2015 readers choice

July 21, 2015

2015 READERS’ CHOICE

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA TUESDAY, JULY 21,2015

The best of

FAIRBANKS

2 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner July 21, 2015


110 F

Serving the Interior since 1904

SAMSON HARDWARE

F13515131

Hardware Store

Thank youfor making us

your

#1 Hardware Store!

Your picks for 2015

Welcome to the 2015 edition of the Daily News-Miner’s Reader’ Choice Awards.

The voter turnout for this edition was spectacular, with thousands of readers logging in to choose the best of the best in Fairbanks. Put-

ting together the questionnaire this year made us realize just how many options there are in Fairbanks for dining, entertainment, sporting events, personal and medical services, education, shopping and more.

Who knew there were so many places to get a good cup of coffee or margarita? Not to mention the many, many options for Asian food. And pizza!

Most of the categories were very, very close, but a few had some very clear win-ners.

We tried to make the list of choices as comprehensive as possible, but if we left anyone out, please let us know so we can include them next year. And let us know if you’d like to see any new categories, as well. Many people left suggestions on the questionnaire, so we will include even more categories next year.

For 2015, however, check out our list to see who won the recognition as the Best Waiter/Waitress in town, not to mention the Best Bartender, Best Teacher and Best Financial Planner.

These Readers Choice Awards don’t exist without you, the readers. Thank you for participating, and for everyone who made the “Best of ” list, congratulations.

Julie StrickerOnline Content DirectorFairbanks Daily News-Miner

About the 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards

FOOD & DRINKSAsian Fusion1. Fushimi Japanese Fusion2. Lin’s Asian BistroAsiana

Chinese Food1. Pagoda2. Bamboo Panda3. Panda Garden

Japanese Food1. Shogun2. Ajimi3. Irashi

Korean Food1. Seoul Gate2. Jung Korean3. Aha Oriental Kitchen

Thai Food1. Thai House2. Lemongrass Thai Cuisine3. Bahn Thai

Vietnamese Food1. Pho House2. Little Saigon

PICKS » 4

FUSHIMI » 4

By Gary [email protected]

A restaurant that cap-tures both traditional and not-so-traditional Asian fare has won the culinary hearts of Fairbanks diners.

Fushimi Japanese Fusion took the No. 1 spot in the Asian fusion food category in the 2015 News-Miner Readers Choice awards. The restaurant is part sushi bar and part Japa-nese restaurant with a vast menu that includes Thai and Chinese options as well.

“ There are so many options,” chef Ice Pan said, noting the lobster roll and several beef dishes as some of Fushimi’s most popu-lar dishes. He credited the

Food as art puts Fushimi in first for Asian fusion

Chef Ice Pan works on a creation at Fushimi, 607 Old Steese Highway, suite 105. GARY BLACK/NEWS-MINER

32015 Readers ChoiceJuly 21, 2015


F57519969

(907) 452-3000WesMadden.com

Thank you, Fairbanks,for voting Madden Real Estate #1



Restaurant & Pizzeria

Great Italian Cuisine

Geraldo’s was in “Pizza Magazine”as one

of the Top 100 ItalianPizzerias in the country!

B E S T

I T A L I A N F O

O D

701 College Road 452-2299 Pick

www.geraldos.com

F11521627

Best ItalianFood 2015

For voting us among your favorite Veterinary Clinics in the Interior.

We appreciate all of your support!

Thank you Fairbanks

Dr. Barb ColeDr. Jeanne Maddux Dr. Greg Pietsch

Dr. Val Stuve Dr. Michelle Webb Dr. Molly YazwinskiAnd all the Aurora Animal Clinic Staff

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FOOD & DRINKSBBQ/Ribs1. Big Daddy’s2. Bad to da Bone3. Tubby’s

Bloody Mary1. Oasis2. Ivory Jack’s3. Pump House

Breakfast1. Cookie Jar Restaurant2. Sam’s Sourdough Cafe3. The Bakery

Brunch 1. The Pump House2. Pike’s Landing3. Cookie Jar Restaurant

Cup of coffee1. Alaska Coffee Roasting Co.2. Sunrise Bagel Espresso3. Mocha Dan’s

Dessert1. Wolf Run2. Hot Licks3. Hilltop Truck Stop

Fast Food1. Speedy Subs2. Pita Place3. Taco King

Fine Dining1. Lavelle’s Bistro2. The Turtle Club3. Silver Gulch

Hamburgers1. Brewster’s2. Monderosa3. Food Factory

Healthy Dining1. Pita Place2. Chowder House3. Great Harvest Bread Co.

Ice Cream/Milkshakes1. Hot Licks2. Cold Stone Creamery3. Knotty Shop

restaurant’s use of fresh seafood as a reason it took the No. 1 spot, followed by Lin’s Asian Bistro in the No. 2 spot and Asiana tak-ing third place.

The menu is vast, includ-ing a selection of soups and salads; cold dishes; appe-tizers such as soft shell crab and New Zealand lamb chops; specialty rolls like the Dragon Roll, White House Roll or Aurora Roll; sushi and sashimi entrees; and a la carte options. The menu also includes a range of seafood and teri-yaki dishes. Many of the

creations are handmade in the front of the house, allowing diners to watch as their food becomes a piece of edible art.

Frank Fan, a server at Fushimi, listed three rea-sons as to why the restau-rant took first place.

“First , i t ’s the fresh sushi. Everything is fresh,” Fan said. “Second, it’s the design. People say it’s a good presentation.”

To illustrate that, Fan pulled up a photo on his smartphone that included rolls served around a drag-on carved out of ice.

“They say it’s amazing and beautiful,” Fan said. “That’s the reaction from people.”

Third, Fan said, is the service the employees strive for.

“We serve people with heart and soul,” he said.

Comments on Yelp, the crowd-sourced website that offers of reviews of restaurants, businesses and nightlife, are generally favorable, with many com-menters noting the fresh seafood used in Fushimi’s sushi as being a popular selling point.

