Sonoma County in California welcomes its first Filipino market
Photo from kabayanfilipino/Instagram
Sonoma County celebrated the grand opening of Kabayan Filipino Market in Rohnert Park, the first-ever Filipino market in the area, located at 6590 Commerce Blvd.
The market quickly became a hub for the tastes and sounds of the Philippines, with a soft opening on July 28 followed by the official grand opening on Sept. 8. The festive event featured Filipino music, traditional dance, and the highlight of the occasion, lechon, a slow-roasted suckling pig.
It also included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, blessings, a live DJ, exciting giveaways, and complimentary servings of lechon and pancit, available while supplies lasted.
Owner Armie Rivera’s commitment to the market goes beyond business; it’s a labor of love that feels like home. Having lived in Sonoma County for 17 years, she understood the challenge of finding Filipino products locally and aimed to enrich the community by bringing the essence of the Philippines closer to residents.
Rivera’s dedication was evident in her preparations for the grand opening, setting up a suggestion box where customers could request specific Filipino items.
Inside Kabayan Filipino Market, the shelves and freezers are filled with a diverse selection of Filipino delicacies, including favorites like those from Tropics, Goldilocks, Nora, and more. From multiple varieties of canned foods to various types of lumpia (spring rolls), the market offers an enticing array of Filipino culinary treasures, including Filipino ice cream with flavors like the beloved ube (purple yam).
Having lived in Sonoma County for 17 years, Kabayan Filipino Market owner Armie River understood the challenge of finding Filipino products locally and aimed to enrich the community by bringing the essence of the Philippines closer to residents
Customers have been extremely happy with Kabayan Filipino Market. One customer exclaimed, “Yay! I don’t have to drive to Seafood City in Vallejo to get Filipino groceries! I pray that Jollibee, Chowking, and Red Ribbon Bakeshop also come to Rohnert Park as I have a lot of Filipino friends from San Francisco that ride the bus to Graton Casino to gamble and eat here. They’re gonna be so thrilled to hear about Kabayan Market!”
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Another resident shared their excitement, saying, “Having lived here in RP for more than 3 years! I miss having a close by Filipino/Asian store. I would always drive to Vallejo or Daly City when I am craving for Pinoy food/snacks/ulam. Now I can finally get ingredients and snacks 5 mins away from my home! Buko salad will no longer be a dream! Lol! Most of all, the place is new, so everything is clean, organized, and well-kept! The owners are very nice and so helpful! They even have a suggestion box for items you want but they don’t currently have. I just am so happy to have this store here! I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.”
These enthusiastic reviews highlight the joy and convenience that Kabayan Filipino Market has brought to the community, making it a cherished addition to Sonoma County.
