shopping
Cocoa the Reindeer @ Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
by Amy Nordrum · 1 Comment
Visit with Cocoa the Reindeer in celebration of Winter Solstice outside of Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop. Cocoa loves to pose for photos with fans of all ages! Hot chocolate and cookies served inside, and door prizes will be handed out all nght long. Come and celebrate the return of the sun!
When:
Wednesday, December 21st 5:00pm-8:00pm
Where:
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
201 Cushman Street
Phone:
(907)456-7080
shopping
WIN SPECIALTY FOODS FROM IF ONLY… A FINE STORE
by Amy Nordrum · 1 Comment
Did you know you can find hand-twisted candy canes, bright natural pastas colored with beets and squid ink, and cucumber wasabi dip at If Only… a Fine Store on Cushman Street?
And this holiday season, you can win a basket of the most coveted treats in their collection or a gift certificate during the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice.
If Only… a Fine Store has debuted their annual line of specialty foods and some of the hottest (tastiest) products are going fast. Cocktail stirrers are a big hit this year, as are buttery caramels, dark chocolate bark, and artisanal crackers.
“We really look for quality product. We pay attention to ingredients,” says Georjean Seeliger, co-owner with Rebecca Morse. Each product has been tested for visual appeal, vendor integrity, and that “Wow” flavor factor.
Kosher, gluten-free, natural, and organic products are a big part of the 2011 mix as well as hard-to-find items like vanilla beans, bitters, vinegars, and spices (powdered jalapeno, anyone?).
“All of the balsamics we have are put in an oak cask and get their color through time. They’re aged—they don’t get color through additives,” Georjean points out. One of the fine oils she carries, Colheita Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Portugal, was named among the 2010 Top 200 Olive Oils Worldwide.
Georjean and Rebecca take pride in offering items that can be bought as personal treats, but also make great gifts.
As a gift to loyal customers, If Only… a Fine Store is offering a chance to win a basket of specialty foods for those who mention both “Specialty Foods” and “21 Days of Solstice” to the cashier when shopping in the store.
Stop in before noon on December 24th and your name will be entered into a drawing for each visit (where to park? look here.) On Christmas Eve, a lucky winner will pick up a basket of pastas, soups, spices, mustards, candies, and dips to share with family and friends.
Get a taste (har, har) of the selection and flavors now available at If Only… a Fine Store with the following products, diligently tested and reviewed by DTA staffers. (We love our jobs.)
- Classy Delites Pistachio Roasted Pepper Dip ($9.50 for 12 oz.) A favorite of both Kara and David. Comparable to guacamole but with a peppery kick. The label says “Wild Taste, Tame Heat.” We had it on crackers, but dipping white corn tortilla chips in it would taste even better.
- Dave’s Gourmet Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce ($12.75 for 25.5 oz.) Made from squash in Oregon and delicious with garlic, onions, and roasted red pepper. Georjean recommends pouring it over tortellini and ravioli, or mixing into lasagna.
- O Blood Orange Kalamata Olives & Capers ($15 for 8.4 oz) A citrus-y take on traditional olive spread, the orange olive oil brightens up the black olives in this chunky tapenade. Amy loves the rich, bold flavor and recommends a “less is more” approach when spreading atop crackers or breads.
- Elki Sundried Tomato Savory Crackers ($4.25 for 5.3 oz) Light and flaky with a buttery sweetness. The texture and ridges make it perfect for dips and spreads. David was a big fan, and is happy to munch on these sans toppings.
- B.T. McElrath Peppermint Buttercreams ($11 for 5-piece set) or “Salty Dog Bites” ($0.95 each) Crafted by a chocolatier with a passion for dark and delicious sweets and an eco-friendly conscience (does it get any better than that?) From milk to dark and mixed with holiday flavors like toffee and cranberry, every B.T. McElrath product is handcrafted to perfection. Plus- “I’ve met BT. He’s a very nice guy,” Georjean attests.
- Hammond’s Twist Lollipops and All Natural Candy Canes ($3.25 to $4 apiece) are hand-spun and make great stocking stuffers. Hammond’s is “a great traditional candy company,” describes Rebecca. Lollipops of red, white, or green swirls and thick candy canes in flavors like mint, butterscotch, cherry, apple pie, and cinnamon are now available.