Fushimi Japanese Fusion is located at 607 Old Steese Highway, suite 105. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sun-days. The telephone num-ber is 328-0988.

FUSHIMIContinued from 2

PICKSContinued from 2

PICKS » 8



We vote Fairbanks

BEST COMMUNITY! F

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Big Daddy’s BBQ is the 2015 Reader’s Choice winner for Best BBQ. ERIC ENGMAN/

NEWS-MINER

By Jeff RichardsonJRICHARDSON@NEWSMINER.

COM

Harold Groetsema said he gets a special thrill chat-ting with summer tourists at his downtown restau-rant, Big Daddy’s BarB-Q.

“The best compliment I ever get is when people from Texas and the Car-olinas come up and say, ‘That’s some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had,’” Groetsema said.

Fairbanks residents seem to share their enthu-siasm. Big Daddy’s claimed the “Best Barbecue” cate-gory in the News-Miner’s 2015 Readers Choice Awards, a spot the restaurant has frequently claimed during the past decade. Bad to da Bone BBQ and Tubby’s Alaskan BBQ placed second and third, respectively.

Despite Fairbanks’ dis-tance from Southern bar-becue, Groetsema said the Golden Heart City knows what it’s doing when it comes to smoked meats. Since Big Daddy’s opened at its current location in 2004, the local scene has blossomed, he said.

“The barbecue in this town has really excelled,” Groetsema said. “Some of them have me scared.”

Big Daddy’s has thrived during that period by keeping it simple. The menu is largely unchanged since it opened 11 years ago, mostly fea-turing smokehouse staples such as brisket, ribs and chicken, along with a variety of burgers. A few months ago the restaurant added Lead Dog BBQ sauces, an award-winning North Pole product.

At the heart of it all is

the slow-moving operation that a top barbecue joint requires, slowly churning out Big Daddy’s tasty Caro-lina-style meats.

Briskets get at least 12 hours in the smoker, ribs get 4 to 5 hours and chick-ens spend 2 to 3 hours in the barbecue. Groetsema said the leisurely approach requires more planning but that there’s no other way to do it right.

”It takes a lot of patience in the kitchen,” Groetsema said. “Barbecue is done when it’s done.”

It’s status as the “North-ernmost Southern BBQ” has also won some nation-al acclaim. The Food Net-work show “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” stopped in at Big Daddy’s four years ago, and Groetsema said

Big Daddy’s brings the best of southern BBQ to the far north

BBQ » 7



9

12007200820092010 2011 2012 2013 20142015

Thank you Fairbanks!

Pizzain

Fairbanks!

years and

Counting!ctownpizza.com

3535 College RoadFairbanks, AK

ctownpizza.com3535 College Road

Fairbanks, AKF13515136

457-2200457-2200

#1

9



Open 7 days: Friday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

BEST RESTAURANT SERVICE

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT

BEST CHINESE FOOD

www.pagodanorthpole.com 431 N. Santa Claus Lane, North Pole 488-3338

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Your votes motivate us to always strive to provide a great dining experience!

Celebrating

25 wonderful

years in North Pole!

visitors still stop by specifically because of Guy Fieri’s program.

But Groetsema credits the success to his staff of experienced, loyal employees who can smoothly weather the storm of a bus filled with hungry tourists. Two of the managers, Steven and Julie Moody, have been at Big Daddy’s for more than a decade.

“I owe it all to my managers and my crew,” he said. “They’re probably the best crew I’ve ever seen.”

Expansion efforts have been tried a few times, once for a second Fairbanks restaurant and another time to a spot near Austin, Texas. Neither effort quite worked out, due to location or economic slumps, Groetsema said.

Groetsema doesn’t have plans for anoth-er expansion attempt but said more than a few Anchorage residents are fans of his barbecue. He wouldn’t rule out the possi-bility of another restaurant in the future.

“I wouldn’t say no to it right now,” he said with a smile.Contact staff writer Jeff Richardson at 459-7518. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMbusiness.

BBQContinued from 5

Hot Licks Homemade Ice Cream was named the best ice cream in Fairbanks in 2015. NEWS-MINER

FILE PHOTO



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Announcing the merging of King Cab, Alaska Cab

and Arctic Taxi. Working to Bring You the Best Taxi Service Possible!

Thank you for making

Arctic Taxi the #1 cab company in Fairbanks!

Mon - Fri 10am - 6pmSat & Sun 10am - 5pmwww.HolmtownNursery.com F

1751

8844

…50% off frames* with purchase of full price prescription lenses 25% off non-prescription sunglasses*

907-456-7760

Thank you for voting us as the Best Eye Clinic and voting Dr. Damien Delzer as one of the Best Eye Care Professionals.

Thank You Fairbanks SALE!

*Bring in a copy of this ad. Some restrictions apply. Excludes Maui Jim & Oakley Sun. Valid through 8/1/2015

FOOD & DRINKS

Italian Food1. Geraldo’s Italian2. Gambardella’s3. The Vallata

Margarita1. Gallo’s Mexican2. Mayan Palace3. Los Amigos

Mexican Food1. Taco Azteca/Mayan Palace2. Miguel’s3. Gallo’s Mexican

Pizza1. College Town Pizzeria2. Geraldo’s Italian3. Papa Murphy’s Pizza

Prime Rib (not steaks)1. The Turtle Club2. Lavelle’s Bistro3. The Pump House


PICKS » 12

9July 21, 2015


akwestvalleyvision.com

Open At Our New Location

1st & 2nd for Favorite

OptometristsDr. Michael Mavencamp

& Dr. Barbara Keys

Thank you, Fairbanks, for voting us …

2nd for Best Eye Care Clinic

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Not Pictured: Dr. Michael Mavencamp, Melinda Simon, Julie Hanson, LeeAnne Mihm, Diana Puhak

THANK YOU, FAIRBANKS.WE ARE PROUD TO BE CAR DEALER OF CHOICE.YOUR

THANK YOU, FAIRBANKS.WE ARE PROUD TO BE CAR DEALER OF CHOICE.YOUR

LET’S START SOMETHING GREAT.KENDALLAUTOALASKA.COMKENDALLAUTOALASKA.COM

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College Town Pizza once again was named Fairbanks’ best pizza. NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO



F11523047

In the heart of downtown FairbanksBetween 2nd & 3rd Ave.

