Vietnamese Grocery

My appointments took me to the concentration of local medical care where I donate platelets, have my innards scoped, and saw a doctor.  The area also has some retail, originally anchored by the large regional mall, but greatly expanded after the medical facilities moved in, making this a daily destination for large numbers of people.  Some of these stores have short half-lives, some more enduring, but many unique.

Signage for a Vietnamese grocer caught my attention.  I tried to stop by a few months ago, finding it under construction.  Its location did not make it easy to get in and out, either.  But after my doctor's visit, noting cars in their parking lot, I thought it worth another attempt at a visit.

Apparently their Grand Opening was just a week ago.  On entry, they were planning to have a small Asian take-out, menu on the wall though not yet operational.  The grocery itself appeared spacious with wide aisles offering attractive displays.  Impressive produce, all more visually attractive than a Shop-Rite display.  Prices on common American purchases mostly a bit more, but they also had fruits and vegetables not readily found at the American mega-groceries.  And this produce comprised a larger fraction of floor space than at American markets, so they must eat closer to the way the medical people nearby advise us to eat.  Meat in the back in a big case, slabs of beef, pork, less poultry.  Then fish.  Ample fin and scales varieties splayed over ice.  The self-serve pre-packaged case seemed dominated by shrimp, which must be an ethnic staple.  

Spices abounded in its own aisle.  Vacuum packages of whose seeds, cumin, coriander, pepper, to be ground at home.  Tapioca pearls of various sizes in see-through plastic packages.  Alas, none had kosher certification.  As I exited, up front, where American stores put their lawn furniture and air conditioners or other bulky high-priced items that need staff assistance to lift, they put 25lb bags of rice in its numerous varieties.

While the store is apparently new, and it is certainly attractive, there were not a lot of shoppers.  I was not the only non-Asian, but for people who will obtain their weekly staples there, it may be a limited clientele.  High salaried people from the medical facilities may stop by after work to assemble what they need for a special birthday or anniversary dinner, and will do very well with what they find.  For me, a pleasant self-guided tour, impressed with what the owner's assembled.