Is your mouth watering yet? Throughout the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice (Dec. 1-21st), Martha of If Only… a Fine Store will share a specialty food of the day (today it’s pasta!) in her online diary. She will provide insights, suggest pairings, and reveal recipes developed in-house. Like If Only… a Fine Store on Facebook to stay in the loop on Martha’s posts.
Need even more chances to test out a few of these tasty items? If Only… a Fine Store is sponsoring a giveaway for the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice. Check the facebook page of the Downtown Association of Fairbanks on Wednesday, December 7th and follow the instructions to win.
When:
10:00am-6:00am, Monday-Saturday
11:00am-5:00pm, Sunday
Where:
If Only.. a Fine Store
215 Cushman Street
Phone:
(907)457-6659
shopping
WEEK 1: ALYESKA 21 DAYS OF SOLSTICE
The Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice launch on Thursday, December 1st and will count down until the darkest day of the year. This new campaign matches Fairbanksans with the best of downtown during the holidays (including special events, featured products, and daily giveaways) through online and social media.
WIN GREAT DOWNTOWN GIVEAWAYS- EVERY DAY!
Each day, a giveaway donated by a local business or sponsor will be up for grabs on Facebook.
Simply comment to win!
Fans can win a range of prizes (total est. value of $2500) from wine tastings and fine art to dance classes, hotel stays, outdoor gear, holiday gift baskets, and dining gift cards.
Week One prizes are products or services offered by the following businesses. We’ll reveal the details of each prize daily on Facebook.
Thurs, Dec. 1st: Fairbanks First and GVEA
Fri, Dec. 2nd: Beads & Things
Sat, Dec. 3rd: Fairbanks Community Museum
Sun, Dec. 4th: Alaska House Art Gallery
Mon, Dec. 5th: MAC Federal Credit Union
Tues, Dec. 6th: l’assiette de Pomegranate
Weds, Dec. 7th: If Only.. a Fine Store
Check Facebook daily for your chance to win! Giveaway value increases over the course of the month, so the more you follow us- the better your chances of winning big.
CALENDAR OF HOLIDAY EVENTS
Of course, the holidays are a time during which downtown businesses, churches, and community organizations host open houses, caroling, special services, in-store sales, and holiday parties. Each day on the Winter Solstice website, we’ll share special events that you can catch downtown as part of the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice, including visits with Santa every Saturday at River City Cafe!
Week One events include:
Thurs, Dec. 1st: World AIDS Day @ MTCVC
Fri, Dec. 2nd: First Friday!
Sat, Dec. 3rd: Holiday Bazaars @ Doyon and MTCVC
Sun, Dec. 4th: Pets with Santa @ Sadler’s
Mon, Dec. 5th: Think Local Cafe Club @ Julia’s Solstice Cafe
Tues, Dec. 6th: Open Mic @ The Big I
Weds, Dec. 7th: Wine Wednesdays @ Lavelle’s
Click here for details on these and other events.
HUGE GIFT LIST? LET US HELP
And if that’s not enough to get you psyched about the darkest month of the year, check out an online holiday gift guide published through the Downtown Association of Fairbanks, making it easy to check off your shopping list right here in the city’s most local business district.
Join us to win prizes, celebrate the holidays, and find great deals as we count down until December 21st!
The Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice is brought to you in part by Alaska Gold Rush Fine Jewelry, Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, GVEA, HOPS Hallmark, Stephenson CPA, Actus Community Fund, Lavelle’s Bistro, and River City Investments.
shopping
ALYESKA 21 DAYS OF SOLSTICE
Downtown Fairbanks is stepping up this holiday season with a brand new campaign to connect Fairbanksans with the finest products and festivities available in the heart of the city.
Celebrate the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice from December 1st to December 21st with daily giveaways, an exclusive gift guide of new items, and a calendar of events (including visits with Santa!) that will keep you busy and warm as we count down until the darkest day of the year.
And we’re thanking YOU for supporting local, downtown businesses with a giving spree worth thousands of dollars in downtown products. Log on to our facebook page each day to see what’s up for grabs and follow the simple instructions for your chance to win. Products range from wine tastings to parkas, upscale menswear to baked goods, and fine art to holiday baskets.
Businesses on board (thank you!) include:
Lavelle’s Bistro, Chartreuse, Frank’s Menswear, If Only…a fine store, Alaska Rag Company, Forget Me Not Books, Arctic Travelers Gift Shop, l’assiette de Pomegranate, Alaska House Art Gallery, Bridgewater Hotel, Actus Community Fund, Dance Theatre Fairbanks, Alaskan Gold Rush Fine Jewelry, Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau, S Salon & Studio, Big Ray’s, Co-Op Arts, Alana’s Espresso Escape, River City Café & Espresso, Julia’s Solstice Café and Lady Lee’s Bath House Emporium.
