Fireweed

I think it's absolutely fascinating and I love how this material can connect us in a very real way to this ancient past.

Fireweeds also, there's a couple pieces over here that have fireweed fiber in them.

It's a different color.

It's the same part of the plant.

In any city shopping district, lots of empty storefronts are a visible sign of decline.

Historic Fireweed Lane in Midtown Anchorage is struggling with that problem, so what would it take to redevelop the short stretch of road? But when you look at the corner of Fireweed Lane and Eagle Street, it stands out.

It's bright, with the mural showcasing the magenta flowers wrapping around the building.

Everybody smiles when they walk by it.

Mark Robicoff owns the pet store A.K. Bark.

He loves Fireweed Lane and wants other business owners and shoppers to love it too.

But it was also a gift to the neighborhood.

And I know lots of businesses recognize that, and I hope that they start to see the advantage of putting some resources into something like that because it's going to come back to them as the whole neighborhood improves and becomes more of a destination.