Mesa wants to capitalize on the growing number of Asian-owned businesses, and it’s counting on public input to help.
Mesa launched an online survey focused on its Asian District. It’s centered along Dobson Road between Main Street and Southern Avenue, home to more than 70 Asian-owned businesses.
When Mekong Plaza opened in 2008, it had about 10 businesses. Today, the owner says it’s full, with 28 businesses, including a supermarket and restaurants, a jewelry store and gift shops, a dental office and insurance agency.
In 2016, H Mart announced plans to open its first Arizona store in Mesa. The upscale supermarket chain focuses on Korean foods but will provide a variety of Asian, Hispanic and American products. H Mart will move into a former Albertsons after a major renovation is completed. The 63,000-square-foot store is scheduled to open in 2020.
The survey, open until Oct. 18, 2019, is available to anyone who visits the district. Questions include what visitors like and what they’d like to see. Survey results will help Mesa define a brand for the corridor. The city contracted with two marketing firms, Moonshot11 and WHYFOR, to help with research and branding.
