International Supermarket in Springdale to Feature Lobster, Fish

Asian Amigo Supermarket, believed to be the only cross-cultural grocery in Northwest Arkansas, is set to open in Springdale in mid-September.

Asian Amigo, the brainchild of entrepreneur Kenny Nguyen, will feature grocery items from across Mexico and Central America, as well as from Asia and India.

In addition to standard cuts of fish, meat and poultry, the 17,000-SF grocery will also offer live lobster, catfish and tilapia. At a customer’s request, Asian Amigo will clean the fish and deep fry it, Nguyen said.

Nguyen will also sell beer.

“I see the potential,” Nguyen said. “I see the population.”

Springdale has the highest concentration of Hispanics in all of Northwest Arkansas, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

Springdale is also at the geographic center of Benton and Washington counties, which, according to the Census, has an Asian population of more than 10,000.

Nguyen, who owns the building at 2201 S. Thompson St., said the grocery store has been in the works for two years.

“I want to be successful,” he said.