Handyman offers odd-job services
Josh Benassi is back in business after a year-long hiatus from his handyman company, “Josh of All Trades.”
Benassi is now available for small woodworking projects and has been installing shelves, fixing staircases and installing gates around town since September. He is also ready to start shoveling snow off rooftops.
Benassi said he is up for “anything fun or anything that needs done.”
He is licensed by the state and borough, but his insurance won’t kick in until January, so big projects like building woodsheds are on hold until then.
Benassi is also working toward his chimney sweep certification, which would allow him to clean, install and refurbish chimneys. The certification requires him to take a test in the Lower 48, as no place in Alaska offers the test. He hopes to obtain the certification by spring.
Prices are subject to a sliding scale to accommodate different budgets, he said.
Call 303-JOSH (5674).
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Garage Sale store gets new owners
When Helen Mooney told her husband Nick she wanted to buy The Garage Sale Store, he was resistant.
“He said, ‘You know the amount of crap you’d bring home if we owned that place?’ Because he knew I was a frequent shopper,” Helen said.
After talking it over, though, the two agreed to buy the store – located at about 1 Mile Haines Highway – from Ralph Burkhardt.
The Mooneys assumed ownership Oct. 1 and put up a sign with the new name Sunday: What’s In Store.
Helen said the store is basically going to remain the same – it will still be a consignment shop where the seller gets 65 percent and the store takes 35 percent. She does intend to expand the clothes section a bit, though.
“I tell people it is the Haines Wal-Mart. It has a little bit of everything with everyday low prices,” she said.
Kitchenware, fishing equipment, DVDs, jewelry, stereo systems and other miscellaneous wares can be found at What’s In Store, and Mooney said she is glad to be able to keep a place like it open in Haines. “(Burkhardt) really wanted the right person to have the store. It provides a huge service and it really is used a lot.”
Mooney said she is also automating the business, so items will have barcodes, and credit cards will be accepted.
What’s In Store is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
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Podsiki creates vacation rental
Greg Podsiki is renting out the lower floor of his Mud Bay Road home to those seeking a relaxing getaway in rural Alaska.
Podsiki started Hidden Cove Farm Vacation Rental May 1. The rental apartment has a private entrance and bathroom, with a full bedroom, living room and kitchenette. Podsiki said he intends to have another apartment and a full kitchen installed in the current apartment by spring.
Since opening, Podsiki said the room has been booked about 50 percent of the time. Reasonable prices, views of the Chilkat River mudflats and the serenity of being out of town have helped the business take off, he said.
Podsiki also has a farm with a horse, a goat, chickens, geese, and ducks, which appeals to a lot of the renters. One man was particularly fond of a chicken that would come to the door of the apartment every day to beg for treats.
“It was like his pet chicken came every day. He just loved it,” Podsiki said.
Rates are $85 a night for the first two people and $10 per night for each additional person with a minimum two-night stay. A one-night stay is $100.
Call 1-800-572-8006 to make a reservation.