Business/Economy

Open & Shut: Electric bikes, outerwear and a restaurant

This is an installment of an occasional series in the Anchorage Daily News, taking a quick look at the comings and goings of businesses in Southcentral Alaska. If you know of a business opening or closing its doors in the area, send a note to reporter Annie Zak at azak@adn.com.

OPEN

Duluth Trading Co.: The Wisconsin-based outerwear and clothing chain will open its first Alaska location in Anchorage in March. Duluth Trading will be at 8931 Old Seward Highway in a space that used to be occupied by Sports Authority.

The company will hire 35 to 40 people, with most of those being part-time employees, spokeswoman Holly Dugan said in an email.

Duluth Trading will take up about 24,000 square feet, Dugan said — not the entirety of the space that Sports Authority used to occupy.

The Alaska eBike Store: This electric bike shop recently moved from 5610 Old Seward Highway into a new spot at 2229 Spenard Road. Owner Cary Shiflea said the store is open by appointment right now while he's waiting for peak cycling season to return. Probably sometime in late February or early March, the business will be open regularly during the week.

"We had it kind of set up in a warehouse district, testing the market with that," Shiflea said, "and as we saw clientele growing and business growing, we said, 'OK, we need a full retail space.' "

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The shop, which was in its old space for a couple of years, sells electric bikes, parts and accessories.

[Open & Shut: New bookstore and ice cream shop, plus two retail closures]

Lazy Dog Antiques & Collectibles: This antique shop moved over the summer from a spot at East Seventh Avenue and Karluk Street to 1340 Rudakof Circle, off DeBarr Road. The owner of the shop's previous building decided to sell the property, said customer service representative Chris Cuaresma.

The business, which sells housewares, furniture, knickknacks and more, has been around for more than 30 years.

SHUT

Downtown Grill: The restaurant at 802 Gambell St. announced on Facebook on Tuesday "with such heavy hearts" that it will close its doors Dec. 23.

"We shall remain open during regular business hours and private events until then, and then it's Goodbye Forever," the post said.

Downtown Grill opened in March 2013 and has a staff of eight to 10 people, said owner and chef Logan Stanley. He attributed the closure to the recession, adding that it didn't help when a neighboring gym that brought in good foot traffic closed its doors.

Annie Zak

Annie Zak was a business reporter for the ADN between 2015 and 2019.

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