Corporate Behemoths and Historic Markets Collide as Denver’s Asian Grocery Scene Expands
For decades, finding authentic Asian ingredients in Denver required knowing exactly where to look. Shoppers searching for miso, nori seaweed, or spicy gochujang sauce faced an effective food desert, long before major supermarkets began dedicating single aisles to international items. That retail environment shifted gradually as family-owned markets anchored local communities, from Pacific Mercantile opening in downtown Denver in 1946 to the arrival of regional anchors like H Mart in Aurora in 2004 and Westminster in 2013.
As Westword reported, the recent influx includes Teso Life, which opened in October selling Japanese and Asian snacks, alongside multiple locations of the 85-Degree C Bakery Café and various Colorado outposts of Daiso, the Japanese chain where prices start at $2.25. Gourmet options have also expanded with the December 2025 opening of Dajoa Premium Market in Aurora.
The Pressure on Independent Grocers
Jolie Noguchi represents the third generation running Pacific Mercantile, located in downtown Denver’s Sakura Square. Having weathered the past expansion of major brands like H Mart and Great Wall Chinese Market, Noguchi now faces a new threat: Hashi Market. Planned for 12200 E. Mississippi Ave. in Aurora, directly across from a Great Wall location, the upcoming New York-based, Japanese-themed chain operates under Chinese management and combines a mini department store, supermarket, and catering kitchen serving fresh bentos and sushi.
When Noguchi’s daughter Alyssa—slated to become the fourth-generation owner—first showed her a promotional video of the incoming chain, the reaction was stark. “Oh, my God, Mom! I think this one could hurt us,” Alyssa told her mother, as detailed in the reports by Westword. Although Pacific Mercantile retains a loyal following rooted in decades of community trust and local Japanese-American goods, the Noguchis are actively planning countermeasures, including hosting pop-up events and exploring the addition of an in-house bento kitchen.
“We feel like it’s crazy. It’s like just popping up, all of a sudden. Is there a market for this many in Denver? I say no.” — Jolie Noguchi, Pacific Mercantile
Aurora District Director Weighs Retail Competition
Across town in Aurora, the Havana Business Improvement District views the retail boom through a different lens. Executive director Chance Horiuchi acknowledges the severe competitive disadvantage smaller establishments face against corporate buying power, noting to Westword that independent stores simply cannot match Teso Life or similar giants. At the same time, Horiuchi embraces the new arrivals as a natural reflection of the area’s diverse global corridor, where major intersections routinely draw between 40,000 and 60,000 vehicles daily.
Hashi Market, a Japanese grocery store, will open its Cupertino location on Oct. 9. The company also plans to open an Aurora location at 12200 E. Mississippi Avenue. https://t.co/zRy5VIh9fE
The competition extends far beyond specialty grocers. Mainstream supermarkets and convenience chains are aggressively capturing market share by stocking popular imported items. Target, Five Below, and King Soopers have all expanded their Asian product selections. Even 7-Eleven, owned by Japanese parent company Seven & I Holdings, has driven demand across the United States by introducing viral Japanese-style egg salad sandwiches and updating inventory systems to prioritize fresh foods.
More development is already on the horizon. A One Plus One Chinese grocery store featuring integrated hot pot and pho restaurants is slated to open near DIA at 18200 E. 64th Avenue, with completion projected for 2028.
