Family run retail store attempts to get off the ground amid challenging times of coronavirus

WASILLA — Anna Brummer and her family entered all new territory two months ago, opening the doors to Falkor, a retail store that sells name brand clothing and accessories at 50 percent off.

Falkore, named after the white, flying dragon from “The Neverending Story” opened in the middle of an unprecedented period of time. Lasting effects of state mandates that limited capacity and social distancing recommendations has caused some businesses to shut their doors permanently while many others work to keep their doors open.

“It’s been so slow getting going. It’s been horrible,” Brummer said.

Brummer said they had a soft opening toward the end of May and they’re hoping to hold an official grand opening ceremony in the future. She said the focus right now is to get more people into the store.

“I’m scared to death especially with these times right now,” Brummer said.

This is Brummer’s first time running a business. She said that she lost her previous job due to COVID-19.

“Rather than just stay at home… I decided to just go for it, Brummer said.

The name Falkor comes from Brummer’s partner, Dane Melvin who suggested the idea of her running the store. Melvin runs a local excavation company called Steel Dragons. Brummer said that Melvin likes to name all his tractors after dragons from the “How to Train Your Dragon” series.

Brummer said Mevlin came up with the idea of the store, wanting to offer more variety than what’s currently available in the area.

“He really thought they could use something like that out in the Valley,” Brummer said.

Everything they sell from Falkor is overstock and out of season, so their inventory varies throughout the year. They pull from multiple stores and offer a variety of brands, all for 50 percent off.

Brummer noted that all the clothing is brand new. They currently offer men’s, women’s, children’s and teen’s clothing and accessories. She said they just received women’s shoes and they will have more options later on.

Brummer said that she loves working with her children at the store.

“We have three kids so it’s really fun,” Brummer said with a laugh. “They love it. They either want to get paid or get clothes.”

Despite the slow start, overall feedback from the community has been positive, according to Brummer. She said that it’s been nice acclimating into Wasilla’s business community.

“Everyone’s been super nice,” Brummer said. “Everybody says they’re gonna let their friends know about us.”

Brummer said she’s lived in the Valley with Melvin for the last five years and this is where they want to raise their kids. She said that launching this business successfully is a huge aspiration that she hopes pays off with additional locations across the state.

“I would just really love to grow something for us and something pass onto the kids, something to make ourselves with,” Brummer said.

Brummer said they’ve been offering promotions and gift card giveaways over Facebook and will announce any other updates down the road.

Falkor is located within the Wasilla Annex Mall near Alaska Industrial Hardware Inc. The address is 715 West Parks Highway.

Brummer said they’re still working on their website and when it’s ready, they will start offering free shipping across the state. When it’s ready, people can visit falkorak.com.

“We’re wanting to make it easier for Alaskans,” Brummer said.

Falkor’s store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays.

For more information, email operations@steeldragonak.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com