I'm Actually Low-Key Fascinated By This Costco In Alaska

    Who knew??

    Melissa Jameson
    by Melissa Jameson

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Costco is a glorious place. We all know this, right?

    bryan atkinson @Wow_no_inv

    Thinking about you lately

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    (And nope, this isn't sponsored by Costco. I just love it, OK?? 🙃)

    But all Costcos are a little bit different in terms of what they sell. For example, you can pick up bakery platters of chocolate crepes at Costco France — or bulk sashimi at Costco Japan.

    I knew the differences were most obvious at Costco's international locations — but I'd never really thought much about the differences between Costcos across America.

    A chocolate dessert made to look like the US Pentagon, available at Costco in Washington, DC.
    BuzzFeed

    (I should have, though! Because it wasn't until I moved to Washington, DC that I started seeing edible government buildings made of chocolate in Costco's bakery section.)

    One place where that's apparent? Costco Alaska.

    Nicholas Kamm / Getty Images, Mariah Osborne Krueger

    Mariah Osborne Krueger recently posted a virtual tour of her local Anchorage Costco on Facebook. And I, for one, was low-key fascinated by it.

    "Personally, Costco is my happy place," Mariah told BuzzFeed. "I do most of my shopping there. Any time someone asks where I got something, they usually answer it themselves by saying, 'Nevermind! Probably Costco.'”

    As Mariah explains, even the warehouse setup of Alaskan Costcos is a bit different — with ultra-insulated walls and industrial heaters hanging from the ceiling.

    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    They also sell a bunch of items that are Alaska staples. Here are some highlights:

    1. Bear spray

    Cans of bear spray at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    Mariah sums up: "Spray and pray!!"

    2. Blackout curtains for Alaskan summers, during which there can be 20+ hours of daylight per day.

    Blackout curtains at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    As Mariah explains: During the summer in Anchorage, the sun sets at midnight and rises at 3 a.m. Alternatively, during the winter, there are only about four hours of daylight per day — and Costco sells SAD lights instead.

    3. Wool socks year-round

    Crates of wool socks at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    Even now in July — Alaska's warmest month — average daily temperatures range from a low of 48° F to a high of 65°F.

    4. Float coats

    Float coats at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    For boats! The jacket version of a life vest.

    5. Whole pigs for roasting

    Whole pigs for roasting at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    I'm part-Filipina and my mind is kinda blown at the idea of whole roasted pig (or lechón, as we call it!) available at Costco. 🤯

    6. Tons and tons of fishing gear — including some you'd expect:

    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    Fishing rods, storage coolers, wading pants.

    7. And some you might not — like these huge salmon traps:

    Large salmon traps at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    "This is a dipnet trap used for scooping salmon out of the river," explains Mariah. "It's very unique to Alaska because it's used for subsistence fishing only."

    8. Lotta crabs, of course!

    Crabs in the seafood section of Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    9. And jumbo shrimp:

    Jumbo shrimp in the seafood section of Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    10. A corner with propane tanks and a casual chainsaw:

    Propane tanks and chainsaws at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    Sure, why not??

    11. Tents galore:

    Camping tents at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    In the fall and winter, these will swap out for more seasonal outdoor gear — like trekking poles, snow shoes, makeshift carports, and sleds.

    12. And a ton of mosquito repellent:

    Mosquito repellent at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    To fend off, as Mariah says, the Alaskan state bird. 🦟

    13. A cracker called "Sailor Boy Pilot Bread":

    Sailor Boy Pilot Bread cracker at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    "This is stale, round cracker," Mariah says. "It's an Alaskan staple and the only state that the company ships to."

    14. Fan-favorite ginger beer:

    Cases of ginger beer at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    15. And doomsday food with a shelf life of up to 25 years:

    Shelf-stable "emergency food supply" at Costco Alaska
    Mariah Osborne Krueger

    Or: 2020 in a container!

    What's the most interesting or super regional thing your local Costco sells? Share in the comments below!