GREEN BAY, Wis. –– For the Yang family, running a store isn’t their only responsibility to their community. It’s something they are proud of during Hmong Heritage Month in April.

The Hmong Americans own and operate Main Oriental Market on Pine Street in downtown Green Bay. They’ve offered Asian goods and food to the community for seventeen years. Owner Bruce Yang said in that time his shop has become more than just a place for area Hmong to buy traditional foods.

“We make sure the local community knows us better, who we are, and what we can do for them,” said Bruce Yang.

He said his daughter, Tara Yang, helps run the business these days.

“They were refugees,” Tara Yang said of her parents. “They came with nothing but the clothes on their backs and for them to create a business out of nothing is pretty amazing.”

Tara Yang added that the business has served a greater purpose for the city’s Hmong community. Since the city’s Hmong lost their formal cultural center in 2016, the Yang’s business has picked up the slack in helping their community members navigate life.

“The Asian-American families here are immigrants, and English is their second language, so we do everything from helping them translate documents, health documents, tax documents, preparing taxes,” said Tara Yang. “We try to do our best to make sure they have the resources they need to have a sustainable, happy life.”

“This is a place to meet your friends and family members,” said customer Bill Lee, translated by Tara Yang.

Tara Yang said her parents have built a legacy among the Hmong community, one she will cherish and carry on.

“It’s heartwarming to know that people find a home in our store,” she said.