Front Street sees opening of new businesses this spring

With the first cruise liner set to stop in Wrangell on April 25, returning visitors may notice a few changes along Front Street when stepping off the city dock.

Perhaps the first thing they will notice will be a facelift given to the dockside visitor shelter. Maintained by the Chamber of Commerce until its sale to the Stikine Inn last month, its new owners plan to add more rock and fresh materials to the multi-stall structure before the summer season gets underway. The renovation presages a three- to five-year expansion project the hotel is undertaking, which eventually will have the wooden shelter supplanted by permanent storefront space.

New businesses have been popping up along the business district's main drive as well. Last month Silver Liningz Boutique & Mugz n Thingz was opened up at the Churchill Building, just next door to GCI.

The shop is a first for owner Terie Loomis, recently arrived with her husband from Kenai. The idea for a storefront came during their drive down, listening to the story of HGTV "Fixer Upper" hosts and entrepreneurs Chip and Joanna Gaines.

Much like in the couple's story, Loomis said her husband had been spontaneously supportive of opening a store. "He was like 'let's just do it,'" she recounted. "He walked downtown and saw this space for rent," which worked out perfectly for them.

"We have mainly women's apparel, anywhere from dress to casual," she said of the store. The shop also carries clothing in an "abundantly beautiful range," as well as jewelry and cosmetics. Mugz n Thingz is a secondary part of her business, selling different pieces of pottery, honey, herbal teas and spices produced in-state.

As winter turns to spring and eventually summer, Loomis' shop will transition as well. "As I get into things, I'll be able to get more of a seasonal vibe going," she said. Mugz will feature additional mugs and Alaskan products suited to visitors, and the store will feature more summertime apparel.

Just across the street next to Zak's Cafe, another storefront will be opening its doors later this month. Angie Flickinger and Mya DeLong will be opening Groundswell, a combination store, gallery and place for workshops.

Both were already running businesses out of their homes. "We both were growing out of our home space," Flickinger. "So we put our heads together and thought what if we shared a space?"

She runs Gather & Grow Botanicals, which crafts various body care items and soaps. "I focus on using locally harvested, wild plants," she explained, and also items grown in her garden.

DeLong runs The Florist & The Fisherman, which specializes primarily in floral arrangements. "If I'm not doing flowers I'm out gillnetting," she said of the name. That side of the business will be the first dedicated florist the community has had in years. DeLong intends to do consultations and special events, but will also offer daily fresh-cut specials. "It would be a full-service floral shop," she explained.

Like Loomis, they saw the open storefront on Front Street and decided it would be perfect for their venture. With Groundswell, the pair hope to feature the works of other local artists and makers, based on a consignment model.

"In our retail shop we will be able to sell what people make," said Flickinger. "We will have sort of a curated collection of handmade and locally-made items for sale."

The front area will also be a venue for different crafting and hobby workshops, which DeLong explained may draw in artists both from the community and further afield.

Back across the street, upstairs in the Kadin Building, Clay Culbert and Heidi Milazzo are coordinating with other instructors the opening of a group fitness studio called Wrangell Fitness.

"We are a business in development," Culbert pointed out. Members of the studio have been working on certifications for various activities. Once ready for business, he explained they will focus on instructor-led workouts that are scientifically based.

"The plan is to be open this spring," he said.