Local family opens snack shop in Wasilla

WASILLA — There's a new family run small business in downtown Wasilla, the Smith Shack.

The Smith Shack is located within the Chevron gas station off the Parks Highway. It offers a variety of snacks and drinks and specializes in Slush Puppies, Boba Tea, and different soups of the day.

Elysa Smith and her husband Patrick opened up their first small business together June 7.

"It's like, the most amazing feeling," Smith said.

Smith said that she loves to cook and this new opportunity will allow them to avoid commuting to work and focus on pursuing higher education while raising their three children. She noted that they would like to start hiring local students and establish a local scholarship in the future.

"It has been very uplifting towards me, my family, and our lifestyle. It's been really awesome to actually get that time with my family," Smith said.

Smith said their clam chowder and Slush Puppies have become some of their most popular items.

"We've got a lot of comments," Smith said.

Smith said that her family is Inupiaq and they cherish their heritage. She said they're featuring various goods from local Alaska native community members and they hope to include more in the future. They proudly hang a sign above the front counter that says, "Alaska Native Locally Owned."

"It kind of feels empowering," Smith said. "I take great pride in where I come from."

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com