Here’s What Costco Looks Like In Anchorage, Alaska's Profile
Updated 13 minutes ago. Posted 23 minutes ago
Costco is a glorious place. We all know this, right?
(And nope — this isn’t sponsored by Costco. I just love it, OK?? 🙃)
But all Costcos are a little bit different in terms of what they sell. For example, you can pick up bakery platters of chocolate crepes at Costco Paris — or bulk sashimi at Costco Japan.
I knew the differences were most obvious at Costco’s international locations — but I’d never really thought much about the differences between Costcos across America.
One place where that’s apparent? Costco Alaska.
Nicholas Kamm / Getty Images, Mariah Osborne Krueger
Mariah Osborne Krueger recently posted a virtual tour of her local Anchorage Costco on Facebook. And I, for one, was low-key fascinated by it.
“Personally, Costco is my happy place,” Mariah told BuzzFeed. “I do most of my shopping there. Anytime someone asks where I got something, they usually answer it themselves by saying, “Nevermind! Probably Costco.”
As Mariah explains, even the warehouse setup of Alaskan Costcos is a bit different — with ultra-insulated walls and industrial heaters hanging from the ceiling.
They also sell a bunch of items that are Alaska staples. Here are some highlights:
1.
Bear spray
Mariah Osborne Krueger
Mariah sums up: “Spray and pray!!”
2.
Blackout curtains for Alaska summers — where there can be 20+ hours of daylight per day.
Mariah Osborne Krueger
As Mariah explains: During the summer in Anchorage, the sun sets at midnight and rises at 3 a.m. Alternatively, during the winter, there are only about four hours of daylight per day — and Costco sells S.A.D. lights instead.
3.
Wool socks year-round
Mariah Osborne Krueger
Even now in July — Alaska’s warmest month — average daily temperatures range from a low of 48° F to a high of 65° F.
4.
Float coats
Mariah Osborne Krueger
For boats! The jacket version of a life vest.
5.
Whole pigs for roasting
Mariah Osborne Krueger
I’m part-Filipina and my mind is kinda blown at the idea of whole roasted pig (or lechon, as we call it!) available at Costco. 🤯
6.
Tons and tons of fishing gear — including some you’d expect:
Mariah Osborne Krueger
Fishing rods, storage coolers, wading pants.
7.
And some you might not — like these huge salmon traps:
Mariah Osborne Krueger
“This is a dipnet trap used for scooping salmon out of the river,” explains Mariah. “It’s very unique to Alaska because it’s used for subsistence fishing only.”
8.
Lotta crabs, of course!
10.
A corner with propane tanks and a casual chainsaw:
11.
Tents galore:
Mariah Osborne Krueger
In the fall and winter, these will swap out for more seasonal outdoor gear — like trekking poles, snow shoes, make-shift carports, and sleds.
12.
And a ton of mosquito repellent:
Mariah Osborne Krueger
To fend off, as Mariah says, the Alaska state bird. 🦟
13.
A cracker called “Sailor Boy Pilot Bread”:
Mariah Osborne Krueger
“This is stale round cracker,” Mariah says. “It’s an Alaskan staple and the only state that the company ships to.”
14.
Fan-favorite ginger beer:
15.
And doomsday food with a shelf life of up to 25 years:
What’s the most interesting or super regional thing your local Costco sells? Share in the comments below!
Tasty
Get all the best Tasty recipes in your inbox! Sign up for the Tasty newsletter today!