Asian retailer to shut its doors in Antioch

By Roni Gehlke
Contra Costa Times

ANTIOCH — A year and a half ago, County Square Market opened its doors here amid fanfare usually reserved for a Chinese New Year celebration. Costumed dragon dancers and taiko drummers entertained hundreds inside the new market that featured a variety of Asian foods, a hot deli, bakery and fresh fish market.

On Wednesday, the store will close its doors despite the welcome reception it has received in East County.

The building that houses the market on Hillcrest Avenue has gone into foreclosure, according to one of County Square's owners. As a result, the store can no longer operate there.

"The simple fact is that banks are not landlords," said one of the grocery's owners, Elaine Chan.

Over the past few months, the market has tried to negotiate with the building's owner and the bank to find a solution, but to no avail, Chan said.

"One of our customers works in real estate and said we should just stay as long as we can, but we are realistic and know there is nothing to be done," she said.

County Square Market is a family-owned business with another location in Pleasant Hill. Chan said she doesn't want customers to feel sad for it. "We are just scaling down for now. It is better to be smaller and stronger now, and hold out until the economy improves," she said.

The owners are encouraging customers to visit their store in Pleasant Hill.

"The worst part for me is that we have to let go of some of the employees when we close down this store," Chan said.

She hopes to transfer as many employees as possible to the Pleasant Hill store when the Hillcrest location closes next week. "That is not only bad for the employees, but also the city of Antioch," Chan said.

Several local businesses have shut down in the past year, and people in Antioch need jobs, she said.
Milly Chin of Oakley enjoyed shopping locally instead of traveling to Pleasant Hill once a month to buy her favorite items. "I like trying new recipes," she said. "Sometimes I would come in and share the finished product with the people here."

A large number of non-Asian customers also shop at the store and enjoy trying out new recipes, Chan said. That was the case for Tim Burke and his family.

"We heard about this place through friends and decided to check it out when it first opened," he said. "We've come several times since and really enjoyed it."

Burke said he doesn't know whether he will travel to Pleasant Hill to shop. "I want to say I will, but I don't think I'll find the time. We need more places like this here. Especially the fresh fish market."

Although the Antioch store has been successful, Chan said there are no plans to reopen it at another East County location. The most successful features of the market have been the hot deli, bakery and fish market, but they are the most expensive to set up and too costly an investment for the business right now.

The Pleasant Hill location has been open for nine years, and Chan doesn't see that location closing anytime soon. One reason the family opened the Antioch store, she said, was because so many customers were driving from East County to Pleasant Hill.

She hopes those loyal customers will come back. Meanwhile, the Antioch store will offer discounts on all its products during the final week to thank customers.

"We'll really miss the customers; they've been amazing," Chan said.