Betti's Opens Doors on Spenard Road

Emily Klopfer welcomed a crowd of patrons on October 23, 2026, as Betti's held its first official day of business at 3956 Spenard Road. The store occupies the building locals knew as The Writer's Block Bookstore and Cafe. Klopfer bought the building almost exactly a year before the opening. She did not speak at the ribbon cutting. Her dog, Betti, an Alaskan Klee Kai who serves as the store's "Pawfice Manager," was present but ceded the floor to Klopper.

Klopfer addressed the crowd as co-owner. "This is an absolute dream come true, and I am so touched and honored that you are all here to celebrate with me, my family, my staff, who is here, especially my general manager [Kylie Welch], who's been with me from the crazy beginning," she said. The event included remarks from Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Sheron Patrick, live music, a raffle, and free books for children. fuse and traverse, an Anchorage environmental services firm, sponsored the book giveaway.

The Writer's Block closed after owner Vered Mares departed in 2025. The building previously housed an adult bookstore before that, which was reworked into The Writer's Block. Klopfer studied the layout before reopening the space. The former shop placed tables near a small stage where musicians and writers performed. Klopfer moved the performance area to a corner near the children's picture book section. She put bookshelves where the stage stood, with shelves for young adult books, Alaskan authors, horror, mystery, and fantasy. Movable shelves on casters let staff reconfigure the floor for larger events. "I wanted people to be able to walk in and shop, if they wanted to shop, and not feel pressured because there's suddenly an event," Klopfer said.

A long counter that served coffee, drinks, and baked goods was removed, adding floor space. A pass-through window will eventually serve coffee and cafe items. Food service is on hold until Klopfer refurnishes the kitchen with new equipment. The store's food permit is approved, and Klopfer is pursuing an alcohol license for beer and wine. The menu will not match what The Writer's Block offered.

The picture book section is abundant, with shelves for middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. Daytime hours will carry kid-friendly programming, including story hours and puppet shows. Evening events will focus on adults, with open mic readings, music performances, shows, and workshops. ComedySportz Anchorage held an improv event this past June. A reservable room is available for book clubs and community groups. Klopfer plans to support local artists with performances and readings. She has acted at Cyrano's Theatre Company and Anchorage Community Theater and serves on the Anchorage Community Theater board.

Klopfer grew up in Alaska and worked in the children's department at Bloomsbury Publishing in New York, then at a New York children's bookstore. She remembers trips to the old Borders bookstore on Dimond Boulevard. "I lived through the time period when kids' books were becoming more and more popular. For me, bookstores were always comfort spaces and always exciting," Klopfer said. The store is named for her dog and for her grandmother. Quilted art by her mother and stained glass by her aunt hang inside. Yoga classes, radio plays, and readings were held before the store opened. "The community has given me so much. My family's entrenched in it," Klopfer said. "To be able to live up to my grandmother's legacy in any way, shape, or form, because I know she did a lot for the community, too, I'm just excited to have the space to do the things I've always dreamed about doing for the community." Betti's will hold story hours and puppet shows during the day, with open mic readings and music in the evenings.

The kitchen refurnishing and the alcohol license application are pending.

Klopfer's mother made the quilted art, and her aunt made the stained glass.