Monday, May 20, 2013

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Spenard Business Owners Thankful on Labor Day
By Kate McPherson
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ANCHORAGE - Many people spend Labor Day in Alaska relaxing with their friends and family; others use the opportunity to gain extra dollars with holiday pay.

As the nation celebrated hard working men, women and teens across the country, it wasn’t too hard to find an example of a dedicated worker locally in Spenard.

Inkyong Han and her husband came to Anchorage 20 years ago from Korea and bought into Quiznos, a franchise sandwich shop.

Using the business and marketing skills acquired running Quiznos, they opened their own business - the Revolving Sushi Bar - one year ago.

“People really love it because it's a new concept to Anchorage, this community, so they are really excited,” said Han.

The State’s Department of Labor says Anchorage gained 3,300 jobs in 2011, up 2.2 percent from 2010.

But unemployment increased; Department of Labor statistics show Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped from 7.2 to 7.7 percent last month with 27,000 people out of work. Economists with the state say July’s increase is relatively high historically.