Suisun's Asian Market Is Staying Alive

Those who have lived in Suisun beyond this last decade know that many businesses have either flourished or failed.  Older businesses have closed their doors while others have made Suisun City their new home.  

Mai Phommavongsa's Asian Market has survived the ups and downs of a rough economy and continues to provide Suisun and neighboring cities with fresh seafood, crisp produce and a variety of ethnic ingredients.

 Sixteen year business owner, Phommavongsa, owns and operates the Asian Market in Suisun's Marina Shopping Center and is grateful to still be thriving in such a difficult economy. Phommavongsa witnessed surrounding businesses close or relocate, yet she has found stability in the shopping center and has hopes for expansion in the future.

"I would love to expand and have a larger business," said Phommavongsa. "If I expand then I can hire more people who need jobs. The economy is really bad right now and so many people don't have jobs."

The Asian Market offers a variety of cultural items that grocery stores rarely have in stock. There are more than five different types of rice, different brands of coconut milk, chili sauces and peppers as well as ethnic vegetables like sitaw (the Filipino string bean), bok choy (a type of Chinese cabbage) and kimchi (a Korean side dish made with a variety of vegetables and chili peppers).

"We have something for everyone in here," Phommavongsa said. "Black, white, Asian any type of people can find something that relates to them. We're not only Thai market for just Thai people. We have something for every culture."

 Many of the regulars who shop at the market take advantage of the cheaper prices, which are usually a couple dollars less than grocery stores just depending on the product, said Janeth Roblez who travels from Fairfield to purchase her produce and seafood.

"The blue crab and oysters are always fresh and so tasty," said Roblez. "I don't mind coming from Fairfield because it's worth it, plus it's a lot cheaper here. It's hard to find some of the Asian vegetables, but Mai usually has them all and they're all so  fresh."

Phommavongsa said she believes that the combination of good products and great service is what keeps her business up and running.  She builds strong relationships with her customers and wishes that she could take more time out to converse with them and get to know them a little more and maybe even exchange recipes.

"My time goes fast in here and I'm always do something because there is always something to do," said Phommavongsa. "My customers don't know that I pay attention to all of them. Some buy one item every day and even though they don't know, I remember those things."

Vansha Phongsa owns the Green Papaya next door and shops at the market at least three times a day for ingredients for her restaurant, said Phongsa.

"I've been coming here for a long time almost seven  years, " said Phongsa. "I can get whatever I need and it's very convenient. I'm happy Mai is still here."

The Asian Market is one of the very few businesses left in the shopping center, but Phommavongsa is content with the businesses' success and will continue to provide her customers with great service and rare products.

"It's never same group of people that come in," said Phommavongsa. "For some people this is their main grocery store. I never count how many customers I get I just appreciate every single one that come in."

Phommavongsa's Asian Market is located at 811 Marina Center. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.