May 28, 2007
Monday PM

Let me start out by saying that I used to work in the jewelry business both here in Ketchikan as well as Juneau and Skagway. That said, I too would like to see a more interesting variety of stores in our downtown. I would like to suggest, as an alternative to limits, that the City of Ketchikan provide incentives to other types of businesses and to businesses that operate year round. Financial incentives can be given to more then just large businesses like veneer plants. They could be used to give a new year round business a break during the winter until they have a chance to get established.

I would also like to ask that local property owners consider lowering the rent for year round businesses (I know there are a few that do, but most ask top dollar and jewelry stores are the only ones who can pay it). The few times I have looked into opening a business here, the rents for available places were so high I realized I would not be able to afford to do business without selling a large percentage of jewelry, which I didn't want to do.

Lastly, I'd like to ask locals to make a commitment to shop more with the business that do go to the effort and expense (utilities alone are pretty spendy) to stay open year round in town. Since I moved here year round in 1999 I have seen a number of small business try to stay open downtown in the winter for locals and fail miserably because they couldn't get enough business.

Remember, you can limit jewelry stores all you want, BUT, if you don't support the alternatives with your dollars, you'll still end up with empty storefronts because no one can afford to stay open year round just to make you happy.

Marie-Jeanne Cadle
Ketchikan, AK



Received May 2y, 2007 - Published May 28, 2007

About: " 20+ year Alaskan, 9 years in Ketchikan"

 

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