Business

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.

The ripple effect: How local spending builds stronger communities on the Kenai Peninsula

From cozy cafés to fine-dining bistros, purchases made close to home sustain local jobs and services

 

Finding the magic of the holidays close to home in the Kenai Peninsula

Kick things off Thanksgiving weekend at the Kenai Arts & Crafts Fair

 

Support your friends and neighbors by shopping close to home this holiday season. Photo credit: Canva stock.

Keeping it local: How shopping close to home strengthens Kenai

Every dollar spent locally helps create jobs, fuel community growth and keep Kenai’s spirit strong

 

Black Press Media concludes transition of ownership

Hyperlocal news network Black Press Media, which operates Sound Publishing, completed its sale Monday (March 25), following the formerly announced corporate restructuring. The sale comes… Continue reading

  • Mar 26, 2024
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Northern Kenai Peninsula Area Manager Colton Lipka shares information with Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Council Chair Mike Crawford as the advisory council deliberates their position on a proposal to the Board of Fish during a meeting at Cook Inlet Aquaculture in Kenai, Alaska on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Advisory council wraps up Fish and Game recommendations

The Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Council met Thursday to discuss their position on the final set of proposals to the Board of Fish and… Continue reading

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Northern Kenai Peninsula Area Manager Colton Lipka shares information with Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Council Chair Mike Crawford as the advisory council deliberates their position on a proposal to the Board of Fish during a meeting at Cook Inlet Aquaculture in Kenai, Alaska on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A boat is lifted out of the water at Northern Enterprises Boat Yard on Kachemak Drive. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Northern Enterprise Boat Yard in Homer expands business

The largest privately owned dry dock marina in Alaska is expanding its docks and boat-lifting capabilities

A boat is lifted out of the water at Northern Enterprises Boat Yard on Kachemak Drive. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Fishing charters ask for modified regulations during COVID-19 pandemic

Fishing charters ask for modified regulations during COVID-19 pandemic

Fishing charters are currently allowed to operate at 50% capacity with people from different households.

Fishing charters ask for modified regulations during COVID-19 pandemic
Alaskan Cannabis Outfitters, a new cannabis retail store, is located right at Mile 168 Sterling Highway just before the road turns toward Baycrest Hill. The store opened on 4/20 — April 20, 2020 — in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer area’s newest pot shop opens on 4/20

“The stars aligning for it to happen on 4/20 was the cherry on top.”

Alaskan Cannabis Outfitters, a new cannabis retail store, is located right at Mile 168 Sterling Highway just before the road turns toward Baycrest Hill. The store opened on 4/20 — April 20, 2020 — in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Homer News offices at 3482 Landings Street, as seen on March 17, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer News, Peninsula Clarion and Juneau Empire win awards

A Facebook live announcement was held and the results released on April 18.

The Homer News offices at 3482 Landings Street, as seen on March 17, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Commercial fishing boats are rafted together in May 2016 in the harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Fishermen trying to salvage season amid COVID-19 pandemic

Facing an uncertain future as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, Alaska’s commercial fishing industry is looking ahead to the upcoming season with determination to salvage… Continue reading

Commercial fishing boats are rafted together in May 2016 in the harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Looking at the meaning of well-being

By James McCusker The arrival of the new year is a time for making resolutions. Some will involve small things, like giving up morning munchies,… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2019
Kenai works to attract new business

Kenai works to attract new business

Kenai is open for business. Several entrepreneurs have chosen to set up shop in Kenai, like the new Brothers’ Cafe, Puffin Chiropractor, and Magical Gardens.… Continue reading

Kenai works to attract new business
Shop Talk: Fresh365 provides fresh greens

Shop Talk: Fresh365 provides fresh greens

Fresh365, a hydroponic farm atop Whistle Hill in Soldotna, is looking to innovate how farmers and restaurateurs do business on the Kenai Peninsula. Owned by… Continue reading

Shop Talk: Fresh365 provides fresh greens
East Rip, a new marijuana retailer, is photographed on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. The new business is situated in a busy, central part of Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

East Rip: The peninsula’s newest cannabis shop opens in Kenai

East Rip is the peninsula’s newest recreational marijuana retailer, and the first cannabis business located in Kenai’s compact commercial center. Ryan Tunseth has been working… Continue reading

East Rip, a new marijuana retailer, is photographed on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. The new business is situated in a busy, central part of Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Customers pick out plants during the Central Peninsula Garden Club’s annual plant sale at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church on Kalifornsky Beach Road on Saturday, June 9, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The annual plant sale is always popular — this year, volunteers said that there was a massive crowd gathered even before the sale opened at 10 a.m., nearly clearing out the tables in less than two hours. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Shop Talk: Central Peninsula Garden Club begins new year of monthly programs

Since 2007, the Central Peninsula Garden Club has been educating and connecting gardeners in the area. Renae Wall has been serving as the nonprofit’s president… Continue reading

Customers pick out plants during the Central Peninsula Garden Club’s annual plant sale at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church on Kalifornsky Beach Road on Saturday, June 9, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The annual plant sale is always popular — this year, volunteers said that there was a massive crowd gathered even before the sale opened at 10 a.m., nearly clearing out the tables in less than two hours. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Kacey Cooper plays with some of the smaller dogs staying at her kennel on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Shop Talk: Cooper’s Wounded Bear Farm and Kennels

Kacey Cooper has always worked with dogs, so opening her own dog kennel was a natural fit. “For my first job I would go around… Continue reading

Kacey Cooper plays with some of the smaller dogs staying at her kennel on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Pamela Parker, co-owner of Everything Bagels, started the bagel shop with her husband, Matt Parker, and friends, Brooke and John Campbell, in 2016 on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Everything Bagels: Bringing a big city favorite to a small town

What started as a way to pass time has flourished into Pamela and Matt Parker’s full-time gig. When the two moved to the peninsula over… Continue reading

Pamela Parker, co-owner of Everything Bagels, started the bagel shop with her husband, Matt Parker, and friends, Brooke and John Campbell, in 2016 on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Laurie and Brian Olson at their farm on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, near Soldotna, Alaska. The couple was recently named Farm Family of the Year by the Alaska State Fair. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Shop Talk: Alaska Berries

Alaska Berries is exactly what it sounds like. Owners Laurie and Brian Olson cultivate a large variety of berries, from saskatoons to haskaps and everything… Continue reading

Laurie and Brian Olson at their farm on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, near Soldotna, Alaska. The couple was recently named Farm Family of the Year by the Alaska State Fair. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Dale Bagley on top of the roof of his business, Redoubt Realty, where he installed 48 solar panels earlier this summer on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Solar power growing on peninsula

Stephen Trimble wants everyone to know that the business of solar power is growing. His company, Arctic Solar Ventures Corporation, has been installing more and… Continue reading

Dale Bagley on top of the roof of his business, Redoubt Realty, where he installed 48 solar panels earlier this summer on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. Jennifer Reed and Dr. Adam Hawkins with their rottweiler, Tank, who is training to be Reed’s service dog. (Photo courtesy of Puffin Chiropractic)

Shop Talk: Puffin Chiropractic

Jennifer Reed said she was never coming to Alaska. A Texas native, Reed couldn’t see herself quitting her job and moving 4,000 miles away from… Continue reading

Dr. Jennifer Reed and Dr. Adam Hawkins with their rottweiler, Tank, who is training to be Reed’s service dog. (Photo courtesy of Puffin Chiropractic)