Huhndorf Inc.

• Author: Brynko, B.L.
• Position: Native-Owned Enterprises - Company profile

Native-Owned Enterprises

Profiles of small businesses in Galena, Unalakleet, Kodiak and Tyonek

All across Alaska, businesses -- both small and large -- weather the natural fluctuations in the economy. These ups and downs test the true mettle of a company: Only the strong survive.

Here's a closer look at four small businesses and their Alaska Native owners. In these profiles, a team of merchants, a lodge owner, a tour operator and a cargo hauler share some of the pros and cons of running their own shows. These small companies have carved niches for themselves in Alaska's business world.

Huhndorf Inc.

PROVIDING GOOD SERVICE IS THE key business strategy for entrepreneurs Max and Bev Huhndorf, owners of the general store in Galena. "I think when you want to serve people's needs and when you do the right thing, people let their appreciation show," says Max.

And they did. The Huhndorf team earned top honors at the Alaska Federation of Natives' 1988 annual convention, where they were presented the President's Award for Small Business, touting their achievements over the years.

The award came as "a total surprise" to the Huhndorfs. But chances are the 450 to 600 people in the 6 communities they serve weren't surprised. The Huhndorfs have a longstanding commitment to meeting the needs of their neighbors and customers.

"We're mainly a grocery store," explains Bev. "But since we serve a small community, we usually get what our customers ask for." The general store's gamut includes everything from lettuce to fabrics.

The Huhndorfs' market isn't exactly what you'd expect to find in a relatively remote spot in the Interior. Their new 3,500-square-foot store features fresh produce, a 26-foot frozen food case and a 12-foot dairy case, not to mention wide aisles and shopping carts, luxuries along the Yukon River.

During the past 18 years, the Huhndorfs have had their fair share of ups and downs. Says Bev, "We've experienced it all." Last year was good, for instance, when the military and firefighting money came to the Interior. This year, the economy is slow.

But they've faced tough times before; when they started out in 1971, for instance. Bev describes their first year in business as just trying to "keep body and soul...