HEDC is spearheading a new way incentivize visitors and residents to buy at local businesses.
The Local Frequency is a smartphone app that directs businesses to local retailers and incentivizes purchases through in-app discounts, promotions and cash-back offers. The app is free and open for residents and visitors alike.
HEDC partnerw with the Juneau Economic Development Council to include Haines businesses on the app. Smartphone users can make purchases through the app with Local Dollars at participating businesses. Currently, Wildhaven Wools is the only business that excepts Local Dollars, but HEDC hopes that as the program gains traction, more businesses will participate.
You can find the Local Frequency on your smartphone’s app store or read more at the Local Frequency’s website.
If you are a business owner who would like to learn more about the program, email director@hainesedc.org.
Read more about businesses featured in the Local Directory:
Wildhaven Wools: High quality fiber arts store and studio featuring handmade merino wool apparel, luxury yarns, and gifts. Owner Julia Billings, who started crafting her own clothes in high school, uses a ‘grow-with-me” design that allows clothes to fit for years while keeping kids warm and dry. And, they come in stylish colors and designs with unique Alaskan touches. Visit Wildhavenwools.com or call 907-529-6019.
Wildhaven Wools accepts Local Dollars
Haines Packing: The locally-owned producer serves a wide selection of Southeast Alaskan seafood like sockeye salmon filets and shrimp packaged locally at the Letnikof Cove cannery. The Main Street shop also sells locally grown seasonal produce and unique gifts for home and kitchen. Call 907-766-3523 or visit Hainespacking.com for more information.
Sockeye Cycle: This Fort Seward shop offers rentals, repairs and guided bicycle tours around Haines as well as multi-day tours through Skagway and the Yukon. Tours include the three-day Valley of the Eagles around the Haines area, and the Golden Circle route (from Skagway to Whitehorse and back to Haines), which features some of the most spectacular highway riding in Alaska. Sockeye also has a large fleet of rental bikes and e-bikes, including equipment touring and camping gear for self-guided adventures. Call 907-766-2869 or visit Sockeyecycle.com.
Haines Brewing: This home-grown brewery produces high quality beers served on tap at the cozy Main Street location that is beloved by tourists and locals alike. Try favorites like the Captain Cook’s ale infused with local spruce tips or the Dalton Trail ale, which has been on tap since 1999. There are also special edition releases and barley wines. Owners Paul Wheeler and Jeanne Kitayama are usually on the premises serving up a fresh cold one with a warm smile and plenty of stories to tell. The brewery accepts cash only and closes at 8 p.m. nightly. Visit Hainesbrewing.com or call 907-766-3823.
Bookstore: This gem of a shop sells new books, cards, stationary, toys and gifts. The shop, owned by Amy Kane, has a robust collection of Alaskana and local books, as well as poetry and nonfiction. It also hosts occasional community events. Open year round. Visit Hainesbookstore.com or call 907-766-3356.
Port Chilkoot Distillery: This local micro-distillery handcrafts small batches of spirits that represent the unique character and flavors of Southeast Alaska. Try their artisanal cocktails at the cozy, timber-framed tasting room at Fort Seward. Canned cocktails are sold at the shop and at liquor stores around town and spirits are served at local bars. Take home bottled whiskey, absinthe or bitters made from local ingredients. Visit Portchilkootdistillery.com or call 907-917-2102.
Fairweather Ski Works: Owner and founder Graham Kraft hand-builds several types of skis, splitboards and snowboards out of locally harvested Sitka Spruce and birch at this Dalton City shop. The products include eye-catching graphics by local artists or you can submit your own artwork for a custom pair. Open occasionally. Visit Fairweatherskiworks.com or call 907-980-1745.
Adventure Harvest: This local shop specializes in artisan cocktail syrups, spice mixes and jellies using many locally grown or foraged ingredients like porcini mushrooms and fireweed. Alaskan-inspired gifts and custom engraving. Products can be found at various stores around town or for special occasions at the Dalton City shop. Visit Adventureharvest.com or call 907-766-3965.
Ampersand: Peruse fine arts at this cute shop on Main Street where you can find everything from steel sculptures to delicate watercolors to a vast collection of earrings and fiber arts. Ampersand specializes in local artists from Haines but has constantly evolving selections of arts from all corners of Alaska and the Yukon. Shipping available. Visit Facebook.com/Ampersand or call 907-766-3031.
Foundroot: Owners Leah Wagner and Nick Schlosstein bring their passion for sustainable local food systems to their newly-opened shop space at Dalton City. In addition to their Northern-climate tested seeds, Foundroot has high-quality gardening and kitchen gear, and an espresso bar that is open for special events. Visit Foundroot.com and get updates on hours at Facebook.com/foundroot.
Malo Nista: Chef Travis Kukull specializes in combining local ingredients like chantarelle mushrooms and seaweed with worldwide cuisine in his gourmet catering business. From rich, well-spiced meats to fresh breads and innovative vegan fare, Malo Nista has something for every occasion. Visit Malonista.com or call 206-399-3074.
SEAK Expeditions: This guide service offers full service tours on kayaks and packrafts and backpacking, as well as rentals to locals who have shown expertise in Alaska conditions. Expert certified guides offer multi-day trips on the Alsek River, Chilkat Islands, and more, plus a variety of day trips from Haines. SEAK Expeditions will also help shuttle your gear around Southeast Alaska for your own self-guided trip. Visit SEAKExpeditions.com or call 907-303-0234.
Three Northmen: This local meadery also bottles and serves hard cider and soda in their tasting room on Main Street, which packs a unique rustic timber-framed interior with moose, deer and caribou racks hanging from the wall and shells from the complimentary peanuts covering the floor. Meads are infused with special flavors like birch syrup, chaga and black spruce tips. Open 5-8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, plus on special occasions. Call 907-766-3535 or visit threenorthmen.com, where you can order bottled products for shipping.
Extreme Dreams: 7 miles down Mud Bay Road you’ll find a gem of an art shop tucked into the corner of Chilkat State Park. The gallery features art by the prolific John Svenson, whose mastery of different media extends from glass blowing to mosaics to fine watercolors. The cute shop, which also features work by his wife Sharon and other local artists. Open from 12-6 p.m. most days, but its advised to call in advance.