Making History: Meet Celeste Addison
Imagine moving to a place to save people with your own version of the truth, only to have that place and its people save you instead. That’s what happened to trailblazing entrepreneur Celeste Addison when she traveled from Kentucky to Valdez, AK with her former husband as a missionary in 2019. She’d been raised as the third generation of her family to follow the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As customary for people leaving the Jehovah’s Witness faith, Addison has been estranged from family. Meeting her four years later, it’s difficult for one to imagine that journey. The congeniality that made her good at being a Witness, is as bright as ever. She speaks warmly about the friends she’s made here, being a founding member of the Valdez Arts Co-op, the evolution of her shop, and her dreams of opening a bowling alley.
“I have made the best friends in the whole world in this town. Almost everyone I meet is amazing. Even outside of my immediate friend group, people have shown up for me in unimaginable ways. Jan Whalen decided she would be my grandma since neither of mine talk to me anymore. People just took it upon themselves to care for me. That’s what this place is. People here just care about other people and that’s what makes it so magical here.”
Like enterprising women of Valdez past, she’s making her own way. The Gift Shop, as far as our research tells us, holds the mantle of Valdez’s first Black owned business. A walk through The Gift Shop is like a serotonin and dopamine bath, a sensual reprieve from Valdez weather. One will find a colorful array of unique art (including some of her own), spiritual accoutrements, jewelry, apparel, home goods from local and Alaskan makers, consignments, and thoughtfully sourced toys and art supplies. Addison is as passionate about supporting American made and local business as she is about spreading that Valdez magic.
In addition to owning and operating The Gift Shop, Addison is one of Valdez’s favorite bartenders at The Fat Mermaid, and a resident rock star at The Stampmill’s Sunday night Karaoke. We asked her what trends she sees in her business or art, and how she sees changing technology impacting her business and the community of Valdez.
“I predict that more people will move away from technology. I’m shifting toward more traditional marketing tactics like email and flyers so I’m not so dependent on social media, since I know people in my demographic are moving away from social media and spending less time on their phones.”
She’s planning to hold more craft workshops to show people how to reuse and revamp things they have at home, and things they can find in the shop. She wants to share with other people dopamine decor, dopamine dressing, and how to find one’s personal style second hand because it’s more affordable, more sustainable, and she might argue…more fun!
The Gift Shop is located at 131 Fairbanks Dr. in Valdez, AK.
By Amber Dennis
