Unveiling 3300 Spenard Road’s Colorful Saga: Drugs, Spam, and Vacuums

The commercial building at 3300 Spenard Road has reflected Anchorage’s changing street life for more than seven decades. Its occupants have ranged from neighborhood hardware to iconic nightclubs. The site’s layered past includes restaurants, music venues, arcades, and civic fallout.

Recent years: pop-ups, churches and short-lived restaurants

In the late 2010s the property hosted a run of brief tenants. The space saw artist gatherings, car washes and trunk-or-treat events.

Several churches used the site for services. Set Free Church, Response Church and Clear Water Church all occupied the building at different times.

Restaurants and pop-ups

Charlou opened in May 2019. The coastal-inspired restaurant emphasized Alaska seafood. It closed on May 30, 2020.

Before Charlou, La Potato operated as a pop-up. La Potato launched its grand opening weekend on Nov. 2–3, 2018 and shut in April 2019.

Route 33 briefly ran a Southern-food menu. It opened in June 2017 and closed by November 2017.

TapRoot and the music scene

TapRoot began as the Tap Root Café on Huffman Road in 2006. That location closed May 30, 2010.

The business reopened at 3300 Spenard Road on June 7, 2010. TapRoot emphasized local music and community support.

Rebecca Mohlman helped found the venue. Martin Severin purchased it in 2015. The TapRoot closed permanently in 2017.

Fly By Night, Mr. Whitekeys and Spenard’s nightlife

Fly By Night is the building’s most famous tenant. Mr. Whitekeys opened the club originally at 4811 Spenard Road in 1980.

The operation moved to 3300 Spenard Road in 1984. The earlier lakeside structure was demolished for a hotel development.

Whitekeys’ shows mixed vaudeville, satire, jazz, and risqué humor. Performances often featured references to Spam and local life.

The Fly By Night Club closed for good on Sept. 9, 2006. Its style shaped the building’s reputation for decades.

Arcades, drug raids and enforcement

In 1980–1981 the location housed Charlie Brown’s arcade. That arcade became notorious for in-and-around drug dealing.

Times reporters repeatedly bought drugs there in spring 1981. The ensuing undercover probe led to arrests in November 1981.

Authorities arrested nine people in the initial sweep. The youngest arrestee was 11 years old. Investigators also seized weapons and cash.

Hangar 18 later opened as an arcade by December 1981. It closed after losing its lease around late 1983 or early 1984.

Earlier commerce: restaurants, furniture, vacuums and plumbing

The property hosted The Bridge restaurant around 1980. Earlier occupants included retail and service businesses.

From 1976 to 1979 the Alaska Square Dance Shop used the space. Ward’s Used Furniture occupied the site from 1972 to 1975.

Between October 1969 and 1971 the Kirby Company of Alaska operated there as an authorized Kirby vacuum dealer. Kirby advertised a promotional vacuum for $199.

Neighborhood staples: Hank’s Hardware and Spenard Plumbing

Hank’s Hardware opened in the late 1940s. It later moved into premises next to Spenard Plumbing.

Robert “Bob” Barnett founded Spenard Plumbing in 1948. He began the business on the family homestead under a tent.

The concrete-block building on the site opened around 1950. Barnett later relocated to Homer and closed the shop in the mid-1960s.

Physical traces and local memory

Renovations unearthed odd relics. During a TapRoot kitchen remodel, workers found a filled-in well beneath the floor tile.

The municipal property record still lists the land as the Barnett Subdivision. The well may trace back to the Barnett homestead era.

A condensed timeline

Why this history matters

The building at 3300 Spenard Road encapsulates Spenard’s shifts. Its story includes community, nightlife, illicit activity and neighborhood retail.

From Kirby vacuums to Spam-fueled stage acts, the property reflects local culture. Filmogaz.com documents this evolving urban memory.