Unalakleet Lodge.

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

Unalakleet Lodge

WHEN LEONARD BROWN REturned to his hometown of Unalakleet in 1966, he expected to enjoy some R&R away from his job in the National Guard. But before his vacation ended, Brown found himself up to his neck in hamburger patties, nonstop orders and a sizzling enterprise.

"I had no intention of starting a business, but workers from Matanuska Electric who were up here at the time doing some work needed a place to stay and someone to cook for them," says Brown.

On Nov. 1, 1966, he set up seven tables and modest accommodations for his new venture -- Burgers to Go -- in a small building on land that he inherited from his grandfather. The business kept him hopping.

So much so, that by 1969, he had expanded his burger business into a full-fledged lodge. And Brown hasn't stopped building yet. Open year-round, the Unalakleet Lodge features seven rooms for customers and lots of good, hot food. When business is booming, there are accommodations for another 35 people in a separate building.

Business has been brisk for Brown. He figures the lodge is usually booked at 70 percent capacity, or about 5 guests per day. Business was good this summer, especially in August. Brown estimates the lodge served between 40 and 100 meals per day in its peak season.

His clientele consists of federal and state employees and school teachers from Nome, because the Bering Strait School District office was moved to Unalakleet three years ago. "During the winter, we get plenty of overflow traffic from the school district -- auditors, draftsmen, accountants, politicians," the proprietor...