Breeze in: shop-and-go convenience stores a success.

• Author: Stomierowski, Peg
• Position: SMALL BUSINESS

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Hard-working, humble and hands-on are winning traits of Allan Ahlgren, owner and operator of several unique quick-service retail stores in Juneau and Douglas, and recently selected as Alaska's Small Businessperson of the Year.

Ahlgren is president of Breeze In, a chain of specialty groceries in Southeast Alaska--including, in Juneau the Lemon Creek Breeze In on Concrete Way and the Valley Breeze In on Trout Street and over the channel, the Douglas Breeze In on the Douglas Highway.

FRESH AND READY TO GO

The establishments, which each have a from-scratch bakery, deli and liquor selection, produce a variety of breads and pastries, offer catering for business meeting or parties and quality home-style fare for people on the go--an expanding business model that offers services to people who are holding down more than one job because of the economy.

Available are freshly made pastries, donuts, salads, sandwiches, burritos and more. The soup menu offers a mouthwatering selection, including such classics as Boston Clam Chowder along with others like Basil Chicken Chili, Butternut Squash Curry, Portabello Harvest Grain and Tomato Basil with Raviolini, and Pasta Fagiola with Sausage.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Together, Ahlgren says, the stores generate more than $12 million in sales a year, with an annual payroll of almost $2 million. The Valley store serves an estimated 2,000 customers a day; Lemon Creek, with drive-through cafe and specialty coffee service, 1,000; and Douglas about 600. Ahlgren figures his staff waits on about a tenth of the area's populace each day.

A SOLID VISION

"He seems very down to earth, working really long days," Sam Dickey, deputy district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Anchorage, observed after meeting the nominee. "And he had a lot of new ideas."

Each spring, a state winner is chosen on criteria that includes staying power, growth in employment and sales or unit volume, financial health, innovative approach, response to adversity and community giving.

"We thought there probably was no better representative of small business," said Leslie Dahl, senior vice president and chief lending officer for Alaska Pacific Bank in Juneau, who's worked with Ahlgren for more than five years and whose institution nominated him. While Ahlgren deals effectively with middle management, she said, he's around enough to know the details, down to what kind of candy bar is selling.

Not understanding the...