Hmong Town Supermarket Featured by US Small Business Administration

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MILWAUKEE — On Tuesday, representatives of the US Small Business Administration (SBA) gather at Hmong Foods, a grocery store on Milwaukee’s northwest side, for a roundtable discussion on supporting to the companies AANHPI (Asian America Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders). The group also visited the Asian Grocery store.

“Here in Wisconsin, we have a large population of the Hmong community here. Reaching them, as well as the other AANHPI communities, will help us support the growth and need for their business so they can build wealth and reinvest in the community,” said SBA Administrator for the Great Lakes region, Geri Aglipay.

Maysee Her, executive director of the Wisconsin Hmong Chamber of Commerce, knows that support goes beyond business. She helps her community prosper and preserve its culture.

“There’s something to be said about walking into a space and the smells and the labels on the food jar containers that make you feel like you belong,” said Her, who is a frequent shopper in Hmong Town.

Some of her favorite items to pick up at the store include spicy bamboo shoots and different types of coconut juice. Products that she said “you just can’t find anywhere else”.

Even the pots and pans for sale have meaning to her.

“The size of these pans, industrial sizes!” she exclaimed with a laugh. “I can understand why they have them. Because people in our community have big gatherings. (I) always said it’s important to have one of these huge pots and pans. Where do I get them? In a place like this.”

The store is currently owned by Moses Thao, although he was a bit camera shy and not up for an interview. But Her said it’s because of him that people like her feel shopping in Hmong Town is a bit like coming home.

“As a Hmong myself, coming to a place where I know the business owners are very familiar with the food I had as a child and still eat every day is comforting. It means a lot, it gives me a feeling of home.” She said.

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