Rash of break-ins pummel bistro

WASILLA — Kira Thompson is probably among the frontrunners competing for the winner of the most difficult business re-launch in Valley history.

In August, having already taken the place over from her partners, she re-branded what was until then a Hawaiian restaurant into the Burgundy Horse Bistro with a gourmet menu.

Not soon after, the break-ins started. There have been four in the last two and a half months.

“The first two times they took things,” she said.

The first break-in cost her 22 sodas.

“That’s it. They walked right past all the alcohol,” Thompson said.

Whoever broke in also used the restroom and didn’t flush.

As it turns out, the booze wasn’t quite safe. After she’d put everything back together following the first break-in, someone busted back in, this time walking off with $200 worth of beer and wine.

She said that second break-in was right before her appointment to get a security system installed. But even that security system hasn’t helped — there have been two more break-ins since. She hasn’t lost any inventory, but the perpetrators have managed to stay out of the way of her video cameras.

She said she’s leasing the place she’s in — the backside of the Frontier Mall, across from Valley Performing Arts — but the glass costs her a lot of money. The windows take specially cut glass, and there’s been more to replace each time.

“It’s in my lease that I am responsible for any damages,” she said.

She has insurance, but it’s got a pretty hefty deductible. The replacement costs are holding the business back, she said.

“I’m putting all of my money into the windows instead of upgrading this place,” she said.

In between window repairs she has to board the place up, and Thompson said she’s pretty sure that’s costing her money as well.

“Décor is a huge influence on where people are going to choose to eat,” she said.

This latest time she and her employees wrapped up the boards like Christmas presents so they don’t look quite as terrible.

Through it all, she’s started to feel kind of under siege.

“I’m being targeted and I don’t know how to stop it,” she said. “I can’t afford to keep replacing the windows.”

All four break-ins have been between midnight, Friday and 2 a.m., Saturday.

“Right as I get to sleep on Friday I get woken up,” she said.

The bistro isn’t her only business. She also has a daycare. When she’s not dealing with break-ins, the bistro tends to take up less of her time.

But now, she said, she has had to increase the hours the daycare employees work so she can take care of things at Burgundy Horse.

Thompson has worked with the police and talked to the Wasilla City Council. Both groups have been sympathetic and helpful, Thompson said.

“I just want it to stop,” she said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.