local business

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.

 

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 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.

 

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)