Juneau’s well-known outdoor retailer Foggy Mountain Shop has moved locations, but they’re just a hop and a skip away from their previous location on North Franklin.
Shop owners Courtney Nicholl and Sean Rielly celebrated the grand opening at the new location, now at 234 Seward St., the historic B.M. Behrends Building, on Friday, and despite the handful of congratulatory comments, it was business as usual.
“We’re just excited to be able to share the space with everyone, we’ve been working so hard on it throughout the year and it’s exciting to see people here,” said Nicholl.
Foggy Mountain Shop first opened its doors as Southeast Alaska’s first full-service backpacking, mountaineering, and Nordic ski shop in 1974 and at that time they were located on South Franklin until sometime in the late 1980s when they moved to their North Franklin location where they remained until now. It wasn’t as though there was anything wrong with the North Franklin location, as Nicholl explained, it was simply a matter of taking advantage of a good opportunity.
“The motivation behind the move was really just this building, it’s always been such a beautiful space, we saw it open and just thought it was an amazing opportunity,” said Nicholl. “We love the windows and the architecture and we think it’s just a special building in Juneau.”
Nicholl and Rielly both got their start with Foggy Mountain as staff employees who slowly over time worked their way up to eventually take over ownership from their bosses Scott and Betsy Fischer in 2014, Nicholl now having been with the company for 15 years and Rielly for 20.
If you missed this grand opening, you’ll have another chance for a re-grand opening this coming ski season. Nicholl and Rielly said they’ve got their eye set on this winter with plans in the works for art pieces and sales events. In the meantime, they’re just taking the rest of the summer to settle into the new space.
“People love it, everyone seems to be very excited about the move, so that’s encouraging. We couldn’t have done it without everyone who helped us,” said Rielly.
• Contact Jonson Kuhn at jonson.kuhn@juneauempire.com.
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Foggy Mountain Shop co-owner Courtney Nicholl helps customers find all of their outdoor gear and accessories at new location.
Merchandise is displayed at the new Foggy Mountain Shop location. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Foggy Mountain Shop co-owner Sean Rielly greets customers in new location. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Grand opening on July 8 for Foggy Mountain Shop at their new location on 234 Seward St. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
