Great Alaskan Bowl Company - Fairbanks

When in Fairbanks, do not miss visiting The Great Alaskan Bowl Company! Watch craftsmen turn birch logs into heirloom bowls while browsing one of the most impressive Made in Alaska gourmet food and home goods collections anywhere.

Founded in 1991, this family-run business is one of the last few operational bowl mills in America. You will find unique wooden bowls made for all your mixing and serving needs, laser-engraved bowls for display, matching Family Tree Bowl sets, and original painted art bowls. Also made onsite are genuine birch drinking steins and tumblers as well as birch bark flower vases. Don’t miss out on personalizing anything wooden in the shop with their custom laser engraver.

In addition to the in-house made woodenware, you’ll be able to shop from an impressive collection of Made in Alaska products like soaps, candles, pet treats, books, toys, cutting boards and so much more! Representing over 250 Alaskan makers, you are sure to find that perfect gift or souvenir for any budget. Alaskan “must-haves” like birch syrup, ulu knives, smoked salmon and reindeer sausage are always stocked.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What kind of wood is used to make the bowls?

  Every bowl is made from 100% Alaskan birch. It's a practical choice: light, durable, and abundant here. The company prefers trees at the end of their natural 70- to 80-year lifespan, which yields the larger diameter wood needed for bigger bowl sets.

• Are the bowls food-safe?

  Yes. These are functional kitchen bowls, not decorative pieces. Use them for mixing bread dough, tossing salads, serving popcorn, or holding whole fruits and vegetables on the counter. Care instructions come with every purchase, and with proper maintenance these bowls can genuinely last for generations.

• Can you tour the factory?

  The factory store is set up with large viewing windows looking directly into the cutting room, main sanding room, and laser engraving station, where staff often personalize wooden products on the spot. A video covering the full production process runs continuously, and staff are on hand to answer questions. It's not a guided walk-through tour, but you get a clear look at how the bowls are actually made.

• What else does the store carry?

  Beyond being one of the last working wooden bowl mills in the country, the store stocks work from over 300 Alaskan makers. That includes shelf-stable foods like salmon, jams, syrups, and tea, as well as home goods: candles, cutting boards, soaps, and toys. There's also a substantial selection of books by Alaskan authors spanning all age groups.

• When is the store open?

  The Great Alaskan Bowl Company is open seven days a week, year-round, with two exceptions: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (and occasionally when weather intervenes). Weekday hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.