- 439 University Avenue -
Kim Long was the name of one of the city’s first Vietnamese restaurants and one of the first businesses to shape what became Little Mekong. It was named after its owner, who had come to Saint Paul from Vietnam in 1975. He opened his namesake restaurant in 1976.
Long was a fourth-generation restaurateur and a fighter pilot in the Vietnamese Air Force.
Long was well-known for his efforts to bring more immigrant businesses to University Avenue. He would tell people that they could help make the neighborhood better by opening shops and restaurants along University Avenue. He worked with a large group of neighborhood residents to try to rid the area of open-air drug dealing, street prostitution and other crime.
Long also led efforts to build the International Marketplace at 478 University Ave. and to obtain $1 million to fund that project and to make streetscape improvements on the east end of University Avenue. He and others worked with city officials to convert a former Harmon Glass center into a mini-mall of ethnic businesses. That effort began in 1989 and lasted into the early 1990s. One unrealized part of the plan called for flags of all nations to be placed along University Avenue.
]]>- 320 University Avenue -
Lao Family Community of Minnesota, Inc. is a non-profit mutual assistance association founded in 1977 as the Hmong Association of Minnesota. It was founded as a nonprofit mutual assistance program.
Lao Family has been housed for many years at 320 University Ave., although it has expanded its services throughout the region. It provides social work assistance, youth and family programs and educational, arts and crafts and cultural programs. It also sponsors a radio program and many community events. Although a number of late 20th century cultural associations formed to assist new immigrants, Lao Family has emerged as one of the largest and most active groups.
]]>Little Mekong is a business and cultural district in Saint Paul, located between MacKubin and Galtier streets along University Avenue. This area’s mix of retail, restaurant and service businesses are run by people from many cultures, but predominantly from Southeast Asian nations. Visitors come to Little Mekong to experience the authentic flavors of Southeast Asia.
The district took shape starting in the 1970s when Vietnamese, Hmong, Lao, Cambodians, Thai and others fled their home region due to turmoil and persecution. Many people came to Minnesota to find new lives after the Vietnam War ended. Former Gov. Wendell Anderson was a leader in the resettlement efforts. Many churches and social services agencies were also involved.
Several groups quickly formed to help the newcomers find places to live, work and worship. Like so many immigrants before them people formed mutual assistance programs to help each other.
An initiative of the Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA), Little Mekong’s mission is to develop the area around University Avenue and Western as an attractive destination for visitors and residents; to support and promote businesses during light rail construction; to share cultural traditions and activities; and to create a living, breathing, colorful district for all to enjoy. The district’s names derives from the Mekong River, which flows from China through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and connects the cultures of Southeast Asia.
The neighborhoods around Little Mekong include Frogtown and Summit-University. Little Mekong is easily accessible from I-94 via the Dale Street and Marion Street exits.
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