Music bumped from Asian Grocery and Gifts from the relatively small commercial space near Mill Bay Road, one of Kodiak’s major roads. There are a few other Asian grocery stores on the island now, but Owner Ana Fangonilo said hers was the first.
“We started the business thinking that Kodiak (at) that time, there was no Asian groceries,” Fangonilo said. “Thirty years ago, there’s not a lot of Asian food.”
That was despite a large Filipino population for the last century.
Asian Grocery and Gifts started in a small, rented building in a different location. That was until they could grow the capital to buy their own store. Fangonilo said it’s a family operation. She practically raised her kids in the store, and now her grandkids can be seen running around it.
“I can’t believe it!” she said. “My kids were just small – I think Hazel, my oldest one, she was just five or six years old, and now she has three kids.”
Over the years, Fangonilo has added a couple full-time staff, as well as a money remittance service. That allows working folks to send money to loved ones abroad.
Fangonilo said she’s enjoyed connecting with customers and working to find what products everyone wants from her store. And to celebrate three decades in business, she gave free food and raffles to thank all of her patrons.
“I am so grateful, this community, Kodiak – I love Kodiak,” she said. “I don’t know how I can say thank you to everyone who supported our store.”
But after so many years, Fangonilo said she’s also ready for a break — if she can get some help.
“I want to take at least one year break if my daughter can run the store, but I’m just going to be here just watching and helping them with the business if they want to take over,” she said.
For now, said she’ll stay in Kodiak, making sure the store stays open every day.
