“
So they persevered.
“It took five years of carrying water up the boat ramp at Crescent Harbor in downtown Sitka,” says Jim. “We would take the skiff out, fill it up with water, take it back in, take it home and play with how to make good salt.”
By 2007, or perhaps 2006—Jim and Darcy laugh as they openly disagree about the timeline—they presented their first true sample of flake salt to a Seattle chef. “He came out of his kitchen after tasting it and just went crazy for it,” says Jim. “’I’m your first customer!’ he had said. And that’s when I realized we might have something here.”
Over a decade later, Jim and Darcy produce about 500 pounds of salt a week when they are in operation, managing every aspect of the business from running a retail store, to placing orders, to waking up in the middle of the night to check the levels and temperatures on the machinery that creates the magical, light flakes. They
have the help of one employee now and their black lab that serves as the shop’s unofficial mascot.
They attribute their company’s growth to their perseverance and the support from the community
of Sitka. It took several years of saving money from
the small batches they would sell directly to chefs and an idea that just wouldn’t quit for the Micheners to fully jump in and open their first salt plant.
An economic development loan from the city of Sitka gave them the push they needed to build. When starting
a business on an isolated island, cut off from the road system in Alaska, there are a lot of shipping, labor and
cost realities to consider.
“We felt a real moral obligation to build out that facility.
I think 85% of everything we purchased came from local suppliers. When you look at your neighbors and you’re playing with their money, it does weigh on you,” says Jim. “The city was so behind us,” adds Darcy. “They had hope.”
That hope and support has kept the Micheners going. Their sea salt is now found in Northwest Whole Foods stores, other grocery stores and restaurants in the Pacific Northwest, as well as a variety of shops from Alaska to New York to Boston. And visitors can meet the Micheners (and their dog) any day in the summer or holiday season
at their store in Sitka. Their inviting space welcomes the curious with samples, lots of options and some Michener-tested recipes to try.
Visitors can’t help but feel the enthusiasm behind this husband and wife team and root for their success.
“We do everything together, and for some reason, it works.” Darcy laughs. Jim adds, “We can’t get away
from each other. We’re in it together.”
Shop Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company's Lincoln Street storefront or find the perfect Sitka keepsake at one
of the shops, galleries or unique retail listed below
and in our directory.
SHOPPING
VISIT SITKA MAGAZINE
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Shop
Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company alaskapureseasalt.com / Cabin Fever Gallery & Gifts cabin-fever-gallery.business.site
Goldsmith Gallery alaskajewelry.com / Harry Race Pharmacy & Photo sitkapharmacies.com/harry-race
Island Artists Gallery islandartistsgallery.com / Sitka Fresh Retail northpacificseafoods.com