Hidden GEMS of University Avenue: Exploring the Corridor’s International Markets

One of the things that makes the stretch of University Avenue between Lexington Parkway and Rice Street unlike anywhere else in the Twin Cities is its collection of international markets. The corridor is home to locally owned businesses where shoppers can find specialty ingredients, imported products, and pantry staples. From Asian supermarkets and halal markets to African grocery stores, these businesses have become destinations for people searching for everything from hard-to-find spices to ingredients used in family recipes.

During a visit to Shuang Hur Supermarket, the store stayed busy as families and shoppers from different backgrounds moved through aisles lined with imported snacks, fresh produce, seafood counter, specialty ingredients, frozen foods, and everyday pantry staples. The wide selection offered a glimpse into what makes the corridor’s markets so distinctive, with products representing cuisines and communities from around the world all available within a few blocks of one another.

Among these businesses is Ashama Grocery & Meat, located near Victoria Street. The market originally opened in 2002, and in 2010, a group of longtime employees came together to purchase the business after spending several years working alongside the previous owners and staff. Mohamed Salah, one of the owners, said they were initially hesitant about taking on the responsibility of ownership, but ultimately saw it as an opportunity to continue serving the community they had come to know.

“We are dedicated to the communities we serve and work in,” Salah said. “We are thankful for the chance to own this business, do well, and make this life for ourselves while giving back to the community.”

For Salah, Ashama Grocery & Meat is more than a place to purchase groceries. He wants customers to find products they recognize, feel comfortable in the store, and know that the business was built with their needs in mind.

“People from different backgrounds and cultures come shop with us,” he said. “They see themselves here, and we want to welcome them in with open arms and make them happy to be part of this.”

Ashama Grocery & Meat and Shuang Hur Supermarket are part of a larger collection of markets found throughout the corridor. Businesses including 88 Oriental Foods, Phil Oriental Imports, Sun Foods, Midway Grocery & Deli, and St. Paul Grocery & Halal Market each offer their own selection of specialty products and everyday essentials.

Together, these businesses make University Avenue a go-to spot for shoppers looking for ingredients and products that may not be readily available at other area grocery stores. They also give people who are unfamiliar with certain foods a chance to browse, try something new, and learn more about what the corridor has to offer.

These international markets are among the many businesses being highlighted through Hidden GEMS on University Avenue, a campaign facilitated by the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) and supported through the City of Saint Paul’s Commercial Corridor Program. The campaign showcases businesses between Lexington Parkway and Rice Street through storefront window clings, billboards, local influencers, and digital storytelling designed to encourage more people to explore the corridor.

An online directory at www.ndc-mn.org/gems also makes it easy to find restaurants, retailers, specialty markets, beauty businesses, service providers, and other locally owned businesses throughout the area.

Whether shoppers are searching for a specific ingredient, preparing a familiar recipe, or simply curious to see what the corridor has to offer, University Avenue’s international markets provide another way to experience the businesses and communities that make this part of Saint Paul special.