215 Cushman Street

Thanks, Fairbanks,

for voting us #1

Great Staff .

Great Town.

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By Gary [email protected]

What started as a small greenhouse operation has grown over the course of 23 years to be a favorite among Fairbanks gardeners.

That small nursery founded in 1992 by Jim and Marcia Holm — Holm Town Nursery — recently took the top spot in the 2015 News-Miner Readers Choice Awards as favorite nursery/garden center. Holm Town bested Risse’s Nursery, which took the No. 2 spot, followed by Plant Kingdom in No. 3.

The sprawling complex at 1301 30th Ave. is more than just a greenhouse, though. It contains eight greenhouses that produce just about every vegetable and plant you can imagine, from stan-

dards like tomatoes, squash and broccoli to more fun or exotic offerings like arti-chokes or Romanesco. On the non-veg-etable side, several greenhouses are devoted to flowering plants of every color, shape, size and smell.

It’s not just the vast selection of plants, it’s also the range of merchandise the nursery offers — specialty fertilizers, dec-orative garden accessories, even garden furniture, among the selection.

“I also think it’s our excellent customer service and our dedication,” said General Manager Dona Tuck. “If we don’t have the answers, we will find them for you.”

One of the missions of the nursery is helping each gardener, she said. That means knowing the products they carry

Employee Charlotte Chilson tends to geraniums at Holm Town Nursery, 1301 30th Ave. News-Miner readers picked Holm Town Nursery as the best nursery in Fairbanks. GARY BLACK/NEWS-MINER

Holm Town Nurserygrows into a winner

NURSERY » 11

Open 7 Days A WeekMon.-Thurs. 11:00am-10:00pmFriday 11:00am-11:00pmSaturday Noon-11:00pmSunday Noon-9:00pm

4005 Geist Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

907-328-3222

Hibachi Japanese SteakhouseThank you for voting us the

#1 Japanese Restaurant!



F11523010

Always a favorite!

“Asian Fusion Category”

Thank You for your Votes!linsasianbistrofairbanks.com

1900 Airport Way (next to McDonalds) 479-8866

ASIAN BISTRO

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(907) 456-8100 | wappettdental.com | 607 Old Steese Hwy. Suite C, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Andrew Wappett, DMD | Elle Kimberly Lovejoy, DDS

We appreciate the confi dence

expressed by our patients and strive to earn that trust every single day.

F13515139

and helping with advice when it comes to growing, whether the gar-dener is a novice or an expert.

“There are people who come in from age 5 to 95,” Tuck said. “They come in, and if they can’t find it, we find it for them. We try to expand our varieties in both the store and the greenhouse. We try to keep up

and bring in new things.”According to the nursery’s website,

greenhouses take up 60,000 square feet of space, with a retail store occu-pying 10,000 square feet. The retail store also contains Petunia’s Cafe, a bistro serving sandwiches, light dish-es, coffee and lattes and, according to Tuck, “one of the largest gluten-free menus in Fairbanks.”

Holm Town Nursery is open seven days a week and is closed only on

Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Fourth of July. Even in the winter, when most of Fairbanks isn’t think-ing about gardening, the staff at Holm Town is, Tuck said.

“We’re your go-to garden center. We’re it,” she said. “When it’s 40 below zero outside, it’s really nice in here.”

Holm Town Nursery can be reached at 457-3544 or online at www.holmtownnursery.com.

NURSERYContinued from 10

“There are people who come in from age 5 to 95. They

come in, and if they can’t find it, we find it for them.”

General Manager Dona Tuck, Holm Town Nursery



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The Law Offices of William R. Satterberg, Jr., would like

to thank all three of its supporters who voted for us!

709 4th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

(907) 452-4454 7:30 am – 6:00 pm

Gulliver’s Books

www

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Follow us on Facebook!

F12517994

Thank you, Fairbanks, for

voting Hot Licks your favorite for ice cream/milkshakes!

3453 College Road near UAFMon-Sat 12:00 to 11:00 p.m. & Sun Noon to 10:00 p.m.

Mon-Sat 12:00 to 10:00 p.m. & Sun Noon to 9:00 p.m.

.hotlicks.net

Restaurant Service1. Lavelle’s Bistro2. Pagoda Restaurant3. The Turtle Club

Restaurant (overall)1. Lavelle’s Bistro2. The Turtle Club3. Pagoda Restaurant

Salad Bar1. The Turtle Club2. Fred Meyer3. Cafe at Fairbanks Memorial Hos-pital

Sandwiches1. Speedy Sub2. The Chowder House3. Great Harvest Bread Co.

Seafood1. Turtle Club2. The Pump House3. Lavelle’s Bistro

Steak (not prime rib)1. Lavelle’s Bistro2. The Vallata3. Turtle Club

Bartender Larry Lowery at Lavelle’s Bistro

Waiter/waitress (tie) Debbie Campbell at Two Rivers LodgeSharif Nero at Lavelle’s

ENTERTAINMENT &SPORTING EVENTLive Production/Show of 2014-151. Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre: Les Miserables2. North Star Ballet: The Nutcracker3. Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre: Shrek-The Musical

Local Sporting Event1. Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race2. Ice Dogs playoffs3. Governor’s Cup: UAF Hockey

Local Sports Team1. Fairbanks Ice Dogs2. UAF Hockey3. North Pole Babes in Toyland: Roll-er Derby


PICKS »

The Ice Dogs are Fairbanks’ choice as the best sports team in 2015. NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO


2015 READERS’ CHOICEF

5749

1954

Thank You Fairbanksfor making Seekins Ford Lincoln a top choice

in New Automotive, Used Automotive & Automotive Service and Repair

Proud to serve Alaskans since 1977

Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre’s “Les Miserables” was voted the Best Production/Show of 2015. NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO



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Thank Youto all our customers for voting us

We truly appreciate your business over the years!

