Dongyue Li, a Chinese student at Michigan State University, buys hot pot ingredients at the Fresh International Market at 2800 E Grand River Rd., East Lansing, Michigan with his friends, and they eat dinner every Friday at their home.
“It was a little inconvenient for me when the market closed,” said Dongyue. “I could not buy various Chinese foods at in Meridian Township.”
Fresh International Market, previously the Oriental Mart, closed in September 2020 to renovate for four months and reopened in January 2021. The former Oriental Mart was the biggest Asian market in Meridian Township. It provided authentic Asian foods for local people. After the renovation, the market began to sell international foods.
The location of Fresh International Market is:
New goal
Bowen Kou, the owner of Fresh International Market, bought the former Oriental Mart in 2012. It is located near Michigan State University, which is home to many international students. Bowen thought it was a good opportunity to run an Asian market. Now, he runs five more markets in other states. He tries to make those markets more international rather than only as a market.
“We would like to carry more product not only from Asia but also from other places in the world,” said Bowen. “That’s why we changed the name to be more international. That’s our goal in the future.”
Except providing international products, Bowen and his team wish to contribute to the local community and even the society.
In 2019, the market cooperated with the Salvation Army to subsidize 50 African children for one year’s living and study expenses. In 2020, it did a fundraiser for frontline employees and gave them 5% or 10% of sales on Thanksgiving Day as their bonus. It also has helped a local fire department.
New change
Fresh International Market has increased the types of vegetables, seafood and meat. At the new food court, customers can directly buy processed foods, such as box lunches, bread, milk tea and so on.
“Compared with the past, Fresh International Market attracts me more,” said Xiaoxin Ou, who lives in Okemos and comes to the market twice a week. “It provides more types of products, which greatly meets my needs for food. Also, my girlfriend loves its bread.”
Adding a food court to Fresh International Market is Bowen’s consideration of market demand. Bowen thought it was a good combination with the market, which could generate more sales.
“After renovation, we see a lot of local people come and customer turnout,” said Bowen. “I think the more we gain, the more customers in the community will come. We have received very good feedback. I think people who love our product and start to try new things.”
The Link LonkMarch 29, 2021 at 05:04AM
https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2021/03/fresh-international-market-transition-from-asian-to-global-market/
Fresh International Market: transition from Asian to global market - Spartan Newsroom - Spartan Newsroom
https://news.google.com/search?q=fresh&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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