02/19/2026
We are saddened to learn of the passing of our long-time Set Up Shop client and friend, Gene Grey. Gene was the owner and operator of Tatilani Restaurant (now Natia Cafe), which served a mouth-watering menu of Samoan and Japanese favorites, and quickly became an anchor business in the Spenard neighborhood and for the Samoan community in Anchorage.
Gene’s business journey began with running Asumaia, Anchorage’s lead shop for Polynesian fabrics and printed clothing, and with Gene’s delicious and popular Keke Saiga (Samoan cookies)! At the same time, Gene had been working in the restaurant industry for 4 years along with his sister, who was trained as a sushi chef. Gene dreamed of opening a sit-down restaurant with his family to sell Polynesian and Japanese hot food and baked goods. The pandemic closed some doors, but it also opened others, and Gene found an available restaurant space in Spenard and decided to begin to build his dream. After graduating from Set Up Shop in 2020, Gene took a leap and signed a lease, refinished the interior with help from friends and family, and worked to prepare his launch. Tatilani Restaurant opened its doors in July 2020, still featuring Gene’s signature Asumaia clothing shop inside. Tatilani opened with huge success, becoming a gathering place for birthday parties, church events, and so much more. Gene quickly grew his business to offer event catering across the city and a coffee bar inside. When his catering business began to outpace his restaurant, Gene did what every business owner must do at some point: reevaluate his business model. Gene decided to focus his business on catering to meet his demand and opened a catering-only location in East Anchorage.
It was ACLT's honor to present Gene with our Neighborhood Business of the Year Award in 2022, pictured in these photos. This award recognized Gene’s courage and drive to open a brick-and-mortar business in a target neighborhood during the pandemic, and to do so with flying colors.
As is always the case, Gene’s impact reached far beyond his business. Gene was a bright light across our city and a leader in Anchorage's Samoan community. He was a role model for his employees, who exemplified humility and hard work. His warmth and compassion were effusive. Gene was a frequent guest speaker in our Set Up Shop training classes, and he became a natural mentor to other Set Up Shop alumni who were just starting their business journeys. We miss him already, and are sending our heartfelt condolences to Gene’s family and staff members during this difficult time.
