Dressing Alaska’s Artists and Strengthening the Arts Community
Allegra & Co. is Alaska’s newest and only dedicated dancewear retail store, providing essential gear and professional fittings for dancers, figure skaters, and gymnasts across the state. Founded by an integral member of Alaska’s dance community and former professional dancer, Amy Black, Allegra & Co. brings both passion and purpose to the local arts community by offering high-quality apparel, exclusive retail brands, and a deeply personal shopping experience.
Before Allegra & Co. opened its doors, dancers and athletes in Alaska faced a major gap: no local access to proper dancewear. For dancers in particular, trying on shoes and gear is essential, not only for performance but also for injury prevention. Amy, who relied on in-person fittings during her own dance career in the Lower-48, recognized that this missing piece in Alaska was more than an inconvenience. It was a barrier to participation and success in the performing arts.
Ready to change the landscape of dance in Alaska, she connected with the Alaska Small Business Development Center and worked closely with Business Advisor Ginny Grabowski. Together, they navigated the early stages of launching a retail store, from refining the business model to planning operations and logistics. With Ginny’s support, Allegra & Co. went from idea to opening in just a few months.
Allegra & Co. now offers exclusive, high-quality apparel for dance, figure skating, and gymnastics, along with professional shoe fittings and an inviting in-store experience.
Beyond its products, Allegra & Co. has launched an innovative Ambassador Program—the first of its kind in Alaska. Designed to empower young dancers, the Ambassadors program creates hands-on, resume-building experiences for participants. They develop modeling and brand-representation skills, participate in community outreach, and play an active role in fostering a supportive and inclusive arts community.
In less than a year, Allegra has already made a significant impact. Local dancers, gymnasts, and figure skaters now have access to gear and fittings they previously had to travel out of state for. The monthly Ballerina Story Time event has become a popular event for families, introducing children to the arts through stories, crafts, and live ballerina visits.
Allegra & Co. is not only filling a need—it’s creating a hub for Alaska’s performing arts community. With plans to expand product lines and open up the next round of Ambassador applications in January, the business is poised for continued growth and deeper community engagement.
Reflecting on how the SBDC helped her launch her business, Amy shared, “Ginny helped guide me through the initial business development process. I’m so grateful she could help me! It gave me the confidence I needed to steamroll and open my business in just a few months!”
Allegra & Co. is proof that with a strong vision and the right support, even a first-year business can create lasting change. By combining retail, mentorship, and community outreach, Allegra & Co. is redefining what it means to support the arts in Alaska, one fitting, one story time, and one young performer at a time.
Allegra & Co. is located at 1441 W Northern Lights Blvd., in Anchorage. Learn more about their Ambassador Program, upcoming events and shop apparel at allegraak.com, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
