman.com
Camille Beckman is most well known for its glycerine hand therapy.
Memories in the Snow
Blue Moon Yurt Winter Weekend in McCall
Some trips are more than just a break from routine— they’re a chance to reconnect, laugh, and create lasting memories. Our girls’ weekend in McCall was one of those rare escapes, a pause in the rush of everyday life where friendship took center stage. The drive was filled with anticipation and warmth, even as the landscape grew colder and whiter. We shared jokes, swapped life updates, and arrived to a snowy playground promising adventure. We kicked off the weekend at the hot springs, laughing as we scooted down a snow-covered hill and
crawled across a wooden bridge to reach the warm water. Snowflakes drifted down as we chatted with friendly strangers, feeling as if we were inside a snow globe. Afterward, we checked into a spacious home just steps from the center of town, surrounded by snow and deer nibbling on the trees. Dinner that night was at a cozy Mexican restaurant in downtown McCall, followed by an evening filled with games and laughter.
The next day, our group split up for separate snow adventures—some went skiing at Brundage, while the rest
CONTINUED >
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY
ASHLEY LOEB
of us opted for magical snowshoe trek. The frosted evergreens glistening around us as we descended in the forest, hearing only the soft crunch of snowshoes beneath us as we gave ourselves “snow facials” and soaked in the beauty of the winter landscape.
Back at the house, we warmed up in the hot tub, dared each other to dip in the snow, then prepared for the highlight: a torch-lit snowshoe walk to a yurt in the forest. Like something out of a fairytale, the glow of string lights grew brighter and the scent of a fresh fire and countless candles inside created an ethereal atmosphere.
Inside, we gathered around family-style tables with our wine bottles, ready for a multi-course meal. Chef Lisa Whisnant introduced herself and described the culinary journey ahead. We started with homemade hot apple cider, followed by cheese and a signature asparagus and sesame seed appetizer. The salad tasted as if it had just been picked from the garden, and the main course—an unconventional but delicious preparation of fish and rice—was a true symphony of flavors. The pièce de résistance was a moist chocolate cake with homemade toppings, the perfect ending to a meal no one would expect to find in a yurt in the middle of the forest.
The trek back to our cars gave us time to reminisce about the incredible meal, and the walk was a welcome bit of movement after such a feast. Soon, we were back at the house, ready for a well-deserved rest before heading home the next morning. Of course, our journey home wasn't complete without stopping for pie at Volcanic Farms in Horseshoe Bend—a non-negotiable tradition!
The trip was so much fun that we’re already planning a return visit this year. Word has gotten out about this magical winter experience, so securing a seat can be tricky, but If you’re looking for a unique and enchanting winter getaway with friends, family or a significant other, add this one to your bucket list!
LOCAL
Really Means WHAT
“SHOPPING LOCAL STRENGTHENS IDAHO BY KEEPING DOLLARS IN OUR STATE, SUPPORTING JOBS, AND FOSTERING INNOVATION. THIS EVENT GIVES PEOPLE A CHANCE TO SEE, TASTE, AND EXPERIENCE THE INCREDIBLE BUSINESSES THAT MAKE IDAHO UNIQUE.”
On a winter morning in late February, the Idaho State Capitol takes on a different rhythm. The usual formality of the building gives way to conversation. Voices echo upward through the Rotunda, tables fill with locally made goods, and people linger—not because they have nowhere else to be, but because they’ve stopped to listen. That scene returns on February 25, 2026, when the Buy Idaho Capitol Show marks its 32nd year. From 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., more than one hundred Idaho-based businesses from across the state will gather inside the Capitol, turning
FOR THIRTY-TWO YEARS, THE BUY IDAHO CAPITOL SHOW HAS PRIORITIZED PEOPLE, PRESENCE, AND LOCAL PURPOSE
one of Idaho’s most recognizable civic spaces into a place for connection and exchange.
What has always set the Capitol Show apart is what it isn’t. There are no transactions, no checkout lines, no hard pitches. Instead, visitors are invited to meet the people behind Idaho-made products and services, sample local food, and ask questions—sometimes simple, sometimes deeply practical—about what it takes to build and sustain a business here. The result feels less like a trade show and more like an introduction, or perhaps a reunion.
For the organizers at Buy Idaho, that tone is intentional. For more than three decades, the show has been about visibility and access—creating space for small businesses to be seen and understood without the pressure to sell. Standing behind a table, explaining how something is made or why a service exists, remains one of the most direct ways to connect.
“The Buy Idaho Capitol Show is a powerful reminder of the impact that small businesses have on our state’s economy and communities,” says Jennifer Mauk, Executive Director of Buy Idaho. “Shopping local strengthens Idaho by keeping dollars in our state, supporting jobs, and fostering innovation. This event gives people a chance to see, taste, and experience the incredible businesses that make Idaho unique.”
