Delta Junction bids farewell to Natasha, welcomes new seamstress

Natalia (Natasha) Akimenko announced nearly two years ago her intent on retiring from the tailor shop. She had been sewing and repairing clothing items for the Delta/Greely area since 2003. However, she assured the public she would not retire until she found a replacement.

At long last, the replacement has been found, and a new owner is now tending to the community’s alternation and sewing repair needs.

Oksana Sykalo moved to Delta Junction just over a month ago from Vancouver, Washington, and has set up shop in the Columbo Building where Natasha once worked.

“I met Nastasha about a half a year ago through a mutual friend,” explained Sykalo. “My family and myself were looking for a change in our life and that is when we decided to move to Delta Junction.”

But the move was not made in haste, Sykalo’s husband came first to Delta Junction to find work and prepare housing for the two of them and their 12-year-old son. 

“I like how calm and quiet it is here,” she commented. “I am originally from Ukraine, where we lived in a small town.”                                                                                                                          The Sykalos left Ukraine nine years ago and settled in Vancouver. But it was in Ukraine where Oksana honed her sewing skills.

“Yes, I was a seamstress in Ukraine where I actually went to school, studying how to sew and repair clothing," she said. “I have been sewing for as long as I can remember.”

“When up here, I spoke with Natasha about her wanting to sell the shop and agreed to take over her business,” she continued. “I have now been open for just over two weeks.”

Sykalo says she will continue the shop’s work of doing repairs.  

“I will be patching, repairing, hemming, and replacing zippers, and can work with most materials” she stated. ”And maybe in the future I will branch out and take on custom work.”

The shop will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from noon until 5 p.m. Oksana can be reached at 253-670-8260.

“Those are my days and hours, but I will open for emergency repairs,” Sykalo said. “I look forward to carrying on Natasha’s work of sewing and repairing for the local community.”

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