Nine Asian Grocery: A Family Affair

Nine Asian Grocery -- A Family Affair

Right in the heart of Wilkesboro, not far from Tyson Foods, you’ll find a little slice of Asia. Nine Asian Grocery, part of the community for three years now, sells a wide variety of foods that cater to the Asian community, from staples such as rice and broth to drinks and snacks like bubble tea in a can and LaPhatThote (pickle tea leaves with assorted beans).

The store is run by Naing Win and his wife, who moved to Wilkesboro eight years ago. The couple is originally from Burma, and lived in Texas a few years before relocating to Wilkesboro. “We loved Wilkesboro so much that we soon knew it is where we want to be for the rest of our lives,” Naing says. He and his wife bought a house and planted roots, and in 2019 the grew their commitment to the community by opening Nine Asian Grocery.

Naing and his wife work full time at Tyson, but wanted to open the grocery store because they saw a need within the growing Burmese community. “We saw that people needed an Asian grocery close by while working long hours at Tyson,” Naing says. “Not only is it convenient, it helps a little to prevent home sickness in our Asian community.” He’s also found the store is a good way to share their Burmese culture to the Wilkesboro community they’ve made their new home. “The Asian energy drinks are popular with the Americans who visit the store, and when they come we love to teach them and give recommendations for other foods,” Naing says.

In addition to food, Nine Asian Grocery sells clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics from Burma. “After the recent coup in Burma in 2021, there have been fewer tourists and the people of the ancient city of Bagan, who made their living selling to tourists, have less customers,” Naing says. “We have brought their handmade items to our store to support the Burmese talent.  

When Naing moved his family to Wilkesboro, they were the first Burmese living in the area. Since then, he and his wife have helped other Burmese legal immigrants settle in Wilkesboro and find jobs at Tyson. They’ve also been able to help immigrants from Nepal, Africa and Afghanistan. His store has been a good way to share his Burmese culture with others, no matter where they’re from. “Local Americans, people from the Hispanic community and our Asian friends who stop by the store are all very friendly and open to explore our culture through our food. Talking about food is the best way to make friends with strangers and get to be a part of the community,” Naing says.

Nine Asian Grocery is open from 4:00-10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.