Sisters serve up sumptuous soups and sandwiches

Name of business: Fly Boys Café

Name of owner: Anna Sippey/Natalie Forbis

Address of business: 7200 E. Valley Circle

Telephone number: 745-6785

Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

WASILLA — Anna Sippey and Natalie Forbis can’t get food out of their systems — and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

The sisters have a passion for down-home-style cooking that developed when they were children and has grown throughout their adulthood. Now all grown up, the pair decided to put that passion to work as owners of Fly Boys Café. We sat down with the sisters recently for a question and answer interview:

Frontiersman: What products or service do you provide?

Natalie Forbis and Anna Sippey: We offer homemade food. We serve food like sandwiches, soup and enchiladas. We make everything ourselves, except for the bread.

Frontiersman: What sets your business apart from other similar businesses?

Natalie and Anna: We are in a good location. There are no other restaurants in this area and we have fresh food and a good atmosphere. You walk in the door and it always smells so good.

Frontiersman: How did you decide what to offer on your menu?

Natalie and Anna: We just sit down and plan a menu. It’s pretty much whatever we feel like making.

Frontiersman: What has been your most popular product or service?

Natalie and Anna: Our customers really like our gyros. They say it’s the best in the Valley.

Frontiersman: How do your prices compare to other cafés?

Natalie and Anna: We try to keep it so it’s not too expensive. I think we are pretty reasonable. We have daily specials that cost $8, and that includes soup and a side.

Frontiersman: Why did you decide to open this type of business?

Natalie and Anna: It’s something we always talked about doing. We love to cook.

Frontiersman: Where are you from and why did you decide to open your business in the Valley?

Natalie and Anna: We live in Palmer, but we moved to Alaska in 1983 from Oregon. We live here and we want to support the Valley. We also try to buy local to support the local shops, so you know you are helping a neighbor.

Frontiersman: What do you like most about doing business in the Valley?

Natalie and Anna: I like the people. It’s a very tight-knit community. People out here are friendly.

Frontiersman: What advice would you give to someone preparing to open a business in the Valley?

Natalie and Anna: Do your research, and be sure you know that you might not make money right away.

Frontiersman: Besides making money, what is your goal?

Natalie and Anna: (The) goal is to have a place where people can come and relax and have a good meal. We’re not after riches.