Downtown Anchorage's Sack's Cafe sold to owners of Snow City, Spenard Roadhouse

Sack's Café is under new management, but it comes with a familiar face.

Laile Fairbairn, managing partner for Locally Grown Properties, said the LLC purchased and took over management of the downtown Anchorage restaurant in October. The same company oversees a group of popular Anchorage restaurants, including Snow City Café, South Restaurant and Coffeehouse and Spenard Roadhouse.

Fairbairn said Jo Ann Asher, the former general manager and owner who founded the restaurant 32 years ago, retired last year.

The two had already been working together. Asher holds an ownership stake in Spenard Roadhouse. Fairbairn said after opening the Roadhouse it seemed like a natural fit to market the three restaurants together, though they remained separate business entities.

Fairbairn said to expect a "few tweaks" to the establishment, including updates to the dining room. They've also started the process of getting a full liquor dispensary license, since the current license only allows Sack's to serve beer and wine.

Fairbairn said while the menu is always "evolving and changing," the sale doesn't mean major changes for the food. Chef Luke Doherty is staying on staff.

"We're just excited to get Sack's into our group," Fairbairn said, "and continue on the tradition [Asher] created."

Suzanna Caldwell

Suzanna Caldwell is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in 2017.

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