Jul 13, 2011

Creating Asian market is a mother-daughter effortBy Carol GiffordCharlotteObserver.com

Grand Asia Market is a window to Asia and a cultural immersion for shoppers.

Step inside at 4400 Potters Road in Stallings and you realize this isn’t your typical grocery store. Red and gold lanterns and parasols stream from the ceiling. A gift shop offers Asian specialties, including tea sets, dishes, cookware and cosmetics, toiletries, soaps and candy. Large tanks with live fish, lobsters and crabs mesmerize children.

Fresh noodles and a variety of fresh tofu take up an entire case. Different varieties of ramen noodles take up one side of a row. The store even offers aged ostrich eggs.

The 27,000-square-foot market, which opened in December, includes a quick-serve Asian restaurant, bakery and a seafood selection, including live fish and other choices, many imported from Asia or Europe.

“I come here every week because of the food,” said Annie Yu, a realtor from Harrisburg. “I especially like the fast food – you can’t find that around here – and I love the bakery items. I can eat lunch here and shop at the same time.”

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