For 50 years, Winter Sun has served the community with healing herbs and inspirational art.
By mid-morning on a weekday, owner Phyllis Hogan is already fully engaged, moving between jars of herbs, handcrafted jewelry and customer consultations. An herbalist and ethnobotanist, Hogan wears many hats, managing retail sales and mail orders while continuing research that takes her beyond the shop, including work with the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Business, she said, remains strong.
“We’re swamped,” Hogan said. “We are a good, healthy business downtown.”
The Founding Story
Hogan founded Winter Sun Trading Co. in 1976, envisioning it as both a trading post and a living laboratory.
“From the beginning, it was a place for hands-on learning and traditional plant knowledge,” she said. “Much like old trading posts, it became a welcoming space for elders to share wisdom passed down through generations.”
Top Achievements
Hogan cites longevity, relationships and integrity as her greatest achievements.
“I’m proud of sustaining the business for nearly five decades while staying true to its original values,” she said. “I’m also proud of the trusted relationships built with Indigenous elders and of contributing to ethnobotanical understanding through quality herbs and education.”
Core Values
Authenticity, respect and knowledge sharing guide Winter Sun’s operations.
“We honor traditional practices and authentic Southwest art while mentoring younger herbalists and artists to help these traditions continue responsibly,” Hogan said.
Shifts Impacting the Business
About 30 years ago, Winter Sun expanded its family roots when Hogan’s daughters began producing plant-based skincare products locally. Those lines, now recognized nationwide, elevated the shop’s profile while reinforcing its herbal foundation.
Greatest Challenges
Economic shifts and rising rents have tested the business over the years.
“Staying true to our mission, values and community has helped us adapt,” Hogan said.
Looking Ahead
Hogan avoids long-term projections, preferring a day-by-day approach centered on service, tradition and education.
The Reason for Long-Term Success
Trust, Hogan said, is the foundation.
“Being in the same place for so many years has allowed us to build lasting relationships,” she said. “People know they can rely on us.” FBN
Winter Sun Trading Company 107 N. San Francisco St. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-2884 www.wintersun.com
Courtesy Photo: Winter Sun Trading Post owner Phyllis Hogan poses with her staff for a 2025 Christmas photo in the store. From left, bottom row: Hogan, Metzli Marcus, Rachel Mallonowski and Amanda Stroud. Going up the stairs: Pedro Camacho, Ariel Peshalikai and Cyam Casteen.
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