Alpine Sea Company

The Port of Hood River is excited to welcome Alpine Sea Company to the Big 7 family! Founded by Robert and Kristin Morano, Alpine Sea Company became a member of the downtown retail scene with a storefront that showcases their sustainably crafted and thoughtfully designed bags and lifestyle accessories. The story of Alpine Sea Company is one of grit and passion, where risk paved the way for innovation. Robert and Kristin have been part of the Hood River community since 2012, when jobs with DaKine brought them to the Gorge. In 2020, DaKine announced they would be closing their Hood River offices, leaving many out of work and Robert and Kristin joining the ranks of those looking for new paths forward in the middle of a global pandemic. With 25+ years of experience, Robert and Kristin began to dream about creating a line of bags and accessories that were made with intention and sustainably, and Alpine Sea Company was born. Starting a small business is risky and doing so while opening a retail store in during a pandemic felt downright crazy. But their dream was clear, and they worked to create a beautiful space that showcased their line of bags and accessories. With their retail space came a small downtown studio as well, where they designed, cut and sewed their bags. Bags are the staple of their brand, and each one is handmade by the four-person team at Alpine Sea Company. Their model of small batch production allows their team to craft the products as they are ordered, creating a manufacturing system with minimal waste. Low inventory is a sign of thoughtful consumption, and as orders are made, so are bags.

With the world returning to a new normal, the number of sales (and tourists) rose, with 45% of their sales in store and 55% online. In the spring of 2025 with online sales continuing to rise, they realized they needed more space to create. Knowing the Port of Hood River had commercial space available for small businesses, Alpine Sea Company toured the Big 7 building, finding the perfect studio space in the Port’s historic building. The new space doubles their studio footprint, offering space to add two more employees to their team. There is room for raw materials, sewing machines, office space and a creative studio for marketing. Kristin and Robert were impressed with the Port’s willingness to modify the space to fit their production and flow needs. The Port facilities team removed walls to open the space, repainted walls and gave permission for the removal of carpet. Their 5-year lease in the Big 7 building offers phenomenal growth potential for Alpine Sea Company. By the new year, Alpine Sea Company will be settled into their new space, the hum of sewing machines the soundtrack of the third floor. The Port of Hood River is happy to match a commercial space with yet another amazing Hood River business. Alpine Sea Company is joining a family of creative entrepreneurs at the Big 7, and the Port is honored to be part of their dream. For more information on their story, or to see their beautiful creations, head to their website at www.alpineseaco.com.

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