Plus free midday parking in the parking garage beginning Monday and running through the holidays (11am-2pm, M-F) so that you can park, shop, and eat lunch downtown during the festivities.
Businesses- sign up immediately if you haven’t already registered to be highlighted during this campaign. Sponsor information available here.
More details to come!
shopping
AK RAG CO: FROM RAGS TO RETAIL
by Amy Nordrum · 1 Comment
Old t-shirts, jeans, fleece sweatshirts, towels, wool coats, and even grocery bags can find new life at the Alaska Rag Company, where fabrics of all types are stripped down and refashioned into hand woven rugs as part of a vocational training program for adults with mental illnesses.
Operated by the Fairbanks Community Behavioral Health Center for nearly twenty years, the Alaska Rag Company is a small but powerful operation that aims to develop job skills in clients through a multi-step program. A tidy and compact shop at the corner of 6th Avenue and Lacey Street houses half a dozen looms, racks of colorful products, and up to twenty beginning weavers with staff on hand to help them work through the many phases of recycled rug manufacturing.
Clients are referred to the training program by therapists or case managers who believe they are ready to re-enter the workforce. Most begin with simple tasks like cutting strips and removing buttons from donated fabric while learning basic job skills like arriving on time and taking direction. Weavers are in the final stages of training and aim to secure employment in the Fairbanks community.
The creative process begins at community drop-off centers, where items and materials from old t-shirts to corduroy are left for staff to gather. Making use of donated materials helps keep costs low, with the added environmental benefit of recycling old clothing back into a useful product. Drop-off bins are located in the Sadler’s parking lot and at Fred Meyer West. Donations are also accepted at the Alaska Rag Company.
From there, materials are sorted, with the best items sold as-is on a rack in the shop or donated to thrift stores. The rest are divided into piles used to make rags (available in bulk with free downtown delivery or in household bundles) and those that can be woven into rugs and other products. All zippers, buttons, and pockets are removed, the material is washed, and the fabric is cut into strips.
“Weaving is the fast part,” Monika Hebert, Employment Specialist, says of the entire process.
Even so- once on the loom, a standard rug takes at least ten hours to weave. Curious customers can watch the process, as two or three weavers are usually hard at work in front of looms scattered throughout the store. Prices range from $20-$300 depending on size, and custom orders are welcome. The AK Rag Company can weave an item from a favorite piece of clothing, or use paint and upholstery samples to match a rug with interior decor. Complete sets of table runners, placemats, and rugs are also available.
The woven products made in-house aren’t all you’ll find on the shelves at the Alaska Rag Company, though. The shop also carries consignment items from twenty local and Alaskan artists, including note cards, mittens, jewelry, pottery, wooden cutting boards, and pressed flowers.
This wide range of house wares, clothing, and gifts keeps customers coming back throughout the holidays.
“We have regulars,” Monika remarks about the shop’s clientele. “It’s kind of like a coffee shop, but without the coffee.”
Parking is available in a driveway adjacent to the Alaska Rag Company off of 6th Avenue, or on the street across from the shop.
Where:
Alaska Rag Company
603 Lacey Street
When:
Monday- Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm
Phone:
(907)451-4401
shopping
Black Sunday @ Julia’s Solstice Cafe
Show your support for local businesses, artists, and crafters at a Black Sunday event showcasing the talents of Fairbanks residents in an array of homemade products for sale at Julia’s Solstice Cafe.
When:
Sunday, November 27th
Where:
Julia’s Solstice Cafe
206 Driveway Street, Suite A
Phone:
(907)474-0001
shopping
Trick-or-Treat @ Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
Enjoy hot apple cider, cookies, door prizes, and trick-or-treat at Arctic Travelers Gift Shop for Halloween.
When:
Monday, October 31st
Where:
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
201 Cushman Street
Phone:
(907)456-7080
shopping
ALL HALLOWS’ EVE
This Halloween, downtown Fairbanks has seasonal flavors, frights, and festivities to coincide with this most haunting of holidays. From tasty restaurant specials and freak-filled parties to a full costume shop stocked with sheep bodysuits, pirate accessories, and colorful wigs, downtown Fairbanks is your one-stop source for a spooktastic October.
