‘A home away from home’: Pan-Asian ‘Asia Mall’ to open in Minnesota

A mall selling all things Asian is gearing up for a grand opening in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, later this month.

After years of planning and development, the aptly named Asia Mall held its soft launch on Thursday, operating in limited capacity until Nov. 19 before its official opening on Nov. 20

The mall, formerly the site of an outdoor retailer, is in an area that historically lacked Asian products. It will be home to multiple Asian restaurants, Asian food stands and a large Asian grocery store.

“It’s the first of its kind, so nothing but possibilities,” Filipino American Osmund Dris, one of the mall’s leasing agents, told KARE 11. “It's a home away from home, I would say.”

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Logistical issues reportedly stalled the mall’s summer debut. Coolers and freezers ordered a year in advance were delayed, while licenses and construction permits took months to complete.

And of course, there was COVID-19.

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“We’re going through a very difficult time with COVID and many people in government also aren’t working,” Marshall Nguyen, the lead broker and advisor to development, told Sahan Journal earlier this month. “Things are delayed for everyone, but it’s okay. What I tell people is that good things come to those who wait.”

Amor Zhao, one of the mall’s owners, said the new spot allows Asian Americans to share their culture with the rest of the world. Its tenants are also hiring.

“We welcome anybody. Anybody in the neighborhood is welcome,” Zhao told FOX 9.

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Asia Mall, located at 12160 Technology Drive, is currently open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Updates are posted on its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Featured Image via Asia Mall