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Industries related to cruise ships, like this one docked in downtown Juneau on July 26, 2021, were the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic according to a report from the McKinley Research Group. Senior economist at McKinley Jim Calvin says he’s concerned about businesses ability to hire enough workers going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Report: Labor challenges likely to impact pandemic recovery

Tourism troubles.

Industries related to cruise ships, like this one docked in downtown Juneau on July 26, 2021, were the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic according to a report from the McKinley Research Group. Senior economist at McKinley Jim Calvin says he’s concerned about businesses ability to hire enough workers going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska Seaplanes is helping form a new airline, Aleutian Airways, which will serve the Anchorage- Unalaska route beginning soon. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau-based airline expands to Southwest Alaska under new flag

The focus is initially going to be on a single service route.

Alaska Seaplanes is helping form a new airline, Aleutian Airways, which will serve the Anchorage- Unalaska route beginning soon. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau businesses now offer rewards through the Local Frequency application. The smartphone-based app aims to give locally-owned businesses loyalty, rebate, and promotion opportunities with a community-based twist. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

New app offers rewards for shopping local

The Local Frequency app is now available

Juneau businesses now offer rewards through the Local Frequency application. The smartphone-based app aims to give locally-owned businesses loyalty, rebate, and promotion opportunities with a community-based twist. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Meilani Schijvens, owner of Rain Coast Data, shared the 2021 Business Climate Survey results with members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. The data show that the pandemic-related tourism restrictions battered communities in Southeast Alaska. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Business climate survey shows pandemic’s outsize local impact

Southeast Alaska one of the country’s hardest-hit areas

Meilani Schijvens, owner of Rain Coast Data, shared the 2021 Business Climate Survey results with members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. The data show that the pandemic-related tourism restrictions battered communities in Southeast Alaska. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Alex Alf, cultivation manager at Stoned Salmon Farms, displays a marijuana variety called Blissful Wizzard, on April 16. He said this variety of marijuana was developed to relieve epilepsy symptoms. Alf said that cultivating marijuana in Alaska requires experimentation to fine-tune the final product. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Checking in on a budding local industry

Even in the face of pandemic, business stays high.

Alex Alf, cultivation manager at Stoned Salmon Farms, displays a marijuana variety called Blissful Wizzard, on April 16. He said this variety of marijuana was developed to relieve epilepsy symptoms. Alf said that cultivating marijuana in Alaska requires experimentation to fine-tune the final product. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
House lawmakers are hoping to see at least some cruise ship passengers like these seen in this Sept. 2017 file photo, and passed a resolution urging Congress and the president to take action on behalf of Alaska's tourist sector. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

House OKs resolution urging federal action to allow cruise ships to come to Alaska

Juneau’s lawmakers say tourism needed for Southeast.

House lawmakers are hoping to see at least some cruise ship passengers like these seen in this Sept. 2017 file photo, and passed a resolution urging Congress and the president to take action on behalf of Alaska's tourist sector. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau’s breweries, with a funds-matching donation from the Rasmuson Foundation, donated $36,000 to the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation to assist with relief from last year’s fatal landslides as part of the “Pour the Love” fundraiser on March 30, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Meghan Chambers)

Pilgrimage of pints raises thousands of dollars for Haines

The Pour the Love event was a big success

Juneau’s breweries, with a funds-matching donation from the Rasmuson Foundation, donated $36,000 to the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation to assist with relief from last year’s fatal landslides as part of the “Pour the Love” fundraiser on March 30, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Meghan Chambers)
This June 2016 photo shows then-Alaska Marijuana Control Board member Brandon Emmett at the board's meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Regulators amid much fanfare in early 2020 approved the first cannabis lounges in Alaska. It was a milestone for the state's legal marijuana industry. Then the pandemic hit. An owner of one of the shops hopes to open later this year. An owner of the other said his shop opened briefly last fall before having to hit pause amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across the state. Emmett, a former member of the Marijuana Control Board who strongly advocated for rules to allow onsite use, said he thinks the number of cannabis lounges or cafes in the state will be limited "for at least a couple years." (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Pandemic puts pause on on-site use for some Alaska pot shops

By Becky Bohrer Associated Press Regulators amid much fanfare in early 2020 approved two cannabis lounges in Alaska, making it one of the few states… Continue reading

This June 2016 photo shows then-Alaska Marijuana Control Board member Brandon Emmett at the board's meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Regulators amid much fanfare in early 2020 approved the first cannabis lounges in Alaska. It was a milestone for the state's legal marijuana industry. Then the pandemic hit. An owner of one of the shops hopes to open later this year. An owner of the other said his shop opened briefly last fall before having to hit pause amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across the state. Emmett, a former member of the Marijuana Control Board who strongly advocated for rules to allow onsite use, said he thinks the number of cannabis lounges or cafes in the state will be limited "for at least a couple years." (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Gold Town Theater’s new drive-in location at the downtown subport lot hosts a fully armed and operational screen for all-weather conditions.

