New Asian Market

Bangkok Market
3207 Powell Ave
Nashville, TN

Driving today I saw this sign, Bangkok Market, a sign I have not seen before. Well, it is a new Asian market in Nashville. It is located in the one-story industrial buildings on the south side of 100 Oaks Mall area, south of the movie theater, south of the Staples and Home Depot, off to the back of this strange set of buildings is this new Asian market. If you have never renovated your home, or kitchen and used one of the design firms or kitchen design firm in these buildings, you many not have given this industrial set of buildings a second look. So, south of the Staples on Powell Ave, there is a small street that has a ragged street sign with the cross streets of Hardison and Powell, and there is this store. It is hard to see from the road.

What was striking about this Asian market is it's design, layout, beauty, and cleanliness. This place is so orderly, pretty, and obviously set up by someone with an eye for design. The family who owns the store also owns the international interior design firm on the 2nd floor of this building, so that is where the beauty of this store comes in. The store is also located in a space that used to be a design firm office, so again, that is where the beauty of the space comes in because it stills has the bones of the design firm. There is really nice lighting and natural light coming into this market that it feels more like a spa experience rather than a grocery shopping experience. Most groceries have fluorescent lights that makes is feel like chore rather than a treat. And of course, most Asian markets here in Nashville, and I would say almost anywhere in the USA, are purely utilitarian shopping, with no design or beauty involved in stocking shelves. This Bangkok market really is a place of beauty.

Now, about the prices. I think everything I looked at are priced competitively to any other Asian market in Nashville. For example the various Asian made ramen noodle packs are about $0.60 per pack at most other Asian markets in Nashville. Bangkok Market sells them for $0.35 or 3 for $1. The fish sauce prices are the same as anywhere. Bangkok Market will sell cases at a discount, so if you wanted a case of coconut milk you will get 10% of your case, otherwise you will get a competitively priced can of coconut milk.

The Bangkok Market is family owned business, so the kids were in the living room area where I believe Asian magazines and other media are for sale. This is common at any family owned market, there are the kids hanging out while the parents work, and maybe one day the market will be their after school job. About the living room area, it feels almost like a book and magazine preview area at the Borders bookstore.

This market is in a soft opening right now, and there will be a grand opening in a few weeks with specials everyday to celebrate the new store. Go check it out. It has such a nice feel to it, like you just spent a day at an Asian Grocery spa.