#2

Best Gift Shop #3 Best Ice Cream

Best Gift Shop Best Ice Cream

ANCHORAGE907.337.9434

322 Muldoon Road, Suite C

Anchorage, AK 99504

FAIRBANKS907.455.4350570 Riverstone Way

Fairbanks, AK 99709

JUNEAU907.780.6066

2237 N. Jordan Avenue

Juneau, AK 99801

WASILLA907.376.5207

110 E. Swanson Avenue

Wasilla AK 99654

Dental Care with an Artistic Touch.

All insurances accepted including Tricare, Medicaid and Denali Kid Care.F13512822

Thank you for voting Dr. Jensen among

your favorite dentists in Fairbanks.

Place to Bring Tourists1. Chena Hot Springs Resort2. Riverboat Discovery3. UA Museum of the North

Theater/Performance Company of 20141. Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre2. Fairbanks Concert Association3. North Star Ballet

Place for Dancing1. The Blue Loon2. Howling Dog3. Kodiak Jack’s

SERVICES Barber shop/Barber1. Elements2. Alaska Barber Shop3. Team Cutters

Hair Salon/Stylist1. Elements2. Team Cutters3. Charlotte Rouge

Nail Salon1. U.S. Nails2. Allure3. Happy Nails

Personal Trainer1. Tina Ferringer, F&H Fitness2. Michael Flannigan, 40 Below Fitness3. Christian Hood, Anytime Fitness

Tanning Salon1. Sun Fix Tanning Salon2. Tans & Teas3. Turbo Tans

Tattoo/Body Piercing1. Sublime Line Tattoo Studio2. Body Piercing Unlimited3. Patina Tattoo Parlor

SHOPPINGAntique Shop (tie) 1. Airport Road Antiques and Blue Door Antiques2. Roxy’s Secondhand

Art Gallery1. Expressions in Glass2. Alaska House Art Gallery3. Well Street Art Gallery

Book Store1. Gulliver’s Books2. Barnes & Noble3. Forget Me Not

Cashier/Clerk 1. Judith at FMH Cafe

Florist1. Safeway Floral Department2. College Floral3. Santina’s Flowers & Gifts




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Thank You, Fairbanks,for making us your #1 law firm. We have appreciated your support for over 50 years!

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374-8399

Chef/Owner Miguel30 Years Cooking

In Fairbanks

Thank you Fairbanks for voting us a

Fairbanks Favorite

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Thank you for your vote!

Airport Road Store & Blue Door Antiques

BEST ANTIQUES STORE

2015 Reader’s ChoiceBest Antique

Store Category

STELLA’S Superstore (Formerly Ben’s)

Best Pawn Shop F

11523033

Making us

In Fairbanks#1

Thank you for

1402 Gilliam WayII Dice Pawn

Expressions in Glass was voted Best Art Gallery in 2015.NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO

16 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner July 21, 20152015 READERS’ CHOICE

THANK YOU FAIRBANKS!serving your #1

BREAKFAST ALL DAY

Summer Hours:Mon-Sat 6:30a-830pSun 8a-8p

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

1006 Cadillac Court (Behind Kendall Auto)

907-479-8319cookiejarfairbanks.com

F17

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45License #AK157293

Thank you!For voting us Favorite

Mortgage Company in Fairbanks.

F45520790

SHOPPINGFurniture Store1. Sadler’s Furniture2. Bailey’s Furniture3. House of Kustom

Gift Shop1. If Only … A Fine Store2. Knotty Shop3. Steamboat Landing at Riverboat Dis-covery

Jewelry Store1. Taylor’s Gold-N-Stones2. Gold Rush Fine Jewelers3. Fred Meyer Jewelers

Ladies Clothing Boutique1. Fireweed Consignment2. In My Element3. Woolly Rhino

Liquor Store1. Brown Jug2. Northern Vines3. Gavora’s Fine Wine

Pawn Shop1. Ben’s Superstore2. Fairbanks Fast Cash

Pet Supplies Store1. Cold Spot Feeds2. Alaska Feed Co.3. Petco

Sporting Goods Store1. REI2. Beaver Sports3. Prospector Outfitters

Tools/Hardware Store1. Samson True Value Hardware2. Lowe’s3. Home Depot


PICKS » 20

Teddy Bear Plaza 456-8369

Corner of Airport Way & University Ave. Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 Open Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

“For Jewelry as fine as

she is” ©2015

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Our warmest thanks for your

votes!1st Place

Jewelry Store Category

2015 Readers Choice

July 21, 2015


456-SOLD(7653)

www.somersandassociates.net2957 Santa Patricia Court, Fairbanks

F57522158

Lori Peterson

Thank You, Interior Alaska for consistently voting us a top choice

for Real Estate Agency/ Realtor!

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Samson True Value Hardware was voted the best Tools/Hardware Store in 2015. NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO



F13506197

Thank you, Fairbanks, for voting AJIMIamong your favorite Japanese Restaurants.

We are proud to serve you.

By Matt [email protected]

More than a decade of home building in Fairbanks and excellent customer service have made Straight Ahead Construc-tion the top home builder in this year’s News-Miner Readers Choice voting.

Straight Ahead Construction was opened in 2005 by Mike Knoche, who has a life-long passion for building.

“I’ve had several careers, including sous chef and wildlife biology, but building was something I did since I was in my teens,” Knoche said. “I continued in construction here in Fairbanks and I built a few houses for myself here. After that, I decided this is the business I should be in.”

Straight Ahead Construction special-izes in home construction, additions and garages, entire home renovations, kitch-en and bathroom remodels, foundation adjustments, decks, radiant heat flooring, and all things residential.

When asked why he thought readers picked Straight Ahead Construction above other home builders, Knoche said it’s likely because of the way he treats his customers.

“We listen to what the client wants,” he said. “We never consider projects finished until the client does; it needs to be just right.”

