10/27/2026
7 Years Already?
(PSA - a letter from Jen & Jess and photo timeline follows - scroll past to see current happenings!)
As we draft this letter, we find ourselves nostalgic. For the bubbly energy and enthusiasm and youthful optimism we shared at the beginning of this venture 7 years ago. For the butterfies in our stomachs as we launched into new territory - being entrepreneurs of a brick-and-mortar shop - and signed a lease, purchased inventory, hoped people would come. For those times when we were dreaming up the vision of what-where-why-when-how Blue Market AK would be.
It all began in February of 2019 when a mutual friend encouraged us to meet - we were both lamenting and rattling on about the same woes: access to local foods and products and reducing plastic waste. Jess and I met over coffee and right there that first day, we decided (I think we shook hand on it?) to jump off the cliff and try to do this thing together. We were both at places in our lives where we could use a new project and we couldn't stand to sit back and watch our oceans and landfills fill with mounds and mounds of plastic.
We started to meet weekly to draft a business plan. We worked with a group of advisors - 6 women with business experience who helped guide us. We escaped to Jen's cabin in Seldovia and retreated - solidifying a plan with lots of scribbling on giant sheets of paper, dreaming and visualizing what could be done. We built a cart and popped up at local markets. We created a video of our shop concept and launched an Indiegogo fundraiser to raise seed money for a brick & mortar location. We presented at a seedlab Startup competition. To this day, I am proud to say that the original "Who We Are" Values and the Guiding Principles we developed then still stand true. Those posters have been hanging on our walls from Day 1.
Since then, it's been a blur of activities and learning curves. We learned how to keep essential products in stock, how to pay the bills, how to hire and motivate staff, how to maintain and repair equipment, how to listen to customers and provide the best service possible, how to manage inventory and cultivate vendor relationships, how to grow and how to remember to take much-needed breaks now and then. Man, this entrepreneurship journey is a rollercoaster ride.
In the end, we are eternally thankful for our community, our families, our closest friends, our customers and staff and vendors and partners. It truly takes a village to grow a child, and this child of ours needs tending care and nurturing. Without your support it could not continue. Please, spread the word! Share the Love!
Warmly,
Jen & Jess
P.S. To celebrate with you, we will send all of our customers a special thank you coupon starting November 7th. So please take a look at the bottom of your digital receipts!
P.P. S. If you want to skip the photo timeline of the past 7 years, scroll down a ways for some current news and more articles :).
Summer 2019
Building "Little Thing" - The Cart that Started it all
Bruce and Jess got to work in the Summer of 2019 converting our beatup old trailer (that Jen and Bruce picked up in Mexico in 2014 after it had seen thousands of miles of travel) - into "The Little Thing" (AKA the Little Blue Market Cart); a kind of Oz-like apothecary cart that we set up at the Spenard and Fire Island Farmers Markets in summer and fall of 2019 and that officially launched Blue Market AK to the public.
October 2019 Brick & Mortar Buildout
at 1406 W. 31st
We found the old French Oven site by walking by and knocking on the door. Only to find that they had been thinking of renting out the space for years, and to find that the owner loved the idea of supporting another Alaska-grown woman-owned business. The space was even the right color for us! And with Jess' family coming up from Oregon to help, we whipped it into shape in no time. The buildout was done entirely by volunteer labor and sweat equity.
In 2026, we are a full-on market full of Essential Groceries, Personal care products, Household cleaning products, and unique Alaskan made gifts
Membership Corner
Membership was a concept that we wanted to have from day one. Even though we opted not to start the business as a Coop, we wanted it to feel like a Coop, with an emphasis on community, on getting to know your neighbors, and a sort of buy-in from our customers. We also needed the influx of cash that Memberships provide at the turn of the year, it helps us tremendously with inventory and cashflow.
In return for your generous membership dues, we offer:
- 10% off every sale (except for commissioned artwork)
- an annual gift to you or donation to local non-profits
- Special Quarterly members-only promotion, for your loyalty
- the ability to bulk-special-order from our suppliers and receive 20% off retail.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS Nov. 1-7th! - Our 4th Quarter members-only special this year is 20% off anything in the store from November 1st through the 7th.
Pssst: In early 2027 we are hosting a BIRTHDAY PARTY POTLUCK at the shop for all Members! Yup, this is a real grown-up party with beverages and music and a fun vibe where we can share our favorite recipes and celebrate 7 years of refillery revelry.
Not a member yet? Our memberships begin on January 1st, and the 2027 membership pre-orders will be available for purchase in December. Already a member? Maybe consider purchasing a Membership for a friend or family member who you want to join the Blue Market AK Community.
Help Wanted!
It takes a village, as they say....if you know someone who is passionate about local food and reducing waste, has a sense of humor and is engaging and collaborative who would like some part-time work, please send them our way. Walk into the store with a resume or send it to Jess at [email protected].
We have TWO POSITIONS available:
1) WEEKDAYS: 20 to 32 hours a week, 5-8 hours/day over 4 days. This schedule could be perfect for a parent with kids in school, you can start after drop-off and be able to pick up at the end of the school day!
2) WEEKENDS: 8-24 hours per weekend shift, 2 to 4 shifts per month depending on availability (4 weekends in a row while training); Hint: "weekend pay" is more.
New Loyalty Program
(an old-school punchcard with a twist)
HEADS UP! During the next few months, look for the launching of our new Punchcard loyalty program. Here's how it will work:
- Fill a jar (or bag or canister or bottle or whatever) that you brought from home to receive a point.
- After 10 points are earned, take $5 off a purchase
Clarification: this is an old-school paper card, not a digital program - the points will be tracked on a card that you carry with you - made from repurposed paperboard and a block print designed by one of our talented artist family members. It will be your responsibility to show it to us when you check out :)
We can't say it enough - THANK YOU for choosing to shop with us and be a Refilling Localvore Consumer who makes an impact with every purcahse.
SNAP Benefits - an update
Did you know we are SNAP benefit certified? That means that anyone who has a SNAP card can purchase their groceries at our shop. Please pass this information along!
Also, a bit of transparency: the certification comes with specific guidelines that we must follow and these guidelines were recently "updated" effective November 2026. The revisions impact the variety of products we must carry in the shop. Because of this, you will start to see some new products popping up in the shop. And you might see some that are wrapped in plastic (like oat milk in cartons and chocolate milk in plastic jugs). We are facing a dilemna, where we must make some exceptions to our no-plastic rule in order to meet some of the SNAP benefit requirements. (Note we try every time we can to find a product that can be readily shipped to Alaska, is sustainably packaged AND meets these SNAP guidelines).
We have decided that the compromise is worth it, as we want to see food security become a reality for more and more people in our community.
If you have any questions about this, please reach out to our email [email protected].
Click here for an update from Blue Market AK!
