Viengchan Market

Rooted in Family and Tradition

Rooted in Family and Tradition

With guidance from MEDA, Pateng Yang was able to strengthen her family business’s cash flow management and improved her store layout, all while gaining access to affordable financing that helped expand into a second location. Beyond funding, Yang values how MEDA took the time to understand her story, her family’s roots and vision for creating a store where cultures come together and customers feel at home.

Pateng “Tang ” Yang and family have owned Viengchang Oriental Market in St. Paul since [year], carrying forward a legacy deeply rooted in family, culture and community. Tang’s parents owned a grocery store in Laos, an experience that shaped her understanding of hard work, and the vital role a neighborhood business plays in bringing people together.

When Tang and her family decided to open a grocery store in the United States, they brought that knowledge with them and quickly learned that success would require flexibility, adaptation, and a new strategy. The store they purchased had previously been an African grocery store, and rather than replacing products or alienating loyal customers, she focused on maintaining the store’s core offerings while thoughtfully expanding them. Her vision was not to choose one identity over another, but to bring cultures together under one roof.

Fresh Challenges

One of Tang’s biggest early challenges was rethinking how the store was organized and presented. Drawing from her background, she chose to focus on fresh produce, an area where quality presentation matters deeply. She and her team worked carefully, improving the layout section by section and prioritizing clean, well-lit, inviting displays throughout the store.

That attention to detail paid off. Customers began to notice the difference. The produce section stood out for its freshness and thoughtful arrangement, attracting more shoppers looking specifically for high-quality fruits and vegetables and became one of the store’s biggest wins.

Behind the scenes, Tang knew that strong operations were just as important as a welcoming storefront. She worked with a MEDA business consultant to better understand cash flow and financial statements. Together they reviewed costs and identified ways to minimize expenses and built a stronger foundation for long-term sustainability. That guidance helped Tang feel more confident managing the business and planning for the future.

“MEDA felt less like a lender and more like a partner.”

Tang Yang

Building a Strong Foundation

As the store grew, so did the family’s ambitions. With continued support from MEDA, including access to additional funding and lower-interest financing, Tang was able to open a second location. She worked closely with her business consultant at MEDA to navigate documentation and moved quickly through the funding process.

Beyond the capital, Yang says what stood out most was how MEDA showed up for her as a person. She said, “They wanted to know about my experience and why I was doing this kind of business. They cared where I came from and what I was trying to build.”

“Over time, they felt less like a lender and more like a trusted partner, willing to listen through the struggles and celebrate milestones with us,” said Tang.

Today, Tang takes pride in running the family-owned business that reflects their growth and the community the business serves. What was once a traditional American grocery store now also features a wide variety of Asian foods, thoughtfully integrated into the space. She’s especially proud of the way products are laid out, and how lighting, presentation and flow make customers feel like two cultures are coming together naturally.

Known for her personal approach, Tang often helps customers select ingredients that match their tastes, always mindful not to overwhelm with spice or unfamiliar flavors. Many customers know her simply as “Tang,” a reflection of the relationships she’s built over time.

Looking back, Tang never imagined how far the business would come. Her goal was simple: to do her best every day and create a place where people felt at home – like a piece of her own country.

“I never thought we’d be here, and it’s a big accomplishment,” said Tang.

With MEDA’s support and her unwavering commitment to community, Tang has built more than a grocery store – she’s built a space where culture, family, and opportunity come together.

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