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You can go around the world in a few short miles around Aragona.
Eight international grocery shops – from Indian to Asian, Mexican to Mediterranean, Israeli to British – are located around one of the city’s oldest residential developments. Owned and operated by immigrants and their families, the shops provide locals with authentic flavors and cultural expertise, some for more than 20 years.
John Gabor, Aragona Village Civic League president, said the concentration of grocers is “one of the best kept secrets” of the city .
“All the diverse stores are only a glimpse of the many ethnic families we welcome to our neighborhood,” he said.
Let’s take a tour.
Four Seasons Asian Market
In business more than 20 years, the market “is so crowded on weekends, you can’t move in the aisles,” said Tram “Kim” Nguyen,
Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam, has co-owned the store with her father Hoa Tran, since 2003. They stock Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino foods, but dabble in Indonesian and Moroccan. Refrigerated cases carry fresh fish and live snails, Manila clams, cooked blood, pork stomachs and balut, or fertilized eggs, for starters. A dizzying array of packaged goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, teas, noodles, ethnic newspapers and Buddhist worship items fills the shop.
Four Seasons Asian Market, 311 Kellam Road, open daily. 499-2173.
Swagat Health Food and Spices
Naresh and Neelam Kumar have owned Swagat for 10 of its 21 years.
“The location is good, with lots of traffic,” Neelam said. “Many customers bring recipes, and we help find ingredients and explain how to prepare the dish.”
In addition to frozen and ready-to-eat foods, Swagat carries fresh fruits and vegetables. Curries, masalas, teas, naan breads, Indian pickles, basmati rice and chutnies crowd the shelves, along with statuary, hennas, DVD s, CD s and reading material.
Products associated with ayurvedic medicine – a holistic system popular in India – are available. Neelam said chyawanprash, an herbal nutrition supplement, is very popular.
Swagat Health Food and Spices, 308 Aragona Blvd., closed Mondays. 499-7317.
J Mart
Next door to Swagat is 3-year-old J Mart, run by Hisako Rodriguez, who assumed operations in 2007.
“I have one foot in the past, and one foot in the future,” she said, referring to a strictly Japanese inventory that includes traditional and modern foods. “I stay on top of trends in Japan.”
Tidy refrigerators and aisles display sashimi-grade tuna, tofu, seaweed, tea, dashi, miso, snacks, sweets, toiletries, and comic books. Fresh bakery goods arrive each weekend.
“I like to try new taste experiences,” said customer Matthew Kaitschuck of Norfolk. “You shop at a store like J Mart because it’s the real deal.”
Future plans include the sale of sake and Japanese beer.
n J Mart, 308 Aragona Blvd., closed Mondays. 201-3520.
Leila’s Mediterranean Groceries & Deli
A half-mile from Aragona Boulevard sits Leila Shaheen’s 6-month-old store and deli.
Inventory includes her own Shaheen olive oil, tahini and imported olives, as well as Greek, French and Turkish feta cheeses, hummus, beans, grape leaves and baklava.
Popular deli items include Chicken Tawook, gyros, and falafel, which can be eaten in at one of the tables and chairs lining the windows.
Leila’s Mediterranean Groceries & Deli, 4505 Virginia Beach Blvd., closed Sundays. 644-6912.
British Shop
North on Aragona to Witchduck Road is the year-old British Shop, owned by Ray and Helen Blanchet .
Chairs are out for Saturday customers who sample teas and treats.
“It’s like the corner shop from home,” said Ann Weatherspoon, a Scottish born resident of Aragona. “I love the hospitality and the pies, sausages, bacon and homemade rolls.”
The Blanchets stock refrigerated and packaged items from the United Kingdom, including meats, cheeses, Scottish soft drinks, Ribena fruit squash, crisps, candies and teas.
New are limited selections of rugby and soccer shirts, dish and bar towels.
British Shop, 676 N. Witchduck Road, closed Sunday. 769-7670.
Hana Oriental Market
Owner Choon Kim took over the 25-year-old market 10 years ago.
Along with Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese and Vietnamese packaged goods, refrigerated items and fresh fruit and vegetables, the shop carries fresh marinated beef short ribs, miso and beef bulgogi.
“We have a kimchi factory next door,” said Choon’s daughter, Diane Kim. The Korean dish is prepared weekly in radish, cucumber, white napa, water and green onion flavors.
The shop also carries fresh Kim Bap, Jap Chae and assorted side dishes. Korean DVDs, CDs, toiletries, and even kimchi refrigerators are for sale. A fresh seafood market is planned.
Hana Oriental Market, 4885 N. Witchduck Road, open daily. 497-7424.
Little Israel
Inside Little Israel’s door, a backgammon board and courtesy cup of tea beckon visitors.
“Everyone is welcome,” said Yehuda Mizrachi, adviser to store owners Donna and Sion Mizrachi, his wife and son.
“I shop here because I can get the whole range of kosher products without having to drive all over the place,” said Rebecca Tall of Virginia Beach.
A Vaad Hakashrus Tidewater certified grocery, Little Israel sells glatt kosher meats, canned and packaged goods, olives, cucumbers and peppers. Sion said they plan soon to open a kosher deli with falafel, shawarma and sandwiches.
Little Israel, 624 Independence Blvd., closed Saturdays. 962-3368.
La Tienda Mexicana
Tucked around the corner from Little Israel is La Tienda Mexicana, run by Leticia Fernandez, co-owner.
The shop relocated in April from Giant Square. Among items in the refrigerated case are Oaxaca and Queso Fresco cheeses, desserts, banana leaves and sausage.
“Pork chorizo is very popular,” said Fernandez.
Racks of spices and dried peppers offer fiery options ranging from the mild Ancho to very hot Chile Arbol.
Piñatas, sombreros, music and videos offer cultural fun. Every Thursday, the shop receives a delivery of homemade Mexican bread and pastries, which also can be pre-ordered.
La Tienda Mexicana, 624 Independence Blvd., open daily. 557-0843.
Irene Bowers, bowersi@aol.com
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