Talkeetna Roadhouse Is Changing Hands After 30 Years

The Talkeetna Roadhouse is changing hands at the end of the month. To celebrate 30 years of donning an apron, owner Trisha Costello hosted a potluck to introduce the new owner, Bee McLaughlin.  KTNA’s Colleen Love has this story.

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The scene was crowded at the Talkeetna Roadhouse, as people bid good-by to long-time owner, Trisha Costello. After 30 years of baking its signature cinnamon rolls and razzies, Costello is retiring. Her face was etched with emotion, as members of the community hugged her and presented her with flowers.

“It’s a lot.  It’s just a lot of emotion.  It’s a lot of years when you think about all the people that you’ve known, all the customers, the relationship I have with the building.  I’ve been under it, I’ve been on it, I’ve touched everything in here.  Looking at a bunch of old pictures, and just, you know, all these different generations of people coming through, whether they were local folks or they were transient folks coming through.”

On October 1st, the Talkeetna Roadhouse will change hands. New owner, Bee McLaughlin spent the summer with Costello, learning how to operate the long-standing inn and bakery. The Talkeetna Roadhouse originally opened in 1917 and is steeped in history. The historic building is one of many aspects that attracted McLaughlin.

“I have always wanted to own a bakery and I’ve always wanted to come back to Alaska. This state brings me so much joy and doing what I love, which is baking and combining the two is pure magic.  Right when I walked in, right when I did my tour, I knew this was it and this, this is my dream come true.”

McLaughlin reflected on what she hopes accomplish in her first week at the helm.

“Really sit down and figure out what my plan is and see how I can keep what Trisha’s built the past 30 years and align my love for baking with that.  I studied French pastries so, uh maybe try to incorporate more croissants, brioche, things like that.  And I love sourdough. That’s my passion so a lot of bread… utilize that famous sourdough starter.”

Costello says she looks forward to pursing other interests, and that she will likely find herself in the Talkeetna Roadhouse again… but, this time, as a patron. 

In Talkeetna, I’m Colleen Love.