Local trappers need no longer buy their gear online and wait weeks for supplies to arrive.
Resident Ryan Cook this year launched Cookie’s General Store to help out his fellow trappers by selling traps, snares, scents and stretcher boards here.
Cook started the business after becoming frustrated with the time it took equipment he bought online to make it to Haines. “I’ve needed stuff and had to wait a couple weeks,” he said.
Cook bases his business out of his grandmother’s basement on Lutak Road. The big red house sits on the left side of the road, near the intersection of First Avenue and Lutak.
His wares include handmade stretcher boards, modeled after his grandfather’s pattern. They come in all sizes, from mink to marten and wolverine to wolf.
Though he has several loyal customers, Cook said he didn’t get into the business as a money-making venture. “It’s just to help the local trapper out a little bit,” he said.
“It’s hard to compete with the Internet, but I’m trying to make it affordable in town so they don’t have to wait for stuff. I’m not really making money on it,” Cook added.
Cook puts a “Cookie’s General Store” sign outside his Lutak location when the store is open. Interested buyers can pop in when the sign is out, or contact Cook at 303-0186.