Homer may best be known for its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and outstanding fishing opportunities, but it’s also a great place to shop. Whether you’re looking to stay dry while you’re out fishing or to take home something uniquely Alaskan, the shops in Homer have it all.Â
There are few chain stores in Homer. Instead, you’ll find many local independent shops that offer unique, Alaskan-made goods. Some creations are exclusively made right here, along with essential gear for outdoor adventures.Â
Do be aware that if Homer, Alaska shopping is going to be a big focus of your trip, you’ll want to visit during the summer as some retailers are only open seasonally, particularly those located on the Homer Spit. That said, as this is a year-round community, you’re likely to find most of what you need in the off-season as well.
The hottest shopping spots are right downtown as well as on the Homer Spit.
Shopping in Town
Homer Gold Mine Gifts
One of the most popular gift shops in Homer, Homer Gold Mine Gifts is jam-packed with all sorts of items worth pulling your wallet out for. You’ll find everything from smoked salmon and halibut to fuzzy animal slippers, a wide range of apparel, Alaskan-themed novelties, and Christmas ornaments.Â
Even if you’re not shopping, there are quite a few unique and interesting items to admire, like a bike made out of silverware. The owner even displays his 1957 Fuel Injected Corvette along with a 72″ moose mascot.
Homer’s Jeans
Truly a community boutique, Homer’s Jeans doesn’t just sell jeans. This Homer-based business has been around since 1982, selling a unique collection of clothing designed for the Alaskan lifestyle while incorporating the culture and style of the community itself. It includes a carefully curated mix of contemporary designers and outdoor labels as well as being known for giving back.
Homer Bookstore
The oldest continually operating bookstore in Alaska, the Homer Bookstore with its mascot, a floating sea otter reading a book, was founded in 1974. It’s one of only a few places to buy new books within a few hundred miles.Â
Joy Post and her son, Lee Post, have owned it since 1978. Over the years, it’s been a great resource for the many writers who have lived in Homer, including Tom Bodett, an author and NPR humorist.Â
NOMAR
NOMAR is a Homer, Alaska shopping institution, here since 1978, originally housed in a converted GMC school bus. It’s known for its handmade items designed for extreme conditions, including Alaskan challenges. Many of the items here are made right in Homer! All are very high-quality, including bags, cold-weather accessories, rugged house-label jackets, sweaters and other apparel, boat enclosures, and commercial fishing gear.
North Wind Home Collection
Looking for nautically-themed decor or that perfect gift? North Wind Home Collection is an independent local shop where you’re sure to find that perfect item, from textiles, art, and stemware to clothing and accessories.Â
Shopping on the Homer Spit
Salty Girls Gift Shop
Salty Girls Gift Shop is often named by visitors as the best place for Homer, Alaska shopping with a wide range of gifts and other items that can’t be found anywhere else. If you had a great time at the Salty Dawg Saloon and forgot to pick up a Salty Dawg shirt or sweater, they’re sold here, too.
Alaska Salt Co.
All of the products at Alaska Salt Co. are harvested and handmade in Homer. In fact, the unique shop harvests sea salt right out of Kachemak Bay by hand and infuses it with Alaskan ingredients to make unique natural skincare and culinary products, from bath bombs and sea salt shampoo bars to the amazing Smoky Rhubarb Spit Salt.Â
Fair warning: many who purchase find themselves addicted! Luckily, there’s an online shop for buying after you return home.
Blue Urchin
If you’re looking to decorate your home with some Alaskan-inspired items like spawned sockeye salmon metal art or a scallop shell wall hook, the Blue Urchin is a must. They also offer a gorgeous, hand-curated collection of Alaska-made jewelry.
Inua – The Spirit of Alaska
Inua carries Native Alaskan crafts from across the state, including high-quality handcrafted jewelry, apparel, and carvings. It’s a great place to browse the impressive talents of local artisans as you soak up the ambiance of the boardwalk on the Spit.
Coal Point Seafood Co.
Run by a family of life-long Alaskan residents, Coal Point Seafood Co. offers Alaskan seafood that’s considered the “cream of the crop,” known for its mouthwatering flavors and nutritional goodness. You can buy fresh wild Alaskan salmon and halibut along with gift items such as cookbooks, dips, sauces, and honey.
End Your Day at Land’s End Resort
After a day of Homer, Alaska shopping, exploring, or anything else, there’s no better place to end your day than Land’s End Resort. It sits at the end of the Homer Spit just steps from some of the most enticing shops and eateries in town, including the popular Chart Room Restaurant, right on-site.