Noticeable renovations and a new sign can now be seen where the Pour House restaurant caught fire and closed a little over a year ago.
We talked to owner Jenny Smithwick about her purchase of the building and plans for it.
Smithwick: “That’s one of the things I am excited about is, I guess, claiming part of what’s left of Soldotna’s Sterling Highway frontage for local businesses rather than selling it out to big corporations that want to knock it down and put in outlet stores. Or outlet isn’t the right word, franchises.”
The local shops inside the building will be Orange Poppy, a unique home decor store; Northern Roots, a full service salon; and Chez Moi Boutique which will relocate from it’s current location. The date for opening is set for March of this year.
Smithwick also owns the neighboring Pizza Boys and was excited to be able to update the old building that has been a part of Soldotna for so long.
We asked her if the fire damage had caused any unforseen work requirements.
Smithwick: “It added some layers to the process but its been good in the long run because basically since we had to strip down to the bare bones it’s going to be like a brand new building. So, blessing in disguise.”