Published on 1 January 2008

Three Bears Alaska has a new store in Butte, Montana to add to its already successful Alaskan grocery stores in Tok, Seward, Valdez, Kenai and Mat-Su; Like Alaska Silk Pie's below, Three Bears had a modest beginning, but built a sound business to serve its growing Alaskan clientele, as well as new clients in the lower 48 states.

Grocery Retailer Expands South With New Markets and New Format

Yes, there are a number of analogies to "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" on their company website, but what is boldly apparent is that Goldilocks finding the right fit and proclaiming "this is just right" is the philosophy of the Three Bears Alaska company.   They have designed retail grocery stores with just the right fit for their respective host communities.

If you haven't already, you should visit a Three Bears Alaska store yourself.   The Kenai, Matsu and Butte (Montana) stores, in particular were developed in Alaska by Larry Weisz Sr. and David Weisz. They blend a conventional retail store with a warehouse store arriving at the best of both worlds, with only one stop. While it may be a relatively new and unfamiliar format, it was designed specifically by and for their clientele.     It has a different feel. You walk in and it feels like your very own store - clean, well designed with wide aisles and the product selection offers small or bulk purchases. You will note the personal contact with its customers, which goes way beyond an obligatory hello or good-bye. Communication is genuine and their associates take the opportunity to listen to their customers feed-back and act on it.     Three Bears Alaska adds to that shopping experience by keeping its prices low and for that reason, has a policy of not advertising to assure a bottom line savings for its customers. Three Bears Alaska offers a unique shopping experience and product value in Alaska's communities that previously were under served. It appears they plan to continue growing with these communities and add new ones within and outside of Alaska.

Three Bears Alaska also offers itself as a commercial outlet for locally sourced Alaskan product. They have a long-standing track record of sourcing from Alaska producers, offering a year-round channel for regional distribution.     As a testament, Three Bears Alaska canvassed Global Food Alaska - 2007, this past summer to identify products that may work well in their growing retail outlets within and now outside of Alaska. Paul Sonnenburg, Sr. VP of Marketing suggests there are many ways that Three Bears collaborates with Alaska producers and would like to continue doing so as they grow their business. He encourages all that have not yet visited a Three Bears Alaska store and tell them about your shopping experience.   This is an unique opportunity for Alaskan consumers and producers to support and work with an Alaskan-based retailer that is employing new strategies and pioneering new markets.

Shane Ford, Store Manager
Three Bears Alaska, Butte, Montana
45 Three Bears Drive, Butte, MT 59701
406-494-7547, Pharmacy, 406-494-4116
No Membership Required, All Major Credit Cards and EBTs Accepted
Fuel Station Open 24/7

If you have not read head the Three Bears story, check out their website or Alaska store locations (below).

Valdez
103 Egan Street
Valdez, AK 99686
907-835-5480

Tok
Mile 1314 Alaska Highway
Tok, AK 99780
907-883-5195
Seward
1711 Seward Highway
Seward, AK 99664
907-224-2081

Matanuska Valley
8151 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
Palmer, AK 99645
907-746-3888
Pharmacy
907-746-3891

Kenai
10575 Kenai-Spur Highway
Kenai, AK 99611
907-283-6577
907-283-6576 fax
Pharmacy
907-335-2061