Profiles of Barrow business people.

• Author: Hill, Robin Mackey
• Position: Barrow, Alaska

Vito Stojic Owner, Arctic Pizza

Vito Stojic attributes the success of his business to three main ingredients: authentic Mexican food using shredded beef rather than ground, a delivery service, and daily specials ranging from shrimp scampi to baked halibut. Toss in a personal touch, hard work and a commitment to quality, and it's little surprise that Stojic's Arctic Pizza is a popular Barrow restaurant.

"The food's exquisite," says Bob Harcharek, a longtime resident and customer. "I've never had a bad meal there."

Stojic moved from Yugoslavia to the United States with his parents 23 years ago. In 1985, he landed in Barrow and took a job with the city. Three years later, he and his wife Heidi combined their savings with money borrowed from friends and family, bought a dilapidated restaurant and began turning it into the business they envisioned.

Raised in a home where food played an important cultural role, Stojic studied cookbooks, experimented with ingredients and came up with a menu offering Mexican food, sandwiches, steaks, spaghetti and, of course, pizzas. A large, 16-inch combo with 26 ounces of dough and heaped with ingredients sells for $23. Soon, when Stojic's folks move to Barrow from Wisconsin to help with the restaurant and grandchildren, he hopes to add Yugoslavian dishes.

Stojic, who had no previous restaurant experience, plans to add a second story to his small, 48-seat restaurant this year. When he does, he says, his place will be the only restaurant in town with an upper view of the Arctic Ocean. Also planned are an expanded menu and possibly a new name. With a larger facility, Stojic also hopes to cater to the tourist trade.

"Everyone is important to us," says Stojic of his customers. "I really don't want to get professional, to get cold." Stojic also believes in giving back to the community that supports his restaurant seven days a week. He says that every day he gives at least one customer a free meal. Adds Stojic, "I think we are accepted up here."

Beri Morris Manager, Alaska Commercial Store

Beri Morris, 38, is most concerned with taking care of the basics. And as manager of the Alaska Commercial Co.'s Barrow store, Morris has plenty to keep him busy.

"My main goal is to try to keep the shelves stocked with the things our customers want. It doesn't sound that lofty," says Morris, "but just doing the basics keeps us busy."

A manager at a Fort Yukon Alaska Commercial store before moving to Barrow three years ago, Morris...