Business

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)
SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19

SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19

Business owners encouraged to take peninsula-wide survey

SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19
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Seawatch: Report: 60% of comm-fish jobs are Alaskan

Alaska’s seafood industry puts 58,700 people to work.

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Longshore workers picket on the Homer Spit by Freight Dock Road on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. They were part of a group of about 20 Alaska International Longshore and Warehouse Union members or supporters holding an “area standards” picket in response to Chumley’s Inc. use of workers to load a sulfur hauler ship the ILWU alleges are paid substandard wages. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Longshore workers picket sulfur-ship loading

The “area standards” picket called for comparable wages and benefits for workers.

Longshore workers picket on the Homer Spit by Freight Dock Road on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. They were part of a group of about 20 Alaska International Longshore and Warehouse Union members or supporters holding an “area standards” picket in response to Chumley’s Inc. use of workers to load a sulfur hauler ship the ILWU alleges are paid substandard wages. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
In this December 2016 photo, cannabis plants grow in a standard cultivation space inside Croy’s Enterprises near Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Manufacturing license for new Homer pot shop gets OK from council

A new cannabis operation in Homer is another step closer to having all the licensing it needs in order to open. 420 on Main, if… Continue reading

In this December 2016 photo, cannabis plants grow in a standard cultivation space inside Croy’s Enterprises near Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. The law goes into effect on Oct. 1. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)

Smokefree workplace law takes effect Oct. 1

As of today, workers and customers of Alaska businesses who smoke or vape will have to take it outside — at least 10 feet away.… Continue reading

In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. The law goes into effect on Oct. 1. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)
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)
Brothers’ Cafe opens in Kenai Airport with focus on family and food made with love

Brothers’ Cafe opens in Kenai Airport with focus on family and food made with love

Brothers’ Cafe is the newest tenant inside the Kenai Municipal Airport restaurant space. The business venture reunited two brothers, Jim and Lyndell Hamilton, after more… Continue reading

Brothers’ Cafe opens in Kenai Airport with focus on family and food made with love
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)
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)
Dipnetter Brad Gamblin (left) digs in the sand of Kenai’s north beach with his grandchildren Stella (in blue) and Marly Wilson on Thursday, July 26, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. The three, plus grandmother Cher Gamblin, brought the grandchildren on their first dipnetting trip this year. The morning, Brad Gamblin said, “was very productive.” Getting up early, he said the family had caught a dozen salmon by 9 a.m. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai’s exclusivity offering fails to bring vendors to the dipnet

This year’s personal-use dipnet fishery hasn’t draw many vendors to the north and south beaches along the mouth of the Kenai River. Nor did the… Continue reading

Dipnetter Brad Gamblin (left) digs in the sand of Kenai’s north beach with his grandchildren Stella (in blue) and Marly Wilson on Thursday, July 26, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. The three, plus grandmother Cher Gamblin, brought the grandchildren on their first dipnetting trip this year. The morning, Brad Gamblin said, “was very productive.” Getting up early, he said the family had caught a dozen salmon by 9 a.m. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Shop Talk: Heather and Heather Screen Printing

Shop Talk: Heather and Heather Screen Printing

One of Heather Lawson’s signature phrases is “it’s all good.” So when she was traveling in Oregon and found a shirt with her favorite line,… Continue reading

Shop Talk: Heather and Heather Screen Printing
Pilot Alex Agosti inspects Kenai Aviation’s Cessna 206 before a flight with Kenai Aviation owner Joel Caldwell on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska. The family-owned aviation business flew passengers and cargo around the Cook Inlet region for 56 years before closing in September 2017 after the Cook Inlet oil field operators who were its primary customers consolidated and dropped investment in response to low oil prices. Caldwell bought the business early this year from Jim Bielefeld, son of founder Bob Bielefeld. Calwell plans to revive and expand Kenai Aviation into a statewide charter. Presently he and two other pilots — Agosti and Keith Ham — are offering flightseeing trips. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

With new owner, Kenai Aviation looking beyond Cook Inlet

When Kenai Aviation closed in late 2017, it left behind more than half a century of history at the Kenai Municipal Airport and a generation… Continue reading

Pilot Alex Agosti inspects Kenai Aviation’s Cessna 206 before a flight with Kenai Aviation owner Joel Caldwell on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska. The family-owned aviation business flew passengers and cargo around the Cook Inlet region for 56 years before closing in September 2017 after the Cook Inlet oil field operators who were its primary customers consolidated and dropped investment in response to low oil prices. Caldwell bought the business early this year from Jim Bielefeld, son of founder Bob Bielefeld. Calwell plans to revive and expand Kenai Aviation into a statewide charter. Presently he and two other pilots — Agosti and Keith Ham — are offering flightseeing trips. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Shop Talk: Reading Corner

When Aurora Kleinschmidt first opened the Reading Corner nearly four years ago, she said it was all a labor of love. The used bookstore works… Continue reading

Customers use Muddy Mutts self-service operations to clean their dog. (Photo courtesy of Nick Sorrell)

Shop talk: Muddy Mutts

Nick Sorrell, the owner of Muddy Mutts Pet Wash and Grooming, said he and his partner wanted to bridge a gap in the peninsula pet… Continue reading

Customers use Muddy Mutts self-service operations to clean their dog. (Photo courtesy of Nick Sorrell)
Customers use Muddy Mutts self-service operations to clean their dog. (Photo courtesy of Nick Sorrell)

Shop talk: Muddy Mutts

Nick Sorrell, the owner of Muddy Mutts Pet Wash and Grooming, said he and his partner wanted to bridge a gap in the peninsula pet… Continue reading

Customers use Muddy Mutts self-service operations to clean their dog. (Photo courtesy of Nick Sorrell)
Memories for sale: Nostalgic game shop opens in Soldotna

Memories for sale: Nostalgic game shop opens in Soldotna

Remember the large Blockbuster banner sign outside of the now-closed shop? The 14-foot by 7-foot sign is now inside of Beetle Boss — a nostalgic… Continue reading

Memories for sale: Nostalgic game shop opens in Soldotna
Memories for sale: Nostalgic game shop opens in Soldotna

Memories for sale: Nostalgic game shop opens in Soldotna

Remember the large Blockbuster banner sign outside of the now-closed shop? The 14-foot by 7-foot sign is now inside of Beetle Boss — a nostalgic… Continue reading

Memories for sale: Nostalgic game shop opens in Soldotna