According to the official Icy Strait website, the shops close at 5 p.m. Many of the visiting cruise ships arrive later in the day than in other ports; some, like the Eurodam, arrive don't arrive until 6 p.m. Many departure times tend to be between 8-10 p.m. My point is that by closing at 5 p.m., ISP is missing out on serving many of its arriving cruise passengers, especially those who are doing an excursion while in ISP.
https://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ISP-Icy-Strait-Point-2023-1.pdf
I have no idea how ISP is doing financially or otherwise. Like I said in original post, I really like this port. The whale watching is the best in Alaska (IMO), it has a beautiful natural setting, it's not overrun by tacky shops like other ports. I just wish it didn't close down so early.