New faces downtown: Drive-in theater settles into new home

The Gold Town Theater’s drive-in gets lively with its showings.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Gold Town Theater’s new drive-in location at the downtown subport lot hosts a fully armed and operational screen for all-weather conditions.
Juneau’s Salvation Army thrift store, shown here on Feb. 12, 2021, has been glanced but not stopped by the pandemic, a Salvation Army officer said. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Secondhand stores hang tough amid pandemic

Demand hasn’t yet outrun the charity of Juneau residents.

Juneau’s Salvation Army thrift store, shown here on Feb. 12, 2021, has been glanced but not stopped by the pandemic, a Salvation Army officer said. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s breweries are holding a fundraiser called “Pour the Love,” its logo shown above, to benefit the town of Haines, recently hammered by massive landslides. (Courtesy Art/ Celia Bower and Tulsi Zahnow)

Juneau breweries hold joint fundraiser for Haines relief efforts

The Juneau Four are piling in to help a town dear to their hearts.

Juneau’s breweries are holding a fundraiser called “Pour the Love,” its logo shown above, to benefit the town of Haines, recently hammered by massive landslides. (Courtesy Art/ Celia Bower and Tulsi Zahnow)
Midgi Moore, CEO of Juneau Food Tours, holds up a Taste Alaska! Alaska Sweetheart Box inside Juneau Food Tours' new location on Shattuck Way. The boxes, which were launched in June, are a way for Juneau Food Tours to give people a taste of the capital city amid the pandemic. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Thinking inside the box: Food tour business has new location, delivery product

Delivery box gives people a taste of Alaska wherever they are.

Midgi Moore, CEO of Juneau Food Tours, holds up a Taste Alaska! Alaska Sweetheart Box inside Juneau Food Tours' new location on Shattuck Way. The boxes, which were launched in June, are a way for Juneau Food Tours to give people a taste of the capital city amid the pandemic. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Spruce Root business development manager Paul Hackenmueller, Village Coffee Company owner Justyne Wheeler, Foundroot co-owner Leah Wagner, Spruce Root Board Chairwoman Susan Bell and Spruce Root programs manager Ashley Snookes smile together after the presentation of the Path to Prosperity awards Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

These two Southeast businesses just won $25K

Alaska-ready seeds and village’s first drive-thru earn awards.

Spruce Root business development manager Paul Hackenmueller, Village Coffee Company owner Justyne Wheeler, Foundroot co-owner Leah Wagner, Spruce Root Board Chairwoman Susan Bell and Spruce Root programs manager Ashley Snookes smile together after the presentation of the Path to Prosperity awards Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Downtown bar closes for business

Downtown bar closes for business

Monthly drag shows are still planned.

Downtown bar closes for business
Udderly Merged: After three decades, local sandwich-sweet shop sells to competitor

Udderly Merged: After three decades, local sandwich-sweet shop sells to competitor

Two competing shops team up.

Udderly Merged: After three decades, local sandwich-sweet shop sells to competitor
Here’s where you can eat, shop and drink on Thanksgiving Day in Juneau

Here’s where you can eat, shop and drink on Thanksgiving Day in Juneau

There aren’t many options.

Here’s where you can eat, shop and drink on Thanksgiving Day in Juneau
Four new Juneau entrepreneurs share struggles, motivations

Four new Juneau entrepreneurs share struggles, motivations

This is what it takes to open a business in Juneau.

Four new Juneau entrepreneurs share struggles, motivations
Crystal clear: First-time Juneau business owner enjoys her new adventure

Crystal clear: First-time Juneau business owner enjoys her new adventure

A one-stop shop for wellness.

Crystal clear: First-time Juneau business owner enjoys her new adventure
Brad Robbins, the new owner of the Hooked Seafood Company, holds a fresh king salmon at their Industrial Boulevard location on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Hooked Seafood closes its doors

After nearly 30 years and 3 owners, the local seafood supplier cuts its line.

Brad Robbins, the new owner of the Hooked Seafood Company, holds a fresh king salmon at their Industrial Boulevard location on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Game On announced July 3 that the video game store in Nugget Mall was closing. The closure was caused by both financial and family challenges, according co-owner Casey Harris. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

LGBTQ-friendly video game store closes

Despite Kicksterter campaign, it’s game over for Game On.

Game On announced July 3 that the video game store in Nugget Mall was closing. The closure was caused by both financial and family challenges, according co-owner Casey Harris. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)