One 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.