Knoche said he’ll meet with a potential client, hear what they’re thinking for the new project and offer suggestions to make it better based on his experience in build-ing in Fairbanks. He said he’ll also offer a range of options for the client based on different fits and finishes.

“We do a face-to-face talk and I lis-ten your ideas and might make initial suggestions based on my experience in

Fairbanks,” he said. “It’s such an extreme environment.”

And once construction begins, Knoche said he’ll keep in regular contact with the client to let the person know how the work is going and to make sure the customer is happy with the progress.

The dedication has earned Straight Ahead Construction a wealth of positive reviews and comments across the Internet.

One reviewer found more space in a small bathroom.

“Our bathroom is on the small side and Mike put a lot of thought in how to max-

imize the usable space that we have,” one reviewer said. “The final result has been great and it really does feel like a bigger bathroom because of the thought put into the layout. The crew was efficient, profes-sional and did an outstanding job.”

Another praised Knoche for being flex-ible and allowing the client to do some of the construction himself.

“Extremely knowledgeable, professional, efficient, and competent, yet always willing to learn from and investigate new options, Mike was a true pleasure to work with,” the reviewer wrote.

In addition to Knoche, Straight Ahead Construction employs four people and sub-contracts specialty services such as electri-cal and plumbing to local contractors.

http://www.straightaheadconstruction-llc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/StraightA-headConstructionllc

The second and third place finishers were Big Street Construction and TS Con-struction.Contact staff writer Matt Buxton at 459-7544. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMpolitics.

Straight Ahead Construction builds a legacyMike Knoche has a passion for building. His company, Straight Ahead Construc-tion, was named best home build-er in 2015.

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Reservations recommended

2190 Goldstream Rd.Fairbanks, AK 99709

455-6600

Vallata theis pleased to serve you Excellent Steaks, Seafood, Italian Dishes

& New York Style Pizzas!

Thank You, Fairbanks

Tues.-Sun. 5:30-9:30

Closed Monday



Thank you Fairbanksfrom all of us at Affordable Used Cars

for making us your #1 choice

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THANKYOU

FAIRBANKS

BEST PET SUPPLY STORE

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#1 Barbershop

305 Eagle Ave.452-2459

“Thank you, Fairbanks. You’re the greatest!”

E x p a n d e d S e r v i c e 6 c h a i r s - l e s s w a i t i n g Open 7 Days a Week

SHOPPINGSnowmachine/motorcycle/ATV/UTV dealer1. Compeau’s2. Northern Power Sports3. The Outpost

New Car Company1. Kendall Auto2. Seekins Ford Lincoln3. Gene’s Chrysler

Used Car Company1. Affordable Auto2. Seekins Ford Lincoln3. Kendall Auto

PROFESSIONAL SERVICESLaw Offices1. Cook Schuhman & Groseclose2. Law Offices of William R. Satterberg3. Downes & Tallerico Law Firm

Attorney/Lawyer1. Jo Kuchle2. Amy Tallerico3. William Satterberg

Automotive Service and Repairs1. Metropolitan Garage2. Seekins Ford Lincoln3. University Chevron

Bank/Credit Union1. Alaska USA Federal Credit Union2. Spirit of Alaska Federal Credit Union3. Denali State Bank

Car Wash1. Splash N Dash East2. Splash N Dash West3. University Laser Car Wash

Cleaning Service/Commercial1. Service Master/Merry Maids2. SparkClean Janitorial3. K-Janitorial

Cleaning Service/Residential1. Maid Marvelous2. Service Master/Merry Maids3. OCD Cleaning Service

Financial Planner1. Bobby Weaver2. Jose Luis Martinez II - Edward Jones3. Robinson & Associates

Heating Fuel Delivery Company1. Sourdough Fuel2. Polar Fuel3. Fairbanks Fuel

Home Builder1. Straight Ahead Construction2. Big Street Construction3. TS Construction

Insurance Company1. State Farm Insurance2. Allstate Insurance3. USAA

Insurance Agent1. Chris Marok2. Tammy Randolph, State Farm Insur-ance3. Dick Randolph, State Farm Insurance

Interior Designer1. Joan Stepovich, White Palms2. Tamara Spaulding, Spaulding Interiors 3. Rebekah Gray, Studio 3Twelve

Landscaping Company1. Labrenz Landscaping2. Great Northwest3. Mulcare Lawn Care

Mobile Service Provider1. AT&T2. GCI3. Verizon

Mortgage Broker/Company1. Alaska USA Mortgage2. Mt. McKinley Bank3. Denali State Bank

Bank Customer ServiceTerry Busbee, Wells Fargo

Nonprofit Organization1. Fairbanks Animal Shelter2. Fairbanks Community Food Bank3. Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival

Nursery/Garden Center1. Holm Town Nursery2. Risse’s Nursery3. Plant Kingdom


PICKS » 22



F11522539

Seoul Gate Restaurant

THANK YOU FAIRBANKS FOR VOTING

1 PLACE

For a change of pace also visit us at Seoul Sushi in the same location (907) 456-2060 958 Cowles Street

BEST KOREAN FOOD IN FAIRBANKS!

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2015 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race champion Brent Sass makes his way down the trail in February. The Yukon Quest was voted the best sporting event in 2015. NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO



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59 College Rd., Ste. 205Fairbanks, AK [email protected]

Thank you Fairbanks for placing your trust in my office. I appreciate the award and am looking forward to helping my fellow Alaskans with their insurance needs!

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Real Estate Company1. Madden Real Estate2. Somers & Associates3. Re/Max Associates of Fairbanks

Realtor1. Wes Madden2. Zeb Mabie3. Lori Peterson

School1. West Valley High2. Spruce Tree Montessori3. Lathrop High

Principal Grant Guy/ Woodriver Elementary

Teacher Mackenzie Staiger/ Woodriver Elementary

Taxi Company1. Arctic Taxi2. Eagle Taxi3. Eco Taxi

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Dentist1. Dirk Menard2. Todd Wentz3. Andrew Wappett

Doctor1. Peter Marshall2. Herb Day3. Mary MacFarlane


Mt. McKinley Animal Hospital was voted top veterinarian office in the 2015 Readers’ Choice poll. NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO



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Chena Hot Springs Resort was named the Best Place to Take Tour-ists in the 2015 Readers’ Choice poll.



