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Marijuana plants are shown at a California Street Cannabis Company location in San Francisco on March 20, 2023. Along the West Coast, which has dominated U.S. marijuana production from long before legalization, producers are struggling with what many call the failed economics of legal pot...a challenge inherent in regulating a product that remains illegal under federal law. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Part party, part call to action: A look at pot holiday 4/20

Examining cannabis culture’s high holiday.

Marijuana plants are shown at a California Street Cannabis Company location in San Francisco on March 20, 2023. Along the West Coast, which has dominated U.S. marijuana production from long before legalization, producers are struggling with what many call the failed economics of legal pot...a challenge inherent in regulating a product that remains illegal under federal law. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Leeann Thomas, third-generation owner of the Triangle Club, stands before the business her grandfather started in 1947. The location has a long history of Juneau businesses. (Laurie Craig / For the Downtown Business Association)

Rooted in Community: The Triangle Club and 76 years of the Thomas family

Historical photos hang in the building that once housed the famous Winter and Pond photo studio.

Leeann Thomas, third-generation owner of the Triangle Club, stands before the business her grandfather started in 1947. The location has a long history of Juneau businesses. (Laurie Craig / For the Downtown Business Association)
Angie Flickinger harvests spruce tips in Wrangell. (Courtesy Photo / Asia Dore Photography)

Planet Alaska: Waterbody — Celebrating place

Wrangell is not a place you might imagine there’d be a skin care company…

Angie Flickinger harvests spruce tips in Wrangell. (Courtesy Photo / Asia Dore Photography)
During winter 2022-23, contractors replace the awning structure on the 1904-1913 Valentine Building. The historic building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Its location at the corner of Front and Seward streets is also within Juneau’s Downtown Historic District. (Laurie Craig / For the DBA)

Rooted in Community: The historic Valentine Building and the Findley Family

Many shops have occupied the Seward Street storefronts while Juneau Drug anchors the corner space.

During winter 2022-23, contractors replace the awning structure on the 1904-1913 Valentine Building. The historic building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Its location at the corner of Front and Seward streets is also within Juneau’s Downtown Historic District. (Laurie Craig / For the DBA)
Kristi Elliott, owner of Juneau International Airport’s gift shop Hummingbird Hollow Gifts, stands with Debra Holman to review inventory. If the airport moves forward with proposed plans to reconfigure the allocated space for the gift shop, Elliott said it could dramatically limit the current wide selection of inventory Hummingbird Hollow Gifts offers, which then cuts down their overall revenue. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Change is in the wings for the airport gift shop

Hummingbird Hollow Gifts’ contract expires in September, request for proposals is open.

Kristi Elliott, owner of Juneau International Airport’s gift shop Hummingbird Hollow Gifts, stands with Debra Holman to review inventory. If the airport moves forward with proposed plans to reconfigure the allocated space for the gift shop, Elliott said it could dramatically limit the current wide selection of inventory Hummingbird Hollow Gifts offers, which then cuts down their overall revenue. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Cars fill the parking lot outside of Driftwood Lodge in downtown Juneau Monday morning. The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska recently announced it’s purchase of the site.

Tlingit and Haida purchases downtown Driftwood Lodge

The building is located near Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall and Foodland IGA.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Cars fill the parking lot outside of Driftwood Lodge in downtown Juneau Monday morning. The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska recently announced it’s purchase of the site.
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Matt Cook, new Dealer Principal of Juneau Auto Mall, formerly Mendenhall Auto Center, poses for a photo on Wednesday. Cook took over ownership officially on Wednesday, March 1.

Ownership transition drives change at dealership

Juneau Auto Mall, formerly known as Mendenhall Auto Center, officially opened its doors on March 1.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Matt Cook, new Dealer Principal of Juneau Auto Mall, formerly Mendenhall Auto Center, poses for a photo on Wednesday. Cook took over ownership officially on Wednesday, March 1.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Dale Hudson holds his phone showing a photo of him and his late wife, Suzanne, dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Dale is in the process of liquidating his wife’s store, Nana’s Attic, after her recent death in late February.

Unique downtown Juneau antique store to close following owner’s death

Family expressed gratitude for community support of Nana’s Attic

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Dale Hudson holds his phone showing a photo of him and his late wife, Suzanne, dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Dale is in the process of liquidating his wife’s store, Nana’s Attic, after her recent death in late February.
Hailey Stockton helps her dog Marlie pose for a photo behind the kissing booth at McGivney’s Downtown as part of Pawlentine’s Day on Saturday, hosted by Juneau’s Downtown Business Association. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Downtown Juneau goes to the dogs

Local businesses celebrate Pawlentine’s Day with event.

Hailey Stockton helps her dog Marlie pose for a photo behind the kissing booth at McGivney’s Downtown as part of Pawlentine’s Day on Saturday, hosted by Juneau’s Downtown Business Association. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Lanie Downs with Cruise Lines International Association Alaska addresses the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce along with other members of the community on cruise line projections and economic impact expected for 2023.

