Day 237: Mekong Plaza, Mesa, Arizona
📌APIA Every Day (237) - Mekong Plaza, located at 66 S Dobson Road in Mesa, Arizona, opened in 2008 in a renovated former Target building. Developed by Peter Quach and Jimmy Lai, who had previously established markets in California, the complex features a 38,000-square-foot supermarket. The development marked the beginning of what would become a significant Asian commercial district in Mesa, with the plaza's central location serving both local residents and visitors from across the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The plaza's cornerstone is its comprehensive Asian supermarket, which stocks an extensive selection of products from various Asian countries. The inventory includes multiple varieties of rice and noodles, cooking sauces, seasonings, and preserved foods, with dedicated sections for Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipino products. The market also carries specialty kitchen equipment and cooking implements specific to Asian cuisine.
Beyond retail, Mekong Plaza serves as a multi-purpose shopping destination combining dining and services. The property houses several restaurants, including Mekong Palace, known for traditional dim sum service, and Pho Thuan Thanh, which specializes in Vietnamese cuisine. Additional tenants include nail salons, insurance agents, and gift shops, creating a diverse commercial environment.
As of 2024, Mekong Plaza maintains full occupancy with 28 tenants and is undergoing expansion with a 37,000-square-foot addition adjacent to the original building. The plaza's success has influenced the broader development of Mesa's Asian business district, which now includes competitors such as H Mart and AZ International Marketplace. This concentration of Asian businesses along Dobson Road led to the City of Mesa officially designating the area as the "Asian District" in 2020, acknowledging its role as a significant commercial and cultural center in the region.
LEARN MORE:
Info Arizona: Mekong Market in Arizona: A Journey Through Asian Culture and Cuisine
ABC15 Arizona: A look at Mesa’s Asian District as it continues to grow
azcentral: Best new food hubs: Mesa's international markets anchor vibrant Asian dining scene
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