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[email protected]

Labrenz Landscaping, Inc2759 College Roadwww.labrenzlandscaping.com

We build carports, decks and gazebos. Drainage work,Concrete slabs, walls, and curbing, Erosion control solutions

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We love what we do and appreciate the support of our community.

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Eyeglasses/Contacts1. Eye Clinic of Fairbanks2. West Valley Vision Clinic3. Golden North Optics

Eye Care Professional1. Michael Mavencamp2. Barbara Keys3. Damien Delzer

Pharmacy1. Fred Meyer2. Safeway3. Professional Pharmacy

Physical Therapy Office1. Equinox Physical Therapy2. Adient Physical Therapy3. Fairbanks Physical Therapy

Veterinary Office1. Mt. McKinley Animal Hospital2. Aurora Animal Clinic3. Golden Heart Veterinary Clinic

Veterinarian1. Mark May2. Dee Thornell3. Scott Flamme

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This Business Spotlight was first published in the News-Miner on Dec. 15, 2013.

By Jeff [email protected]

Dr. Essam Shihadeh is in the business

of restoring patients back to health, so it’s probably fitting that his first taste of the restaurant business was no differ-ent.

When the Fairbanks oncologist and his wife, Lina Motawe, bought Wolf Run restaurant in February, they didn’t quite know how much help the longtime West Fairbanks restaurant needed.

The floor sagged, the ceiling leaked and the carpets were worn. Shihadeh said two contractors recommended tear-ing it down and starting from scratch.

But the thought of demolishing the 50-year-old building didn’t seem right. Shihadeh heard tales of memorable meals at Wolf Run and felt that history needed to be preserved.

“It just clicked,” he said. “It was really a mission to take it in and bring it back to life.”

A lot has changed in the past few months. After a summer of renovations, the restaurant reopened Saturday with an overhauled building and a new menu.

Wolf Run, which had become known primarily for its desserts and coffees, returns with a new executive chef, Josh-ua Broda, and a menu based on fresh, local ingredients.

It includes an eclectic group of dish-es, including Levantine chicken kabob, seared pork tenderloin and cedar-planked tofu. The wine list includes more than 20 selections.

Motawe is in the final stages of a Uni-versity of Alaska Fairbanks culinary degree — Broda and restaurant manag-er Danielle Flaherty also went through the program — and is looking forward to specializing in desserts.

“We’re not trying to be just another restaurant on the block,” Shihadeh said. “We’re trying to be unique and distinct.”

Broda and Flaherty said a commit-ment to local foods helped draw them into the venture. Produce will come from Fairbanks-area farms whenever possible, the beef is from Nenana-area cattle, and Alaska salmon, halibut and scallops are on the menu.

“It’s a little extra work to source that stuff, but we feel it’s worth it,” Broda said.

The emphasis on fresh foods was part of the early vision for the reborn restau-rant. Shihadeh and Motawe grew up in Jordan, where they were raised on a fla-vorful Mediterranean diet of olive oils and vegetables. They developed a pas-sion for food that never faded, Shihadeh said.

“A lot of boys l iked being in the garage,” he said. “I like cooking.”

The new-look menu is mirrored by a freshened environment. The restau-rant spent a month encased in scaffold-ing this summer, and the interior went through an almost complete overhaul. Carpets were replaced, plywood panel-

ing made way for light wood accents and the massive fireplace was polished to a new luster.

The working basement got such an extensive remodel that an old refrigera-tor full of beer kegs is the only holdover. The ceiling was raised, new equipment was brought in and the old dirt floor has been replaced with white tile. Shihadeh said it was like building a new structure inside the existing shell.

“We thought we’d close down for two weeks,” Motawe said. “But when you start, sometimes you can’t stop.”

As she surveyed the scene on Friday, Motawe said she couldn’t wait for open-ing day.

“I’m so excited,” she said with a broad smile. “It’s going to be a big day for us.”

Wolf Run will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.Contact staff writer Jeff Richardson at 459-7518. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMbusi-ness.

Wolf Run known for its eclectic dishes, divine desserts



EDITOR’S NOTE: We asked readers to suggest additional categories for the 2016 Readers’ Choice poll. By far, the one men-tioned most frequently was best Interior Alaska beer. It’s on the list for 2016. In the meantime, here’s a look at some of the local brews, previously published on our Food page.

By Glenn BurnSilver FOR THE NEWS-MINER

It goes without saying (though we have confirmation) that 49th State Brewing Company’s Smoked Marzen has not been the most popular choice as the recent smoke tickles Interior Alaskan throats. Yet, summer — in the normal sense — nev-er fails to inspire brewers to create special seasonal beers, whether using seasonal ingredients or simple inspiration from the midnight sun. With three breweries in the Interior — Silver Gulch, HooDoo and 49th State — there are plenty of specialty brews on tap right now for every palate.

Silver GulchSilver Gulch, the oldest of the Interior’s

three breweries, is the first to offer a “99 percent” gluten-free beer with Tundra Apple Ale. Traces of gluten in the yeast and possible brew tank contamination keep the brew from being truly glu-ten-free. “But chances are it’s less than 100th of a percent,” explained Silver Gulch media liaison Matt Toonies. Crisp, tart, effervescent and refreshing, this pale-col-ored ale has a bright apple nose and subtle fruity after taste. Cider-like in many ways, the recipe calls for a 49 percent ratio of apples, balancing the typically flat flavors of the glutenless sorghum wheat. “It’s legally a beer,” Toonies confirms.

Dry, crisp, light, almost clear in col-or, Northern Lights is an easy-drinking craft beer alternative for Bud, Coors and Miller drinkers. “It’s kind of a gateway beer,” Toonies said with a laugh. Non-beer drinkers or those who dislike most beer will want to try this gentle introduction to craft beer.

