Old-world flavor

Russian-owned shop adds spice to Wasilla

November 8, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - A new shop recently opened in Wasilla that offers European delicacies, gourmet candies, Eastern European sausages, dairy products and a host of canned and dry goods from places like Russia, Ukraine, Germany and Bulgaria.

European Delights International Grocery Store is owned and operated by Russian-born immigrant Yelena Plotnikova of Wasilla. She purchased the business from her brother-in-law, who originally ran the store out of his garage in a Russian-speaking community off Schrock Road.

While the city of Wasilla is still a ways from having its own ethnic villages, Plotnikova's shop is an example of how growing Russian populations in the Valley are reshaping the community.

When Plotnikova's relatives ran the store, it served almost exclusively the Russian-speaking community. Six months ago, Plotnikova purchased the business and moved the storefront to downtown Wasilla. Now with an expanded customer base, her clientele also includes a smattering of longtime Valley locals.

&#8220American people will try our sausage - they love it,” Plotnikova said, speaking in a distinct Russian accent. &#8220It is very different.”

Most customers, however, still come from immigrant families. On Friday, Plotnikova assisted a fellow Russian speaker in finding an English dictionary.

&#8220We have big immigration in America,” she said. &#8220When people come into my store, whether it be from Germany or Russia, they find things from their country and are so happy.”

The small store is chock-full of

European sweets, Russian teas, rice and other household items like dish soap, pots and teacups.

Near the entrance, a book rack contains Russian Bibles, children's stories, hymn books and Russian music CDs, all evidence of a growing ethnic plurality in the Valley.

The Russian and Ukrainian presence in the Valley began rising roughly 15 years ago, with people fleeing the former Soviet Union to escape religious persecution. Many of those immigrants landed in the United States, and thousands moved to Alaska.

With 400 Russian-speaking students enrolled in limited English programs, the Mat-Su School District has felt the effects of the burgeoning population as Russian- and Ukrainian-born students make a mark on area schools.

Tanaina Elementary, near the Schrock Road Russian community, serves nearly 90 Russian-speaking students.

Iditarod Elementary, Wasilla High and Wasilla Middle schools also have substantial Russian-speaking populations.

Many of these new families have now established themselves and integrated into the business and cultural life of the Valley.

Russian immigrant Olga Clark is the school district's official Russian translator and serves as a liaison to Russian and Ukrainian immigrants. Clark said these groups are now spreading out across the Valley and finding jobs as mechanics, home-builders, nurses and translators.

Plotnikova is the first to open a grocery store.

Just inside the doors of her shop, a bulletin board, tacked full of notices, advertises everything from Russian language classes to Russian-speaking real-estate agents and construction contractors.

In the next month, Plotnikova plans to expand her store to include a café where customers, both foreign and Mat-Su born, can stop in for hot European delights.

&#8220We have all different customers,” she said. &#8220People who emigrate from Europe and people from here who want to try something different.”

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266, or joel.davidson@ frontiersman.com.