New general merchandise vendor licensed at St. Paul's Hmongtown Marketplace
Money Moves Saint Paul, MN localXiong Kia Lee Dba General Merchandise cleared for food handler retail at 217 Como Ave, home to 200+ vendors
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Overview
Updated 1 hour agoA new general merchandise vendor is cleared to open at Hmongtown Marketplace, the first Hmong-owned and operated marketplace in the United States. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's food handler retail license for Xiong Kia Lee Dba General Merchandise appeared on the agency's list on August 29, 2026.
The license covers 217 Como Ave #203 in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood, where the marketplace has operated since 2004. It's a small but concrete sign that the 200+ vendor cultural hub continues to attract new entrepreneurs.
Why it matters
A new vendor at Hmongtown Marketplace shows the first Hmong-owned US marketplace still draws entrepreneurs, keeping the Frogtown hub viable.
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People Involved
Organizations Involved
First Hmong-owned and operated marketplace in the US, with 200-300 vendors in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood.
State agency that licenses food handler retail businesses in Minnesota.
Timeline
2004 August 2026
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New vendor license on record
Latest LicensingFood handler retail license for Xiong Kia Lee Dba General Merchandise appears on Minnesota Department of Agriculture list.
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Hmongtown Marketplace opens in St. Paul
OpeningFirst Hmong-owned and operated marketplace in the US opens at 217 Como Ave.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
Hmong resettlement in Minnesota (1975-1990s)
After the Vietnam War, tens of thousands of Hmong refugees resettled in Minnesota, many in St. Paul. The community built businesses and institutions, including the marketplace that opened in 2004.
The Hmong community established a strong presence in St. Paul's Frogtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
Minnesota became home to one of the largest Hmong populations in the US, with a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The new vendor is part of this broader pattern of Hmong American entrepreneurship in St. Paul.
Hmongtown Marketplace opens (2004)
Toua Xiong opened Hmongtown Marketplace at 217 Como Ave in St. Paul, creating the first Hmong-owned and operated marketplace in the United States. It started as a hub for Hmong American vendors selling food, produce, and cultural goods.
The marketplace quickly grew, attracting hundreds of vendors and becoming a cultural landmark in the Frogtown neighborhood.
It became a model for ethnic enclave marketplaces and a key economic engine for the Hmong American community in Minnesota.
This is the venue where the new vendor is licensed to open, and the marketplace's success is what makes the location attractive.
Little Saigon, Orange County (1980s)
Vietnamese refugees built a commercial district in Orange County, California, that became a model for ethnic enclave entrepreneurship. It grew from small shops to a major economic and cultural hub.
Little Saigon became a destination for Vietnamese American goods and services.
It demonstrated how refugee communities can build self-sustaining commercial districts.
Hmongtown Marketplace follows a similar pattern of refugee community entrepreneurship, and new vendors like this one keep it viable.