Red Flag Ale is the latest seasonal soon to become a regular taproom addition. A red-hued American IPA made with a touch of rye, this slightly hazy (unfiltered) brew features a rich maltiness, fruity hop-piness (and floral nose) of Citra, Cascade and Columbus hops, and subtle spiciness from the rye.

A mid-July Silver Gulch taproom addi-tion is a yet-unnamed dark lager. Brewed

as a traditional lager, dark malts offer a super light roasted overtone among the usual crisp, dry lager aspects.

HooDoo Brewing Company

HooDoo owner and headbrewer Bobby Wilken blends the skills picked up brew-ing in Germany, Chicago and at Alaskan Brewery with an inherent creativeness to create some interesting summer sippers.

In addition to the flagship kölsch, stout and American IPA, Wilken has brought back his UK IPA. The IPA — India Pale Ale — was originally created by British brewers shipping beer to soldiers in India. Heavier in malt and hops for the long journey, British IPAs are less pungent and citrusy compared to American styles with full mouthfeel and subtle, smooth hop fin-ish. Wilken use all English ingredients to get this one right.

Like bready bananas? Hoodoo’s German hefeweizen fills the bill. A traditional Ger-man weissbier, this is “one we’ve brewed that every summer since we’ve opened,” Wilken said. Perfect for a hot day, the earthy goodness and yellow haze offer a summery feel in a glass.

A first time addition to HooDoo’s rotat-ing beer lineup, the rye saison is sweet,

spicy, tangy and dry all at once. “Rye can be spicy in beer, so we use all pilsner malt, then some malted rye,” Wilken said, add-ing that HooDoo derives any spiciness in its Belgian-style beers without spices. “We just try to get it out of the rye, which works pretty well,” he explained.

Making a summer encore perfor-mance — and using the same yeast as the saison — is the Belgian Golden Strong. Bright, gold-colored and cloyingly sweet with a subtle hint of clove and banana, this beer sports a high alcohol content bolstered by the addition of candy sugar in the boil.

49th State Brewing Company

Head brewer Jay Bullen talks excit-edly about 49th State’s White Peach Wheat — an American wheat base pumped up with white peach puree flown in from California’s Napa Valley. The beer is dry, bright and snappy with a subtle breadiness and the lingering allure of white peach. “It’s not sweet and artificial like a lot of fruit beers that add flavoring or extract,” Bullen said. “It doesn’t have that false can-dy flavor.” True, the sweetness is subtle on the classic wheat base — perfect for cutting the heat or smoke.

Summer at 49th State also marks the return of Summerfest Lager. Unfiltered, this hazy German-styled lager is hopped like an American pale ale with a healthy dose of Magnum and Mandarina Bavar-ia hops. The latter imparts an amazing orange-like finish and citrus rush in the initial nose.

Seward’s Folly Imperial Stout returns too, updated with cocoa nibs and vanilla beans. “It’s a special treatment over the usual version,” Bullen explained. Black as night, creamy, thick and rich, hints of chocolate from both the nibs and roasted malts slip to the forefront, while a vanilla sweetness sneaks up from behind. Bullen added that this beer is being poured with nitrogen (“Nitro”) instead of normal CO2, bolstering the head retention and accentu-ating “that chocolate malt and roastiness without it tasting like burnt coffee.”

Finally, Solstice IPA celebrates the lon-gest day of the year (and summer in gener-al) with a great session brew made for sun-shiny days. Glowing gold with 2-Row and Crystal malts and riding a hefty triple-hop infusion, this IPA is a citrusy, lip-smacking easy-drinker.

Pondering these fine creations levies one important question: Where to start?

There is no wrong answer.Glenn BurnSilver is a former News-Miner fea-tures editor now living in Arizona.

Interior Alaska breweries celebrate the taste of summerWhat’s your pick for best beer in Fairbanks? You’ll have a chance to vote in the 2016 Readers’ Choice poll.

July 21, 2015

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N STeacher Principal School

The school district congratulates all of the winners in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

Notice of Nondiscrimination: The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is an equal employment and educational opportunity institution.

West Valley High

Lathrop HighSchool

Mackenzie Staiger Woodriver Elementary

Teacher

k 1 2 n o r t h s t a r . o r g

Grant Guy Woodriver Elementary

Principal

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Have a category you would like to see in the 2016 Readers’ Choice poll? Email your suggestion to [email protected].



Congratulations!Congratulations to the Daily News-Miner

GOLD RUSH BINGO winners for June.

Pictured from left to right:FDNM circulation customerservice manager Sam Crabtree, Jeanine Doxey $150 winner, Doreen Hayward $100 winner, and Rachel Moses $75 winner. Not present are the employees from Kelly’s Alaska Country Inn $25 winner.

Special thanks to Mayor Luke Hopkins for lending his Chief of Staff Jeff Jacobson (pictured left with DNM

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This Business Spot-light was first published in the News-Min-er on Jan. 26, 2014.

By Sam [email protected]

It’s now well established that Fairbank-sans have a near-insatiable appetite for falafel. During Pita Place’s summer lunch-time rush, the College Road falafel stand attracts a long line of customers.

But when Nadav Weiss and Teri Gross opened Pita Place at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market in 2007, the couple didn’t know if Fairbanksans had a taste for the Middle Eastern fried chickpea dish, or would even know what it was.

“We thought we’d have to set up a web-site to explain what it was,” Weiss said last week outside the kitchen of the recently expanded food stand. In the kitchen, chickpeas were boiling and onions were being cut for the day’s falafels. This year, Pita Place is doing its first-ever winter business. It began selling falafel at the University of Alaska Fairbanks student union last week.

The menu at Pita Place is simple and has changed little since the business opened: half-size falafels, full size falafels, Turkish coffee and soft drinks. They’ve recently experimented with whole-wheat pita and a falafel egg scramble. Some of the spices and a specialized pita oven come from Israel. In the summer, veg-etables including cabbage, lettuce and cucumber come from Interior farms. The goal has been to keep it simple and authentic. It’s gotten the stamp of approv-al from visiting Israelis, Weiss said with some pride.

