Siblings' amazing journey: From an escape in Vietnam to opening new Asian-American supermarket in Fargo

FARGO — Customers waited in the parking lot before the doors even opened at the new Asian and American Supermarket on Fargo's Main Avenue.

At 9 a.m., the store welcomed hundreds of new customers on its first day, and by mid-morning, the scanners and cash registers were ringing.

Word spread quickly. Fargo's new Asian and American Supermarket was open. The business moved operations from their prior location on Main Avenue, to a spacious supermarket.

"It is triple the size," said co-owner John Huynh. "It's 19,500 square feet."

An international supermarket is a first in Fargo-Moorhead. There is more space, more specialties and a lot of unique meats. Local foodies love it.

"(H)aving a wide variety of mushrooms like they have here, and having dried mushrooms, (...) which is used a lot in Asian cuisines, but can be used in other cuisines too," customer Drew Balstad of Fargo.

The journey to this store for owners John Huynh and his sister Sarah Huynh, started in Vietnam years ago when Communists jailed their father for working undercover. Sarah escaped through the jungle and into Cambodia. At 10 years old, John Huynh lived on his own. They all ended up in Pelican Rapids, and later in Fargo.

"(M)y dad wanted his kids to have a better opportunity, and I think we are reaching that for him," Sarah Huynh said.

Sarah Huynh is a nurse at Sanford, and now she and her brother have opened the doors on this new supermarket.

"We are living the American dream," Sarah Huynh said.

"Anything is possible," John Huynh said.

The supermarket appeals to a real mix of customers who love its options. Several items are difficult to find anywhere else locally, like onion Kit-Kat bars, spicy peas, cuttlefish jerky, grilled seaweed and 25 types of rice. They may even soon open a deli.

"Adds some spice to our, kind of Scandinavian food choices around here," said customer Hans Kammerer. "We generally have pretty bland food."

The market will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.