GREEN BAY, Wis. For the Yang family, running a store isnt their only responsibility to their community. They are proud to display their pride during Hmong Heritage Month inApril.
Main Oriental Market, Pine Street, Green Bay is owned and operated in part by Hmong Americans. Since 1997, they have been providing Asian food and goods to the community. Bruce Yang, the shop’s owner, stated that it has grown to be more than a place for Hmong from the area to purchase traditional foods.
Bruce Yang stated that we make sure the community knows who we are and what we can do to help them.
He stated that Tara Yang Yang, his daughter, runs the business these days.
Tara Yang spoke of her parents as refugees. They arrived with nothing but their clothes and to be able to start a business is amazing.
Tara Yang said that the business serves a greater purpose in the city’s Hmong community. The Yangs business has taken over the role of helping their community members navigate their lives since the city’s Hmong lost its formal cultural center in 2016.
Tara Yang stated that the Asian-American families in this area are immigrants. English is their second and third languages. Therefore, we help them with everything, from translating documents to tax documents to preparing taxes. We try to make sure they have all the resources they require to live a healthy, happy life.
Customer Bill Lee stated that this is a great place to meet family and friends. Translation by Tara Yang
Tara Yang stated that her parents have left a legacy for the Hmong community. One she will treasure and carry on.
It’s so heartwarming to see people find a home at our store, she said.