Cruise ships projected to be closer to capacity this season

Last year ships were about 74% full, industry official says 90% projected for 1st quarter 2023.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Lanie Downs with Cruise Lines International Association Alaska addresses the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce along with other members of the community on cruise line projections and economic impact expected for 2023.
Reed Stoops bikes stationary with other athletes during a High Cadence Triathlon Team workout at the Dimond Park Field House Thursday evening. Many athletes are still deciding what to do after it was announced in mid-December the Ironman Group announced its decision to cancel the Ironman Alaska races for 2023 and 2024.

Ironman Alaska aftermath: Looking back at the impact of the first and — for now — last Ironman race in Alaska

Economic ripple could be felt across the state.

Reed Stoops bikes stationary with other athletes during a High Cadence Triathlon Team workout at the Dimond Park Field House Thursday evening. Many athletes are still deciding what to do after it was announced in mid-December the Ironman Group announced its decision to cancel the Ironman Alaska races for 2023 and 2024.
A “sold” sign hangs outside the property that formerly housed Walmart in early December after it was announced it has been purchased by U-Haul. Company officials recently shared plans to unveil a temporary showroom at its new location by the end of January. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Moving fast: U-Haul plans to open doors at the end of the month for temporary showroom

The company is looking to hire around 15 people, according to U-Haul Company of Alaska president.

A “sold” sign hangs outside the property that formerly housed Walmart in early December after it was announced it has been purchased by U-Haul. Company officials recently shared plans to unveil a temporary showroom at its new location by the end of January. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Margaret Mimnaugh with Tidal Creations from Ketchikan sets up her seasonal creations made with found hand painted sea urchin shells, along with snowmen and jelly fish at this year’s Stocking Stuffer Showcase on Saturday the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Stocking up for the holidays

Annual $25 and under market boasts biggest turnout yet.

Margaret Mimnaugh with Tidal Creations from Ketchikan sets up her seasonal creations made with found hand painted sea urchin shells, along with snowmen and jelly fish at this year’s Stocking Stuffer Showcase on Saturday the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire McKinley Research Group President Susan Bell, left, and CBJ Tourism Manager Alexandra Pierce discuss the results of an annual survey of residents about tourism during the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon Thursday at the Juneau Moose Family Center.

Leaders: Record cruise tourism, limits both possible

City may see record number of tourists next year, but residents want cap on ships, businesses told.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire McKinley Research Group President Susan Bell, left, and CBJ Tourism Manager Alexandra Pierce discuss the results of an annual survey of residents about tourism during the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon Thursday at the Juneau Moose Family Center.
This photo shows downtown Juneau in late October. Between July and September of this year, the City and Borough of Juneau collected more than $20.2 million in sales tax revenue — equalling $2.3 million more than originally expected. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Summer quarter brings in $2.3M more than expected in sales tax

City official say “take it with a grain of salt.”

This photo shows downtown Juneau in late October. Between July and September of this year, the City and Borough of Juneau collected more than $20.2 million in sales tax revenue — equalling $2.3 million more than originally expected. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Senior assistant captain Anna Dale attempts to stuff the net during a home game between Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Varsity hockey team and the Kenai Central Kardinals at the Treadwell Arena Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears topple Kardinals on home ice

The team won with a score of 4-2

Senior assistant captain Anna Dale attempts to stuff the net during a home game between Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Varsity hockey team and the Kenai Central Kardinals at the Treadwell Arena Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Maddie Kombrink poses in the lobby of Coppa Cafe where she is now the new owner after working as an employee on and off for the last five years.

Former employee now calling the shots for popular cafe

New ownership takes over at Coppa.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Maddie Kombrink poses in the lobby of Coppa Cafe where she is now the new owner after working as an employee on and off for the last five years.
A larger-than-life reindeer awaits holiday shoppers near an entrance at Nugget Mall on Wednesday, where there were no obvious “Black Friday” signs or banners on display, but merchants are nonetheless readying sales prices in the hopes of luring an increased flow of traffic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Black Friday looking less bleak

Economic and weather storms a setback, but post-pandemic participation by shoppers promising

A larger-than-life reindeer awaits holiday shoppers near an entrance at Nugget Mall on Wednesday, where there were no obvious “Black Friday” signs or banners on display, but merchants are nonetheless readying sales prices in the hopes of luring an increased flow of traffic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Centennial Hall, seen here, will host the 40th annual Juneau Public Market along with the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Nov. 25-27. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Public Market returns for 40th year

Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market runs same weekend.

Centennial Hall, seen here, will host the 40th annual Juneau Public Market along with the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Nov. 25-27. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
FILE - Exterior of the Kroger grocery store in Novi, Mich., is seen Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Two of the nation's largest grocers are planning to merge. Kroger said Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, it has agreed to acquire Albertsons in a $20 billion deal. (Ed Pevos / Ann Arbor News)

Kroger seeks to create grocery giant in $20B Albertsons bid

If approved by regulators, the deal is expected to close in early 2024.

FILE - Exterior of the Kroger grocery store in Novi, Mich., is seen Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Two of the nation's largest grocers are planning to merge. Kroger said Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, it has agreed to acquire Albertsons in a $20 billion deal. (Ed Pevos / Ann Arbor News)