I completed the SheBuilds program today and decided I deserved a little treat for the certificate I earned.
I had tried to go to the huge Asian styled building called Oriental Imports off Gateway several times but it was closed and boarded up even though Google Maps said it was open. Turns out it's closed and the owners have moved across the street literally and have a smaller space called Oriental Market. It's been open for about 6 months and I swear I've died and gone to Chinatown.
It was “Big Trouble” for my wallet alright. I wanted to buy everything there…all the tchotchkes and snacks and tools and clothing and decor!
From Chinese cheongsams, to Korean hanboks, to Japanese kimonos, clothing is definitely authentic and you don't have to worry about sizing since you can see the fit there, unlike online.
The market portion has a lot of snacks and sauces and basically they've taken the most well known and tasty brands and stocked them, so they've weeded out the hundreds of off brands a bigger marketplace stocks in the hopes that you'll try another maybe cheaper soy sauce etc. It's just easier to find quality stuff here, imo.
I got a lot of snacks and even got a Kaiju t-shirt that vaguely reminds me of the Jurassic Park logo, so it's mildly ironic. The quality of the items were far better than the actual Chinatown stuff I grew up with in Los Angeles, but we'll see as I use them over time.
I'm so happy I don't have to wait to get my Chinese ointments and wait for Weeee to ship my stuff online. There's now a super cute local place I can go to get them and the prices and service makes it even better!
Come out and #supportlocal
Oriental Market, Inc.
1121 Larry Mahan Dr Suite A, El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 500-5116
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uVVcbzTyZe4TF1vH7
