Established: 1982

Location: 2101 Abbott Road, Anchorage

Telephone: 907-274-1072

Major focus of services: The Flying Dutchman European Pastry Shop creates specialty cakes, flans, cookies, pastries and chocolates.

History of the company: Pastry shop founder Ben Koper trained as a pastry chef during an apprenticeship from 1948-1950 at a hotel in The Hague, Netherlands. Although he had a notion to travel to North America, the hotel chef urged Koper to stay at his post through the winter. That year Indonesia became independent rather than a Dutch colony. Once spring came the chef called a cruise line, finding Koper a job three days later. The chef admonished Koper before departing: "Whatever you do in life make sure it's the best. It could be for the king or queen or your mother or father. Never, ever compromise."

Koper worked two years aboard the New Amsterdam for the company now operating as Holland America Lines.

Koper came to Alaska in 1963, first working in Fairbanks before moving to Anchorage two weeks before the 1964 earthquake. He worked at grocery store bakeries, then logged two years as a baker and pastry chef on the North Slope. Back in Anchorage, Koper worked two years at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and then one year at another area bakery.

Koper had a desire to operate his own bakery. On July 2, 1982, he and wife Tina Koper opened The Flying Dutchman pastry shop in Midtown Anchorage. In 1986 they opened Cafe Amsterdam. Four years ago the Kopers sold the restaurant and moved the bakery to South Anchorage, closer to their home.

Daughter Frieda Koper joins her parents for early morning baking, and they employ two part-time employees.

Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are typically busy times for the shop.

Top accomplishment of the company: Ben and Tina Koper cited the enjoyment they gain from baking and selling their pastries.

"Unless you love what you're doing, don't even think about it," he said. Tina Koper noted the company's longevity, which is the result of consistently high-quality products.

Major players: Ben, Tina and Frieda Koper, owners, The Flying Dutchman European Pastry Shop.

Ben Koper's career as a pastry chef has spanned more than 50 years. He and Tina Koper have enjoyed operating their own business. Frieda Koper handled sales and other duties at the store until 1992 when she started baking, gleaning skills from her father, after an employee quit.

-- Nancy Pounds