RAD COSTUMES
Chartreuse has pulled out all the stops (again) this year- with owner Sheri transforming vacant space next door into a full-fledged costume shop, complete with a smoke machine, creepy window displays, and cobwebs to get you in the spirit. Hundreds of costumes- every creature or character you can imagine- are available with steep (20%) discounts for military and students (college or high school). A Rotting Pumpkin sale on October 31st will knock prices by half for everyone. Vintage costumes and rentals are also available at Chartreuse, but stop in early for the best selection. Bonus: Check out the cannibalistic pumpkin stationed at the store entrance when you visit.
TASTY TREATS
Treats aren’t just for miniature ninjas and tiny rockstars- pumpkins and apples with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon turn up the warmth and tone of culinary specials this Halloween. If there’s one thing downtown does right- it’s seasonal flavors.
Stop into Julia’s Solstice Café for vegan pumpkin pie and other seasonal baked goods available through Thanksgiving. If you prefer pumpkin in an even richer form, visit The Fudge Pot for pumpkin pie fudge. McCafferty’s brews up a delicious homemade pumpkin pie steamer, and one barista recommends it as a latte with whipped cream and a sprinkle of white chocolate powder.
The most die-hard pumpkin fans should stop into Gambardella’s Pasta Bella for the Great Pumpkin Special- a scoop of pumpkin cheesecake gelato, served with a slice of pumpkin pie, drizzled with pumpkin sauce and topped with whipped cream.
If you prefer apples as your fall food staple, a cup of spiced cider at McCafferty’s is only $1.50 and the warm apple pie at Gambardella’s Pasta Bella comes adorned in whipped cream.
Gambardella’s Pasta Bella is also serving up seasonal meals, including a Harvest Dinner every Tuesday and Wednesday. Fridays and Saturdays are prime rib night, Sundays and Mondays are all-you-can-eat pasta, and Thursdays feature wine tastings with Bruce Abbott.
FREAKY FESTIVITIES
It’s no fun if all the food and fright doesn’t come with a few chances to show off your witty/classy/outlandish choice in costumes. Luckily, there is plenty of downtown Halloween activity- including theatrical, educational, and dance party opportunities.
The Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre will feature a special Halloween showing of Macbeth (8:00pm) and Sleepless Night (6:00pm) at the Empress Theatre on Monday, October 31st- with a special half-off discount for Sleepless Night tickets when purchased with one for Macbeth. Sleepless Night features Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart along with original work on the theme of “Halloween” by local musicians and spoken word artists.
Ghost stories are a must for Halloween, and spookier when tales center on familiar towns, buildings, and outdoor spaces. A new exhibit debuting at the Fairbanks Community Museum titled “Legends, Oddities, and Strange Wonders of Alaska” details the ghosts and legends of Alaska with emphasis on the Interior. The Museum will be open on Saturday, October 29th from 12:00pm-4:00pm with treats for kids and also on Monday, October 31st from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Admission is always free, and donations are welcome.
Finally, it’s not Halloween without a proper party- and Bobby’s Downtown will host an annual Halloween celebration on Saturday, October 29th with live music and drink specials. The Big I Pub & Lounge Halloween party will kick off that same night, with DJ Benjammin on music and dancing all night long.
shopping
Building-Wide Sale @ Forget-Me-Not Books
A Building-Wide Sale at Forget-Me-Not Bookstore (operated by the Literacy Council of Alaska) on Gaffney Road with exclusive access to the back of the building- containing thousands of titles in storage at downtown’s only used bookstore. Everything in the store is half price.
When:
Saturday, October 15th 10:00am-5:00pm
Where:
Forget-Me-Not Bookstore
517 Gaffney Road
shopping
Think Local Party Bus @ Fairbanks First
Hate shopping? Love beer? This Party Bus is for you. Shop easy with Fairbanks First this holiday season, on a whirlwind bus tour (alcohol provided) that begins and ends downtown, stopping at other shopping districts throughout the city. This one-stop shopping extravaganza promises to keep you warm and save you time, as you check off your entire guest list in a single afternoon. Tickets available through Fairbanks First- $35 general public, $20 members. Buy them online here.
When:
Saturday, December 3rd 1:45pm-6:00pm
Where:
Sadler’s Parking Lot
610 Cushman Street
Phone:
(907)452-2185
