‘It’s time to retire’: Beloved Asian grocery store in Salt Lake City closes after 23 years

A beloved Asian grocery store in Salt Lake City is closing its doors after 23 years of service.

Southeast Market, located at 422 E. 900 South, has been a staple in the Liberty Wells neighborhood since 1997, offering goods from a variety of Asian cuisines and cultures.

Amid an ongoing pandemic, the business owners indicated in an Instagram post on Monday that it had been “a difficult two years.”

“We have made the decision to CLOSE Southeast Market after 23 years of business in this wonderful community. It’s been a difficult two years and decided it’s time to retire,” the store owners said. “We want to thank everyone who has shown us continued support and love throughout our 23 years of business.”

The store was opened by a Chinese family from Vietnam, according to KSL.com, and initially offered only Chinese and Vietnamese goods before eventually expanding to provide Burmese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese and Thai products.

Prior to Monday’s announcement, questions about the store’s fate had already made rounds after the City Council approved a zoning change that would allow for the development of a shared residential and commercial “node,” reported the Building Salt Lake. No planned changes to the building, however, have been finalized yet.

In preparation for its close, Southeast Market said it will hold a clearance sale from March 12-13, during which all items will be marked 40% off.

Patrons have showered the store with messages of gratitude, love and support following the store’s announcement on Instagram.

“You will be greatly missed. Thank you for all you did for this community,” one Instagram user wrote.

Another commented, “This place was more than a store to me. It was a place I could stop by to see my friends and talk about food. Enjoy retirement and the next chapter in life! I [will] miss y’all.”

“We’ve loved supporting your family and your wonderful business. When we moved to Utah from Nepal your store gave us a little ‘taste’ of home. Thank you for taking care of us for so many years,” one user wrote.

Another noted, “Thank you for being my go to spot for almost two decades and providing excellent vegetarian items for so long! I hope you get all the rest you desire with your loved ones, best wishes and please take care of yourselves.”

Southeast Market will open its doors beginning at 8 a.m. during the clearance period.

Featured Image via Southeast Market

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