Celebrating 50 Years Serving Alaskans

50 Years of Innovation: The Skurla’s Journey

Today, we’re talking about something truly special. For 50 years, Skurla’s has been at the heart of Alaska’s business community. We started in 1976 with a simple mission: to give Alaskan business owners the tools they need to succeed. In those early days, "cutting edge" meant mechanical cash registers—heavy steel machines with hand-cranked levers and physical bells. It was honest, tactile technology for a rugged frontier. But as the world changed, we didn't just keep up; we led the way. We brought the first electronic systems to the Last Frontier, bridging the gap between traditional Alaskan grit and the digital revolution.

This milestone is about more than just surviving half a century—it’s about relentless evolution. Only about 35% of businesses make it to their 10th anniversary, and a mere fraction reach 50. We’ve outlasted recessions, earthquakes, politics, generational changes, and navigated the shift from paper tapes to digital reciepts and transactions. We've grown from a small local shop, into an industry experts and thought leaders. Our close ties into the RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association) keep us at the forefront of the best solutions available anywhere. Whether it’s a bustling restaurant in Anchorage or a village store in the bush, we’ve been there to ensure the "ding" of the register never stops. Here’s to 50 years of heritage, and to the technology we haven’t even dreamed of yet. We’re just getting started!