The Bookstore opened its doors Wednesday for the first time since March 15. Owner Amy Kane, who recently purchased the business, was only open for a week before COVID-19 restrictions forced non-essential businesses to close.

Kane had about a dozen customers by mid-day Wednesday. “It’s been so exciting,” Kane said. “I’m excited to see people.”

Kane has been working throughout the mandatory closures and since Alaska began reopening in recent weeks. Similar to other businesses, she remained cautious and kept her doors closed. She took book orders and worked on stocking her shelves and improving her space.

“I’ve been here almost seven days a week,” Kane said. “What else am I going to do? I’m not going to sit at home and watch Netflix. I’ve been forming the store in a direction that I hope that people in Haines are interested in.”

Kane bought the business in the fall and moved from Sitka to Haines in December to begin renovating the space. Because she was only open a week before closing, she’s ineligible for federal aid.

“I fall through all the cracks for aid,” Kane said. “I don’t have any financial history. Economic injury is not substantiated. It was written in bold from my rejection from the small business administration. I can’t prove that I’ve suffered any loss.”

Kane said now that her door is open to the public, she plans to limit the store to four customers at a time and she prefers if people wear masks inside the shop. She’s open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

More Haines businesses are also opening their doors and expanding their services as the state lifted more restrictions last month.

Ampersand AK also opened Wednesday.

“We have freshened up the space and we’re excited to see people again,” co-owner Amelia Nash said.

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Restaurants are still closed to the public but are offering takeout dining.

Raevyn’s Café owner Ryan Parker said he’s practicing an abundance of caution and is relying on Dr. Anne Zink, the state’s medical director, for advice.

Bamboo Room owner Christy Tengs Fowler is also remaining cautious. She said she is considering opening the bar Friday and Saturday nights but it depends on how many cases of COVID-19 arise.

Case counts were in the single digits through most of May. On June 2 there were 20 cases reported. On Sunday, 27 cases were reported, the highest per-day case count reported in Alaska. Seven cases were reported on Monday, June 1.

The Haines Borough administration building will be open for scheduled appointments. Staff placed a desk inside the foyer for people to meet with borough employees. The borough is asking residents to wear masks. Call 766-6400 to make an appointment.

The public library is also open and asking patrons to maintain social distancing practices. Aisles will have designated one-way paths. Masks and gloves are available to the public.

“We are letting people browse and use our computers,” library director Carolyn Goolsby said. “We sanitize everything after it’s been touched. We’re happy to see people in.”

Goolsby also asked patrons who checked books out during the closure to return their materials.