Denver's Long-Time Asian Markets Are Worth a Visit as New Chains Arrive
Morgan's Local Spotlight
A new Westword story by Gil Asakawa (Nov. 3, 2026) looks at the wave of new Asian chain markets arriving around Denver and Aurora, and what it means for the family-owned grocers that have served the area for decades.
The long-time markets named in the story
- Pacific Mercantile, in downtown Denver's Sakura Square. Westword calls it a downtown Denver institution since 1946 and the oldest Asian market in the area. Jolie Noguchi is the third-generation head of the store, and her daughter Alyssa, who will be the fourth-generation owner, is already planning fresh ideas such as pop-up events and a kitchen for fresh bentos.
- Little Saigon Market and Saigon Supermarket, along the South Federal Vietnamese corridor.
- M Mart, on the Koreatown strip in Aurora.
Why it matters
New stores bring more choice. Westword also reports concern from long-time owners about competing with bigger chains' buying power. Havana Business Improvement District executive director Chance Horiuchi told Westword she welcomes the new arrivals but is concerned about "the really small mom-and-pop shops that have been around for 40-plus years."
How to support them
Next time you need miso, nori, gochujang or hard-to-find produce, try one of the neighborhood markets that have been here for years.
Read the full story at Westword: https://www.westword.com/food-drink/denver-aurora-new-asian-chain-stores-impact-40957151/
Which family-owned market is your go-to? Tell us in the Denver Front Range Online Facebook group.
Source: Westword, "A flood of new Asian chain stores arriving in Denver creates excitement and concern," by Gil Asakawa (Nov. 3, 2026).
