Note: KTNA’s General Manager, Corinne Smith, serves on the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
In the coming weeks, visitors to Talkeetna can expect to see yellow stickers displayed on many of the local businesses. The stickers say “Talkeetna Together” and they have a special meaning.
The Talkeetna Roadhouse has been closed to the walk-in public for over a year. A place where, in usual times, patrons sit family style, elbow to elbow, passing apple butter back and forth. According to Trisha Costello, owner of the Roadhouse, that just wasn’t the right business model during the pandemic. So she revamped her business into a more COVID friendly environment.
”I opened the rooms back up and I’ve been hosting people, summer, all winter. I assigned bathrooms to each room, so they have their own private bathroom. You know, I cook breakfast for those folks. I always wear my mask. I actually have a little table tent. It’s got a picture of me with a mask and it says, “Hi. I’m Trisha. I’m the innkeeper.” And then the next panel has a picture of me without my mask. It says, “And this is what I look like.” But I also buffer the room stays by 24 hours on either side, so if a person books a room at the Roadhouse and they’re only one night, it’s actually three nights on my calendar.
Visitors to the Talkeetna Roadhouse frequently express their gratitude to Trisha for keeping health a priority. And now, the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce, has launched the “Talkeetna Together” initiative, which will alert travelers to businesses, like the Talkeetna Roadhouse, who have committed to following the CDC guidelines for health and public safety.
The Chamber will be issuing yellow stickers with the “Talkeetna Together” logo for businesses who plan to follow the CDC guidelines with respect COVID-19, and who also plan to ask for compliance from their customers.
Trisha Costello, at the Roadhouse, has her sticker in hand and as many reservations as her mitigation plan will allow her to take. She thinks her customers will appreciate the campaign when looking for other activities to do in the area.
”If you go into an operator’s place or sign on a tour or whatever, then you know the operator has committed to these basic standards of safety.”
Bill Rodwell, President of the Chamber of Commerce, says he hopes people will visit Talkeetna this summer, but he thinks the initiative is an important part of reopening the area.
”When we’re all trying to figure out, do we open up our gates and welcome, you know, everyone to come and visit our town? There’s that balance with trying to keep everyone healthy, yet inviting people to come in. And, it seems like the general consensus turned to, well, yes we can welcome people, as long as we suggest safety measures. As long as we express to folks that hey, we’re a COVID safe community. Come visit but follow the recommended guidelines.”
More information about the “Talkeetna Together” initiative can be found at talkeetnachamber.org
