A new grocery store is opening in Ketchikan. Three Bears Alaska, which has locations in Southcentral Alaska and Interior Alaska, will open a new store in Saxman just south of downtown. The store will open in the spring.
Three Bears will take over the operations of a convenience store and gas station in the vicinity.
Three Bears Alaska’s move to Ketchikan has two components. The grocery chain will take over South Tongass Service management. Crews will soon transform the Saxman Seaport warehouse into a Three Bears grocery shop with a sporting goods outlet, and a hardware store.
Three Bears has several stores throughout the state, from Wasilla to Ninilchik. Some stores sell groceries and liquor, while others offer gas and groceries. There are twenty locations in the state, and one in Butte.
Three Bears will lease the service center from Southeast Stevedoring (a subsidiary of Survey Point Holdings). The warehouse will be leased to the City of Saxman in the meantime. In a press release, the city stated that residents should retain control over the property.
“The Council wants residents to retain ownership of as much ocean front as possible and so saw fit rent instead of selling,” said a City of Saxman news release.
Three Bears didn’t respond to repeated requests for comments.
Saxman’s city administrator is Lori Richmond. She stated that the financial details of the lease were confidential for the moment.
Richmond explained that the 99-year lease is a one-time payment. “In exchange, they do a certain amount infrastructure updates. The lease also includes a provision for local hire and an infrastructure provision.
Richmond stated that a store was always part of the city’s plan.
She stated that the City of Saxman was looking at economic development options that would provide employment and service to not only Saxman but also our neighbors on the other side of the island.
Richmond stated that the lease has not been signed, but the company still has access to the warehouse so that it can use the space for renovations.
She said, “But then, as far as the timeline goes…for building it out…we’ve left that upto Three Bears with that idea that, you know? They’re the professionals building and opening grocery shops.”
KRBD visited a Ketchikan coffee house to see how the locals felt about the development.
Mary Caskey and Donna Georgie are self-described “snowbirds” — people who spend the summer in Alaska, then head south to winter.
Georgie stated that she believes the store is a great asset to the community.
She said, “I think it is awesome.” “We need more grocery shops.”
Caskey was also happy with the news.
Caskey stated, “I live south and I’m so excited about it.” This is new to me.
Grace McElroy stopped taking orders at the counter in order to remember Tatsuda’s IGA. This store was a staple in Ketchikan’s life for over 100 years before a landslide forced its closure.
She said, “(I’m] super excited for (the Three Bears”),” It’ll be great to have a grocery shop out there. It’s been quite some time since Tatsuda (‘s) closed. Rest in peace.
Calvin Traudt lives about 15 miles north of the town, but he travels by South Tongass every day on his bus.
He said, “It’s going be good for everyone south of town, and you know, put some folks to work.”
Ketchikan will become the first Southeast community to have a Three Bears Alaska location.
