Alaska Latin Pantry: A New Option for Your Palate
by georgina arias avila
“Why not open a store specializing in Peruvian products? Then, my vision expanded and encompassed food, drinks, and condiments from all over Latin America.”
Inca Kola, purple corn, panca chili, chili cream, and huancaina are just some of the products offered by Gloria Reddick’s Alaska Latin Pantry store in Anchorage.
The convenience of this venture for its customers is that when visiting www.aklatinpantry.com, you can buy online, pay in advance, and pick up your purchase or select their home delivery service. The office is located at 123 E. Fireweed Lane. Their phone number is 907-759-1310.
Gloria, of Peruvian origin, has been an event organizer for many years and promotes Peruvian culture in Anchorage. That experience was the inspiration for the creation of the store. “For the Virgin of Guadalupe celebration, I bring guitarists and singers from New Jersey who honor the Lord. They perform the Marinada dance. When we gave away some Peruvian foods, the attendees asked me to sell them the dressings, and I asked myself: Why not open a store specializing in Peruvian products? Then, my vision expanded and encompassed food, drinks, and condiments from all over Latin America,” said Gloria.
Gloria promotes events with the label Sasieta Productions, inherited from her older brother, Willy Sasieta (DJ Cato), who was the first to reside in Anchorage and worked in the entertainment world. She visited him one summer and was enchanted by Alaska’s tranquility and life of adventure. “I moved from New Jersey to the Last Frontier. I have lived in Anchorage for 38 years, a land of opportunity. I worked at Providence Hospital and then on airlines such as Delta and Alaska Airlines for many years. Today, I have my own business and many ideas for growing it. In addition, I have plans to create a Peruvian assembly to help my compatriots.”
Gloria is married and has four adult children. She shares her home with her mother and the children of her brother Willy, who passed away. “I am raising my brother’s two youngest children. They are half Iñupiat. I teach them my culture and value their Alaskan customs.” There is a lot of love in Gloria’s home. “I have been working in foster care for 10 years, and it is a blessing to be able to give them my time and see them grow with a positive outlook on life,” she concluded.
