local business

Danial Roberts, an employee at Viking Lumber Company, looks out at lumber from a forklift in Klawock, Alaska. (Courtesy of Viking Lumber Company)

Threads of the Tongass: The future of pianos and the timber industry

Timber operators say they are in crisis and unique knowledge, products will be lost

 

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire Sacred Ground baristas Raven Salduvar and Mackenzie Gray serve coffee in their new location, Aan Hít, on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

‘Healthy tribes make healthy communities’

Richard Peterson speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce about building opportunities for Juneau

 

People browse at the Hearthside Books branch in the Nugget Mall on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Hearthside Books and Toys finishes No. 8 in USA Today’s ‘10 Best Independent Bookstores’ poll

“I didn’t believe we were really going to make it,” owner says about newspaper’s Readers’ Choice Awards list.

 

Karen Levasseur (left), Cyndy Norbryhn (middle), and Jessica Estes and her daughter May, 7, chat at Rainforest Play Zone in the Mendenhall Mall on Friday, May 30, 2025. The play zone is moving to a different location in the mall, with Hearthside Books and Toys scheduled to move in Rainforest’s current space by September. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hearthside Books moving to kids’ play zone at Mendenhall Mall; mall’s owners step in to buy, relocate play area

Move of local bookstore from Nugget Mall announced same week Joanne closes it doors there.

Karen Levasseur (left), Cyndy Norbryhn (middle), and Jessica Estes and her daughter May, 7, chat at Rainforest Play Zone in the Mendenhall Mall on Friday, May 30, 2025. The play zone is moving to a different location in the mall, with Hearthside Books and Toys scheduled to move in Rainforest’s current space by September. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Olga Lijo Serans, owner of Hearthside Books, discusses its inclusion in USA Today’s voting competition to determine the “10 Best Independent Bookstores” in the U.S. at her Nugget Mall branch on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hearthside Books and Toys among 20 contenders in online vote for 10 best independent bookstores in US

USA Today contest that ends June 2 also includes famous stores such as Strand Book Store in NYC.

Olga Lijo Serans, owner of Hearthside Books, discusses its inclusion in USA Today’s voting competition to determine the “10 Best Independent Bookstores” in the U.S. at her Nugget Mall branch on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Pittman’s Pub owners say they won’t open at Eaglecrest this year due to cost, space difficulties

Couple says they would like to take over ski area’s restaurant, continue as a year-round operation.

Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Juneau Greens owner John Krapek prepares a box of fresh greens for a subscriber while Amy White serves customers at the other end of the long counter at the new hydroponic farm that opened in November at 7820 Honsinger Drive. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Turning over a new leaf: Juneau Greens grows fresh food

Indoor greenhouse and farm offers tastes of summer as short days and winter weather sets in.

Juneau Greens owner John Krapek prepares a box of fresh greens for a subscriber while Amy White serves customers at the other end of the long counter at the new hydroponic farm that opened in November at 7820 Honsinger Drive. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

New owner seeks to transfer Douglas Island Breeze In’s retail alcohol license to Foodland IGA

Transfer would allow company to take over space next to supermarket occupied by Kenny’s Liquor Market.

The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
El Sombrero opens the doors of its downtown restaurant for the final time Saturday after 45 years at the location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

El Sombrero says ‘hasta luego’ by closing restaurant after 45 years, with plans to open food truck

Downtown eatery owned by family for three generations who grew up alongside their customers.

El Sombrero opens the doors of its downtown restaurant for the final time Saturday after 45 years at the location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A customer approaches the entrance of the Breeze In in the Mendenhall Valley on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Breeze In bought by owner of IGA supermarkets, hours at two stores reduced starting Friday

Valley store still open 24/7, others to close at 10 p.m.; Kenny’s Liquor Market still open for now.

A customer approaches the entrance of the Breeze In in the Mendenhall Valley on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A row of businesses along South Franklin Street are closed on Friday, the day after the departure of the final cruise ship in Juneau during the 2024 season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Downtown businesses open after last ship leaves plan for lean winter, worry about proposed Douglas dock

Entire blocks along Franklin Street now shut down, but some stores seek to lure what locals they can.

A row of businesses along South Franklin Street are closed on Friday, the day after the departure of the final cruise ship in Juneau during the 2024 season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Meilani Schijvens (center), owner of Rain Coast Data, talks with attendees at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday before presenting results from an annual economic survey by her company. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Survey: Optimism of Southeast Alaska businesses down this year, but still second-highest since 2010

Tourism leaders most optimistic in Juneau, seafood industry most pessimistic, annual report states.

Meilani Schijvens (center), owner of Rain Coast Data, talks with attendees at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday before presenting results from an annual economic survey by her company. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Visit www.alaskasmarketplace.com to list classifieds and browse the local business directory. It’s a new online marketplace, made by Alaskans for Alaskans.

For Alaskans, by Alaskans: A new marketplace to buy and sell

It’s a website born out of necessity. Alaska’s Marketplace was built by Alaskans who were frustrated with the current options for buying, selling and trading… Continue reading

Visit www.alaskasmarketplace.com to list classifieds and browse the local business directory. It’s a new online marketplace, made by Alaskans for Alaskans.
Courtesy photo | Kaia Rongstad Personnel at Northland Audiology and Hearing Services demonstrates a new style of mask that allows the hearing-impared to see the user’s mouth, facilitating communication.

Read my lips: Local company designs PPE for the hearing-impaired

The specialized PPE is allowing audiologists to reopen

Courtesy photo | Kaia Rongstad Personnel at Northland Audiology and Hearing Services demonstrates a new style of mask that allows the hearing-impared to see the user’s mouth, facilitating communication.
Dave McCasland, owner of Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos, center, talks with Eric Plummer, left, and Brennen Brewer, of Peak Construction, as they set up food truck businesses at Gunakedeit Park, also known as Pocket Park, on Thursday, May 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Local business owners nervous about canceled cruises

The Southeast may be in for a severe economic shock.

Dave McCasland, owner of Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos, center, talks with Eric Plummer, left, and Brennen Brewer, of Peak Construction, as they set up food truck businesses at Gunakedeit Park, also known as Pocket Park, on Thursday, May 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska USA Federal Credit Union will be closing its office in the Sealaska Building. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska USA to close only downtown branch

A long-time bank branch in downtown Juneau will soon close. Alaska USA Federal Credit Union announced to customers this week that it will close its… Continue reading

The Alaska USA Federal Credit Union will be closing its office in the Sealaska Building. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alison Lewis, left, and Dr. Tamar Boyd, right, speak about women’s health care at Wellspring Integrative Medical Center on Thursday. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Biz Spotlight: Changing the conversation around post-pregnancy care

Struggling to heal emotionally and physically after pregnancy is normal. But it’s not something people talk about readily, said Dr. Tamar “Tam” Boyd, of Wellspring… Continue reading

Alison Lewis, left, and Dr. Tamar Boyd, right, speak about women’s health care at Wellspring Integrative Medical Center on Thursday. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)