New Asian market opens in Johnson County. Here’s what’s different about this one

Aung San Oo, a Burmese immigrant, opened the doors to his South Asian market a couple weeks ago.

His youngest “helper” toddles between the aisles, clutching a blanket. That’s his 2-year-old, one of three motivators to open his shop.

His other two — 5 and 8 — are at school. San Oo hopes his entrepreneurial ventures will pave the way for their success, whatever they go on to become.

“When they grow up, they should have a more consistent income,” San Oo said. “Every business starts out small, and then it grows.”

KC Asian Mart is replacing the old Sweet Supply Shoppe candy store at 11136 Antioch Road in Overland Park. It offers produce, frozen meals, dry goods and household products from Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Laos and India.

Slightly different from other Asian markets in the area, which carry more East Asian products: Korean, Chinese and Japanese offerings.

“Sometimes it’s kinda hard to find more South Asian foods, so that’s why I opened here,” San Oo said.

His wife, Eiei Aung, also helps in the store. She walks around, pointing to different products (“This one has tofu! This is spicy.”).

Different packages of noodle dishes, complete with seasonings and sauces, are sold nearly ready to eat — just add boiling water. A refrigerated section offers boba, stuffed pastries and cooked duck eggs.

Products like sencha, chile sauce and palm sugar line the shelves.

The store attracts fellow South Asians, as well as curious Americans and people from all over the world.

“We have a lot of diversity that come,” San Oo said.

Before his store opened, San Oo was a manager at Hissho Sushi, which sells its products in several grocery stores in Kansas City and the Midwest.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.