New Asian Market Shuttering by Next Week
Sales down by a third, says owner Mau Trang
New Asian Market, on the corner of North McDowell Boulevard and Redwood Highway, a treasure trove of spices, delicacies and hard-to-find Asian ingredients, is going out of business, another casualty of the recession.
For more than 14 years, Mau Trang’s store in northern Petaluma, has catered to the town’s small Asian community as well as ethnic chefs who loved poring over its selection of curries, rice paper, noodles, roti (Asian bread) and other specialty items.
But come the end of this week, Mr. Trang will hang up the “Closed for Business” sign, following sluggish sales that are down by a third from just a couple of years ago.
“The sales are bad, and I have health problems,” Trang told Petaluma Patch.
Kristen Sorensen, 42, of Penngrove is one frequent customer who's disappointed about the store's closure and says Trang and his wife offered personalized service to customers who came to their tiny store.
"If you had a dish you wanted to make, they'd tell you the ingredients to use," Sorensen said.
New Asian Market is the latest in a string of Petaluma businesses to announce they are going out of business. Beloved toy store Jungle Vibes is closing this month, while Starstruck Boutique on Kentucky, which sells clothing and jewelry, will become an online vendor.
Last April, Jack and Jill’s, a popular children’s play center on Western Avenue shuttered, unable to keep profits flowing through the summer, and was followed by Early Toy Works in the fall. Meanwhile, a group of concerned residents have launched the Petaluma Cash Mob, aimed at supporting local businesses by "mobbing" them with customers on a designated day.
Last Friday and Saturday, hundreds of shoppers turned out at Heebe Jeebe's to support owner Drew Washer, who has struggled with low sales, giving Washer "her two best days ever." Organizers plan on "mobbing" other businesses on a regular basis and according to Facebook chatter are looking at Vine & Barrel wine shop on Petaluma Boulevard as their next target.
Karma
2:05 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I love the Asian store and shop there often! They are the nicest and have the best prices. So sori 2 C them go. They will be missed tremendously!
Joan Cooper
11:35 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sorry to see the market close. A lovely welcoming atmosphere adding diversity to food stuffs available in Petaluma. Thanks for your presence all these years.
Adorabelle
11:12 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
It's sad that another business is closing their doors thanks to our ever downward spiraling economy. This store has been a great store for purchasing all the Asian products I need for various meals that I've made and it was so convenient being in my own town. Now if I want to cook Asian cuisine and local grocery stores don't have the products I need I'll have to travel to other cities which is very inconvenient for last minute preparations as well as not supporting my local businesses.
This just sucks!
L.K.
7:17 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
:( Very sad to see another great unique store go away. They really are the only source for many imported Asian ingredients. The grocery stores have stuff that has sat around for years in the Asian section.