Mimi Luong has emerged as a leader and a cornerstone in the business communities of Southwest Denver, the Far East Center, and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. She is known for her dedicated advocacy and for sharing the cultural traditions and celebrations of these communities with the broader Denver community. As the co-owner of Truong An Gifts located in the Far East Center, a pivotal establishment in Denver’s Little Saigon District, Mimi is committed to creating a destination where people can celebrate traditions in a neighborhood rich in cultural history, with a profound impact on South Federal Boulevard. In our conversation with Mimi, she shares her enthusiasm for collaborating with small business owners and fostering environments where immigrants can thrive. Her tireless efforts align well with our values of joy, imagination, and courage, as she diligently works to create spaces dedicated to honoring her cultural heritage and shares these experiences with the broader community.
DSP: How did you get involved in your community events work?
Luong: I love hosting events that bring the community together. I enjoy witnessing the growth of small and emerging businesses and how they kick-start their startups through our festivals and events. Our community shares a wealth of culture, food, and cultural celebrations. Providing a platform to share these traditions with the community is invaluable and having the opportunity to do so means a great deal to me. Many of our attendees relish learning about our culture, savoring our foods, and participating in our celebrations. I hope it can leave an impact and educate the younger generations about these traditions.
DSP: What does community mean to you?
Luong: The community of Little Saigon Denver is where I grew up. Our family has been in this district for over forty years. Little Saigon is home to businesses run by families much like ours—people who are refugees, seeking a fresh start and a new beginning in a new country. Each business in this district carries a profound story and history. I aspire to preserve Little Saigon as a place that will always be remembered as our hub, a place where people can come to enjoy delicious food, go shopping, partake in festivities, and more. It’s an opportunity to experience the culture and traditions that we grew up with.
It’s been amazing being able to share the traditions that my parents have taught me, and now I can pass them on to my friends, family, customers, and the community. I hope to impart my culture to the younger generations by teaching them the roots passed down by our parents and grandparents. Even if they don’t have the opportunity to travel to celebrate these occasions elsewhere, they can still enjoy each festivity and holiday celebration right here in Denver, Colorado.
DSP: What are your hilltops and valleys? What challenges have you faced?
Luong: Our current challenge is that our community, as well as the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, lack representation. Over the past few years, we have been increasingly advocating for our district and making efforts to raise our community’s visibility. We aim to ensure that city members are aware of the rich culture and traditions that exist in this area. We want them to recognize that we are here and in need of their support. Continued support is essential for sharing resources, nurturing our community, and fostering growth in our district. We also need to beautify our corridor to create a more welcoming and safe environment while boosting the local economy. By enhancing our corridor, we can attract new and emerging businesses that will thrive and contribute to the vitality of our district.
DSP: What are the big successes that keep you going? What is your most proud moment?
Luong: My proud moments are the smiles that our family business Truong An Gifts, our plaza, and our events have brought to people and families that come to our area. The area has become a tourist destination. It has a historical story behind the buildings and businesses. People come out to celebrate and enjoy the environment. This is what makes me work 110% harder for my community. I want this district to stay strong and growing. Our district has started from the Far East Center and has organically grown into a whole street full of AAPI businesses. I want to keep going, volunteering my time, and helping this district brand a name that people recognize. I’m proud that the work that I do brings the traffic towards this area, creating a successful destination.
DSP: What other organizations, people, and entities have been involved/a part of your work?
Luong: I have a deep affection for my work with the Denver Streets Partnership, which is one of my primary organizations that has consistently supported my efforts. Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Jill Locantore. She serves as a tremendous source of inspiration for me, propelling me to work even more diligently. Her influence has revealed to me the passion I have for what I do, fueling my determination to push even harder and advocate for the district’s growth. In addition to this, I’ve formed partnerships with numerous AAPI organizations and city elected officials to contribute to the district’s development.
What empowers you?
My kids, the younger generations, and the people in the community serve as a source of empowerment for me. They are the ones who inspire me to host these events and provide the drive to persevere.
DSP: What empowers you?
Luong: My kids, the younger generations, and the people in the community serve as a source of empowerment for me. They are the ones who inspire me to host these events and provide the drive to persevere. I do it out of love, without any financial compensation. I genuinely believe it makes a positive impact on the community by fostering unity and being deeply rooted in culture. These events grant us the opportunity to share our culture, traditions, and holidays. They also offer a platform for me to create opportunities for small businesses, as I enjoy sharing resources. As a small business owner myself, I understand how challenging it can be to establish a presence. We seek spaces like this to showcase our businesses, and I am delighted that I can provide that for other small businesses.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival (MAF), I was so exhausted that I contemplated quitting and not proceeding with planning for the following year. However, a chance encounter with a customer who had participated in this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival changed my perspective. She openly shared her experiences and mentioned that her daughter’s favorite holiday is now the Mid-Autumn Festival. After migrating to the United States, her parents had become deeply immersed in American culture, leading to a loss of some of their cultural traditions. However, by participating in MAF, she was able to rekindle these cultural experiences and share them with her daughter. It was this heartwarming story that convinced me to continue this journey.
Luong: I may not even know what I’ll be doing tomorrow, but I’m prepared to embrace whatever the universe has in store for me. My primary desire is to share my dream as an entrepreneur, to guide others in finding the balance between being a business owner and managing other aspects of their lives. The future is uncertain, but I can assure you that it will leave a lasting legacy. I hope to make a meaningful difference, inspiring younger generations to follow in my footsteps and continue the path I’ve started. There’s tremendous value in embracing each other’s cultures and traditions, and I aspire to see the entire state of Colorado celebrating our Mid-Autumn Festival.
My next significant event on the horizon is Lunar New Year. We’ve been hosting this event for over 33 years, and now it’s even recognized as an observed state holiday! I aim to take it to new heights, offering more immersive elements of this celebration. In the coming year, I plan to launch a Year of the Dragon initiative from January 1st to February 10th. During this period, we will conduct various classes and seminars to educate people about our holiday in the lead-up to the event. All in all, my hope is to leave a lasting impact.
Conclusion:
As an accomplished cultural place-maker, Mimi advocates for small business owners and honors AAPI culture and tradition through community participation. She is passionate about connecting communities to heritage. She’s driven by the opportunity to make a difference and leave a legacy for the younger generations to continue. Keep up with Mimi’s initiatives on Facebook at @truongangifts, @fareastcenter, and @littlesaigondenverco, and look out for more events, specifically the Far East Center’s Lunar New Year in early 2024!