That experience plays out differently for everyone who walks through the Rotunda. Some come looking for new local favorites. Others arrive with students in tow, using the day as a living lesson in entrepreneurship and career possibilities. Many simply wander, letting conversations unfold naturally—learning how a business began, why it stayed small, or what challenges come with choosing to remain local in a changing economy.
After 32 years, the Buy Idaho Capitol Show has endured because it reflects something steady about the state itself. It values relationships over transactions, presence over promotion. For one winter day, in a building meant for public life, Idaho’s small business community tells its story in person—quietly, honestly, and face to face.
Meridian + Valley Events
FEBRUARY 2026
1-15 — “NOW AND THEN” AT EAGLE THEATRE COMPANY
Eagle Performing Arts Center: Romantic comedy about the costs of the choices we make. eagletc.org
1 — MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL Morrison Center, 1 PM: A spectacular, high-energy musical experience. boise.broadway.com
6 — THE LIFE OF GALILEO
Morrison Center, 7:30 PM: Exploring courage, truth, and the fight against oppression. morrisoncenter.com
6-7 — SKIJOR BOISE
Ford Idaho Center: Fast horses, daring skiers, and full-throttle snow action. fordidahocenter.com
7 — THE MUSIC OF QUEEN Morrison Center, 7:30 PM: Queen’s music with live band and orchestra. boisephil.org
7 — 2026 WINTER CARNIVAL MARDI GRAS PARADE
Downtown McCall, 12 NN: Floats, flair, and festive energy in a lively Mardi Gras–style parade! visitmccall.org
7 — 29TH ANNUAL INDOOR TRIATHLON
Harward Recreation Center, 8:30 AM: Swim, bike, and run your way through this indoor multi-sport challenge. nampaparksandrecreation.org
7 — DADDY DAUGHTER DATE NIGHT
Harward Recreation Center, 7:30 PM: A magical night of music, dancing, and special memories for dads and daughters. nampaparksandrecreation.org
7-8 — WINTER WINE WEEKENDS
Split Rail Winery, 12 NN: Flight of Big Reds for the Big Game. idahowines.org
12 — PAINT YOUR PET
POP ART
Idaho Pups & Ales, 9 AM: Create a pop-art pet portrait in a fun, dog-friendly paint night. fb.com
12 — THEATRE ARTS CLASS
Orchard Park, 4:30 PM: A fun, creative class where kids act, sing, dance, and build confidence. mld.org
12 — WOO AT THE ZOO
Zoo Boise, 6 PM: An after-hours zoo night full of fun, drinks, and wild romance. zooboise.org
Knitting Factory, 8 PM: A romantic balcony evening with Casio Dreams, champagne, and chocolates. knittingfactory.com
13-15 — 31ST CANYON COUNTY SPRING HOME SHOW
Ford Idaho Center: Expert tips and fresh ideas for your lawn and garden. canyoncountyspringhomeshow.com
14 — WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE EXPO
Expo Idaho, 10 AM: Shop, learn, and connect with inspiring women and local creators. iblevents.com
14-15 — DREAM WEDDING EXPO
Expo Idaho: Bringing your wedding vision to life! iblevens.com
18 — CONVERSATIONS AT THE CENTER
Wassmuth Center, 6:30 PM: Connect, learn, and help shape a shared vision for the future. wassmuthcenter.app
18-28 — THE LION KING
Morrison Center: The return of Disney’s THE LION KING! morrisoncenter.com
20 — MATT MCCUSKER
Egyptian Theatre, 8 PM: The Healing Frequency Tour showclix.com
21 — MACC FAMILY CONCERT
Jewett Auditorium, 6 PM: A family night of music and hands-on fun. maccidaho.org
20-22 — DOUBT: A PARABLE
Stage Coach Theatre: A drama that keeps you guessing. broadwayworld.com
21 — CUPID’S UNDIE RUN
Tom Grainey’s Sporting Pub, 12 NN: Run, dance, and raise awareness for a great cause. ctf.org
21-22 — BOISE REPTILE EXPO
Expo Idaho: World of reptiles and exotic animals up close. showmereptileshow.com
25 — 32ND ANNUAL BUY IDAHO CAPITOL SHOW
Idaho State Capitol, 8 AM: Idaho’s best local businesses and products. buyidaho.org
28 — PROTECTING THE NEXT GENERATION
Boise Centre, 5 PM: Insights and action on safeguarding our children’s future. syringaspeakerseries.org
Something For Everyone
Start the new year with the Y, where you’ll find fitness, friendship, and opportunities to strengthen community.
From group classes to personal training and family and youth programs, there’s no place like this place —and it ’ s all waiting for you to get started.
