Pull to refresh
Logo
Wung Lee Supermarket's licence disappears from state list

Wung Lee Supermarket's licence disappears from state list

Rule Changes Saint Paul, MN local

The 30-year-old Hmong grocery on University Avenue appears to have closed, but the record is ambiguous

Today: Licence missing from list

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Wung Lee Supermarket, the Hmong grocery and deli at 347 University Ave W in Saint Paul, has dropped off the state's active food establishment licence list. It was present on the list as of a reading on 2026-08-28, and has been missing from two consecutive readings since 2026-09-28.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture publishes no licence date, so the record says only that the licence was active on the first reading and is no longer listed. A licence can lapse for reasons other than a closure, so the store's status is an indication, not a confirmed fact.

Why it matters

If the store is closed, it removes a 30-year anchor of Saint Paul's Little Mekong community, a hub for Hmong groceries, fabrics, and catering.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

2
Consecutive readings without licence
The licence appeared on the 2026-08-28 reading but has been absent from two subsequent readings.
30+
Years in operation
The family business has served the community for over three decades, per its own website.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

Sign up to generate historical perspectives on this story.

People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

February 2014 September 2026

4 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Licence missing from list

    Today Status change

    The licence is absent from two consecutive readings of the MDA list, suggesting a possible lapse or closure.

  2. Licence present on state list

    Status check

    Wung Lee Supermarket appears on the MDA's active food establishment licence list.

  3. Wins egg roll contest

    Recognition

    The store's Hmong egg rolls take first place in the 2015 State Fair Egg Roll Contest.

  4. Heavy Table reviews the deli

    Media coverage

    Local food guide Heavy Table praises the whole roast duck and Hmong sausage at the back-of-store deli.

Scenarios

1

Licence reinstated, store remains open

Possible Resolves by Nov 1, 2026

Discussed by: Local business observers

The licence drop is an administrative hiccup, a data error, or a short lapse that gets resolved. The store continues trading, and the licence reappears on the list within weeks.

2

Closure confirmed, new owner or vacancy

Likely Resolves by Mar 1, 2027

Discussed by: Local news outlets

The store has closed for good. Within months, the location is either re-let to a new business or remains vacant, marking the end of a 30-year run.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

2010

Shun Fat Supermarket closure (2010)

A large Asian supermarket in a different US city closed its doors after years of serving the local community, citing economic pressures.

Then

Immediate loss of a one-stop shop for imported goods, fresh produce, and a deli.

Now

Other smaller ethnic grocers filled parts of the void, but the loss of an anchor store affected foot traffic in the surrounding area.

Why this matters now

Illustrates the typical aftermath of an ethnic grocery anchor closure: the community finds replacements, but the character of the commercial strip changes.

Sources

(4)

More from Saint Paul, MN

Openings, permits and council decisions in Saint Paul, MN, in your inbox every Monday.