I recently returned home from a cruise through Alaska, and I've been thinking about how to write…read morethis review. I could talk about what I purchased or the great customer service, but I don't quite know how to put into words the SPECIALNESS of this shop, in this very special town.
So here's what happened:
The stop in Skagway was the one stop where I had nothing planned--my husband was going on an excursion with his parents that didn't allow young children, so I was spending the day with my 5-year-old. I decided to grab the stroller and just wing it. My only goal was to stop at Doughboy, having seen a pretty compelling TikTok video about their fried dough. Unsurprisingly, it was delicious. I wandered the streets with my son as he started to get tired. I was struck by the beauty and vibe of the town, but after an arduous search to find my kiddo lunch (he is picky, and randomly, a committed vegetarian), I almost gave up and headed back to the ship.
I'M SO GLAD I DIDN'T.
Once we sorted lunch, we were able to reset, and that special vibe I'd felt earlier returned. It became an adventure. The day got better and better as we explored stores, meadows, and parks, and met locals. But the absolute peak of that day, and what will now be inextricably tied to our love of Skagway, was Wild Yukon Furs.
I don't know why we went in. I definitely wasn't in the market for fur and knew nothing about this shop. But there was something that drew me there. The minute we stepped inside, everything we were loving about Skagway felt present--it was like the best vibe place in the best vibe Alaskan town we visited (and one of the best vibe places, in one of the best vibe towns, anywhere). And this is the part I just can't fully explain--the magical feeling of warmth, beauty, and connectedness.
Initially, I was struck by the beautiful curation of goods there. As I was looking around, my kid was suddenly being entertained and engaged by a woman who works there. Her name escapes me at the moment, but she was exactly the right human at the right time--like Mary Poppins. She explained she was prepared for kids like him, and pulled out a fake mustache for him to wear. Suddenly, my sweet little boy was Freddie Mercury meets lumberjack. That mustache alone made it worth the stop, as it provided him endless delight. Also, like magic, I could shop around without being interrupted or worrying he was going to accidentally break something. It was like... childcare.
During this time, I found a beautiful necklace. Now, I'm not typically a necklace person. I'm an earrings person--I wear a necklace maybe twice a year. However, this piece was beautiful and just spoke to me. It was handcrafted by Vanessa (who, if I understood correctly, owns the store with her husband, George). The opalite on it represents the northern lights, which is reflected in the way it looks as it catches different light. I have worn it every day since.
As I was purchasing the necklace, George and Vanessa arrived. They were full of warmth, kindness, and authenticity. I talked with George for a long time. He is full of knowledge, wisdom, and good will. I loved learning about his Tlingit heritage--it was especially cool to hear him speak the language. His love for his culture was infectious, and I suspect the Tlingit people are at the magical heart of what feels so deeply compelling about Skagway.
Do you see why it was hard to write this review? It all feels important and relevant.
This is not a way I typically describe/review places--I love nature, but I'm not running around calling every place magical. I think my first Yelp review was an angry one about the post office. So you'll just have to believe me and see for yourself. At minimum, you'll find beautiful handmade goods and kind people. But I predict you will also feel the specialness and walk away with far more than a necklace.