“When Israelis come they say, ‘Wow, just like home,’” he said.

Thirteen years ago, Weiss was an Israeli backpacker. He completed his military service and set out to see the world, spe-cifically Alaska. In Anchorage, he met Gross, who grew up in Fairbanks. The two later got married and moved to Israel, where Weiss got a job with an organic seed manufacturer.

The idea for the falafel stand came during their honeymoon, because they wanted to move back to Alaska, but need-ed work to replace Weiss’ seed job. They liked falafel and had noticed Fairbanks lacked a pita place.

One problem: They’d never cooked falafel. Nor had either ever owned a business, except for a warm bun and hot chocolate stand — the Israeli version of a

lemonade stand — Weiss had growing up.They started small, cooking many

batches of falafel to perfect their recipe,

and selling two days a week at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market before setting up their stand a few blocks away.

In general, everything has been more complicated than they would have thought, Weiss said. Last summer, for example, the Fairbanks market unex-pectedly ran out of chickpeas. To keep up production without their main ingre-dient, they had people go store-to-store in Anchorage buying chickpeas — also known as garbanzo beans — and over-nighting them to Fairbanks. They’ve since found a more reliable chickpea supplier.

Despite being at the end of the world’s supply chain, Fairbanks has usually been a good place to do business.

“Fairbanks people want to support Fairbanks businesses,” Gross said. “We have become friends with a lot of other small-business owners, and it’s been help-ful and encouraging.”Contact staff writer Sam Friedman at 459-7545. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMcrime.

Pita Place a favorite spot for a quick, healthy lunch

Pita Place was voted Best Place for a Healthy Lunch in the 2015 Readers’ Choice poll. NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO

The menu at Pita Place is simple and has changed little since the business opened: half-

size falafels, full size falafels, Turkish coffee and soft drinks. ... Some of the spices and a

specialized pita oven come from Israel. ... The goal has been to keep it simple and authentic.



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B e s t D o c t o rB e s t D o c t o r

EDITOR’S NOTE: This Business Spotlight was first published in the News-Miner on Sept. 7, 2014.

By Sam [email protected]

Water is an important coffee ingredi-ent, which is why Alaska Coffee Roast-ing Co. is trucking water to its new coffee stand location inside the Museum of the North.

The coffee house began operating a coffee stand July 1 inside the museum. Unlike their predecessor at the museum, the business hasn’t been satisfied with using a filter to remove the minerals from the university water.

They’ve been bringing water up the hill from their main location on Geist Road, although they are considering installing a purification system at the new location, said general manager Sarah Posma.

Pickiness about water is just one of many ways that Alaska Coffee Roasting Co. is particular about its coffee. As the name suggests, the business roasts its own coffee.

It also sells roasted beans at the Geist Road store and at the Fairbanks Sam’s Club. But there are no plans to get into the wholesale coffee line more seriously.

“We’re really about being vertically integrated and quality centric. We don’t have the structure that Kaladi Brothers (in Anchorage) does where they whole-sale to a whole lot of cafes,” Posma said. “We don’t want to do that. We want to make sure we have control of the product and make sure it’s represented properly.”

Coffee roasting businesses weren’t nearly as common in Fairbanks in 1993, when Michael Gesser founded Alaska Coffee Roasting Co. down the street from its current home on Geist Road.

Gesser is from New York and came to

Fairbanks during the pipeline boom.He still owns the business, but he is

often in Europe traveling with Alexander Rossi, a Formula One race car driver the company sponsors, Posma said.

Alaska Coffee Roasting Co. is popular with students at nearby West Valley High School. Posma, one such student, start-ed working as a barista after graduating and was promoted to general manager in 2008.

In her experience, Fairbanksans taste for coffee has improved in recent years.

“People are embracing more of the cof-fee drinks rather than the milk and sug-

ar drinks,” she said. “It’s nice to see that people really appreciate a black coffee or an Americano and are steering less towards the white chocolate mochas with extra caramel and whipped cream.”

Her own tastes have followed a similar progression.

As a student her favorite drink was a raspberry mocha. She now drinks pure espresso.

The business buys its coffee from dis-tributor Royal Coffee in California. One of their most popular coffees is usually

Alaska Coffee Roasting serves up a genuine brew



T h a n k y o u a g a i n F a i r b a n k s , f o r s u p p o r t i n g a l o c a l l y o w n e d b u s i n e s s

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Ethiopian Yergoshef, a coffee from a mountainous region in the Horn of Afri-ca where coffee once grew wild and is now cultivated.

The expansion on the university cam-pus isn’t the first for ACRC. In 2011, the business expanded in a different direc-tion, to North Miami, Florida.

That branch was opened by Gesser’s sister who lives in Florida, and with a few climate-related adjustments to the menu, the store is almost identical to the Geist Road location.

Floridians like the Alaska-owned busi-ness although they’re sometimes puzzled by the business’ tropical location, Posma said. Occasional vacationing Fairbank-sans stop by the Miami location for a taste of home.

The new Museum of the North loca-tion has been popular so far, although it’s been getting slower at the museum as tourism season winds down, she said.

The business hopes to make the muse-um a popular study spot for students.Contact staff writer Sam Friedman at 459-7545. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMcrime.

COFFEEContinued from 30

Alaska Coffee Roasters was voted Best Cup of Coffee in Fairbanks in the 2015 Readers’ Choice poll.NEWS-MINER FILE

PHOTO



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T A C O A Z T E C A T A C O A Z T E C A T A C O A Z T E C A

M E X I C A N R E S T A U R A N T M E X I C A N R E S T A U R A N T M E X I C A N R E S T A U R A N T

M A Y A N P A L A C E M A Y A N P A L A C E M A Y A N P A L A C E

for VotingThank You Fairbanks & North Pole

TACO AZTECA & THE MAYAN PALACE#1 Best Mexican Food!

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