Open & Shut: An Anchorage bar makes a comeback, and an outdoors outfitter goes co-op

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 in the area, send a note to reporter Annie Zak at azak@adn.com.

OPEN

Carousel Lounge: After closing in May 2016, the Carousel Lounge bar at 3206 Spenard Road has reopened under new ownership.

The bar had a soft opening April 20, said owner Paul Berger, and will have a grand opening in June. He originally wanted to open the spot under a new name — the Bar on Spenard — but people pushed back.

"As we were doing all the work over here, people were coming by every day asking what we were up to and if we were going to keep the name," he said. "A lot of people wanted to get the Carousel Lounge back. We had lots of people showing up to Assembly meetings, and numerous letters written in support for the bar and also the name."

The bar exterior used to be red with black and white stripes in homage to rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Now it has a new coat of dark paint, which Berger said might become a base for murals or art. The bar will have live music once a week, he said.

AK Legend Garden Center: This retail garden store that caters to the marijuana cultivation industry opened in recent weeks at 7900 King St. in South Anchorage.

The shop, which co-owner Jered Buss said is in the city's "Green Mile" of cultivators, sells hydroponic supplies, lights and more for indoor gardening.

"We felt there was room for another player in town," Buss said. "We're both growers and we both like what we do and … we felt there was a lack of community. Wanted a nice, cozy, cool, convenient little grow store. That's what we're shooting for."

Pure Barre: This fitness studio chain — which has franchises across the U.S. and Canada — opened its first Alaska spot at 3700 Old Seward Highway in mid-December. Owner Susie Grobler said it's the only fitness studio in Anchorage that focuses exclusively on barre workouts, which utilize the ballet barre.

"I wanted to open it because I think Alaska is filled with all this amazing activity we can do that's high-risk, high-reward," Grobler said. "Barre is a way to strengthen our bodies in a low-impact way and allow us to enjoy all the outdoor craziness we like to do."

Pure Barre's spot is where Alaska Wine Guy used to be, next to New Sagaya market.

6th Avenue Outfitters Co-Op: This retailer at 520 W. Sixth Ave. in downtown Anchorage has been converted into a member-owned cooperative. Customers can pay for a membership and get discounts in exchange, as well as other benefits.

"We thought this was something Alaskans would be interested in because it gives them savings but also gives them a say in the running of the business," said manager Paul Adelman. "In a way, it's a business strategy that we think is win-win."

The outdoor apparel and gear store opened in 1985.

[With $2 million liquidation sale, an Anchorage store chases larger goals]

Imagine It Alaska: This 3D printing and design business opened around the beginning of January at 7810 King St. in South Anchorage. Owner Levi Basler got into 3D printing as a hobby, stemming from the idea of bringing more manufacturing potential to Alaska.

"We wanted to invite local companies, businesses, people to explore 3D printing in their own industry and see how changes are being made in their own industry," he said. "It's a pretty wide range of possibilities."

He's been working with a couple of Alaska Native corporations, and most of his clients right now are businesses.

"We're in this development phase where we really want to get more people thinking about it," Basler said.

SHUT 

Sugar Shack Espresso: This coffee stand's location at East Fifth Avenue and Karluk Street closed Saturday after about a decade in business.

The stand lost its lease with nearby restaurant Lucky Wishbone, said Sugar Shack owner Gary Loyd.

"They gave us our eviction notice for May 1," Loyd said. "We appreciate all the customers that showed up there for 11 years and supported the Sugar Shack."

There's still another Sugar Shack Espresso location at C Street and West International Airport Road.