May 19, 2006

Manila Oriental Market opens its doors on Mother’s Day

The Evergreen community celebrated more than one kind of MOM this Mother’s Day, as May 14 was the opening day for the Manila Oriental Market, located near the corner of White and Quimby Roads.

Manila Oriental Market in Evergreen opened as the newest of a four-market chain in the Bay Area. An overwhelming community response brought out more than 5,000 customers on Mother's Day. Photos by Jeff Frazee

By all accounts, the turnout was tremendous. More than 5,000 shoppers coursed in and out of Manila Oriental Market on its inaugural day. The flow slowed a little following the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Mother’s Day, with more than 4,500 patrons on May 15 and over 4,000 the next day.

Wide isles displayed Asian vegetables, melons, and mangos, while water flowed through tanks holding live catfish and green muscles. A meat counter stretched the length of the store, and butchers were busy filling orders for fresh cuts of meat.

Vietnamese-American brothers Peter, Larry, and Jeremy Lai chose to open their fourth market after a favorable market survey of the Evergreen neighborhood. Three other MOMs exist in Daly City and Sunset.

Fely Llanes, a 10-year resident of Evergreen, was perusing Manila Oriental Market for more than three hours on opening day.

“I was supposed to just get carrots,” Llanes said. “It’s a bargain. You can buy oriental and American food at the same place, and it is cheaper, because they stock more.”

The Yau Kung Moon lion dancing team performs a traditional Chinese blessing on the opening day of the Manila Oriental Market.	MOM's co-owner Peter Lai leads a procession of lion dancers through the market on opening day as part of a traditional blessing.