ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – At Rage City Vintage, the markdowns are well underway. The vintage clothing and art boutique in Spenard plans to shut its doors on December 24 after three years in business. Owners Emma Hill and Mackenzie Tubbs say the economy is mostly to blame as sales continue to decline.
“We are talking about 40% in the last two years, like each month consistently,” Hill said.
Hill said she doesn’t blame the people who’ve supported them since they opened. Small businesses are feeling the effects of the economy all over. Tubbs said people are still coming through the doors for community events, but they don’t have much money to spend.
It’s a loss, the pair say, for the numerous small businesses and artists who sell their wares from the space, but also for a significant number of people who consider the store a second home.
From the beginning their vision included a space that was LGBTQ friendly, sober friendly and that served the Spenard community. Regular events included open mic performances, family game nights and workshops.
“For me, the really devastating part is to not have this container for community anymore,” Tubbs said.
“We’ve embedded into the energy of this place, safety, being seen, being welcomed-exactly as you are, and then also, celebrating vulnerability,” Hill said.
The pair said the store is definitely closing but hope to find a new space where they can hold some of the community events that have become so popular.
Further up Spenard, The Writer’s Block Bookstore and Café is also getting set to close after nearly a decade in business. Owner Vered Mares she’s proud the business has become a community favorite that also hosts events like poetry slams and musical performances.
“They love this space, they love this place, they feel welcome here,” she said.
Mares is selling the business for personal reasons. She plans to move out of state and pursue a PHD. She noted that the economy has also impacted the Writer’s Block. Everything, she said, has gone up in cost.
“That also means that everything has gone up in costs for all of our customers,” Mares said. “So, their ability to spend money has gone down. And when you’re running a business, obviously, if you have increased costs and reduced income, it doesn’t really work.”
Mares said she’s gotten significant interest after she offered the business for sale. The terms of her lease mean that it can’t remain in its current Spenard location but she’s hopeful that someone will buy it and relocate.
Inventory at the store is currently on sale and Mares said there are events booked through their last day, which will be December 21.
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