Asafo Market, A Hot Destination for African Products in Dallas, TX

Grand Prairie, TX -- Asafo Market, owned and operated by two Ghanaians, in Grand Prairie, TX is a very busy place to shop for all your African products. Whenever one goes to the store for shopping, chances are they will see two gentlemen behind the counter dubbed by this writer; "The Laurel and Hardy of African Markets in America". Their excellent customer service is worth emulating and making their business, a very successful one. It is a hot destination for all african products.

On a recent visit to Dallas, TX for the Annual CEANA (Council of Ewe Associations of North America) Convention, a guest at the dinner event was a woman who is regular reader and a big fan of Ghanaweb. This woman approached the writer, commended him for his great work and requested that he stops by Asafo Market before flying back to Philly. She later introduced her husband, Ernest Baidoo; co-founder of the Asafo Market and said a visit to the store would be nice. The next day, the woman's requested was granted and a visit to Asafo Market occurred courtesy of Barimaba aka Evion, a friend to the writer and nephew of Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu II.

Upon entering the store, there was a long queue amid a Nigerian music in the background and the two gentlemen were busy assisting customers with their orders. One of them behind the counter; Mr. Dumfeh was talking to a Nigerian customer in "Pidgin English", he spoke so fluently and certainly answered queries in a polite manner. Within ten minutes when the long queue had decreased, Barimaba made an introduction to co-founder; Mr. Lawruence Asare Dumfeh who was not at the dinner event. Mr. Dumfeh offered his welcome and mentioned that the store always gets very busy and they do their best to cater to the community.

Truly it is a business catered for the community because customers who patronized the store were pleased with the level of services offered by these gentlemen; Baidoo and Dumfeh. As a result of their kindness and customer service, customers are attracted to the store and continue coming back for more shopping. Their smiles alone is a "killer" and attracts customers.

What is the secret to the success of Asafo Market? The co-founders tells their success story to Ghanahomepage. Asafo Market was co-founded by Ernest Baidoo who hails from Nkwatia in the Eastern Region and Lawerence Asafre Dumfeh from Kenyasi, Adwumam, Ashanti Region. The business started in 2003 and the idea came about when two gentlemen met at a party. Mr. Dumfeh who is the epitome of "a graduate from the college of hard knocks" ran an african market from the trunk of his car. He needed a partner to help him find a store to run the business and that is when Mr. Baidoo appeared and the rest they say is history. Mr. Dumfeh acknowledged the help of his partner; Mr. Baidoo for the success of the store.

The location that Asafo Market occupies had been vacant for 2 years before Asafo Market claimed it. It has now become one of the busiest locations in Grand Prairie intersection of 30 and Arkasas Lane, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75052. Asafo Market provides many products for everyone's needs and they have a huge warehouse for distribution. What is so exciting is the manner in which Baidoo and Dumfeh welcome their customers. They seem to know every regular customer who walks in by first name and the new ones are treated cordially. They never stop smiling and greet various customers in their diverse languages. Asafo Market caters to the needs of all Africans, not just Ghanaians, making the market a great place to view various cultures as well.

One interesting comment which touched the writer was when Mr. Dumfeh said he was happy to meet him and like that fact that we are in America where everyone shares their success from a single pie. He said "we have to be like one family and support each other so from now on you are not a stranger to this place". A wonderful comment coming from a great and unselfish person who thinks not only for himself but everyone as well. Asafo Market always support the community as part of their social responsibility in giving back by sponsoring various events organized in the community.

The visit to the store was exciting as every minute the store becomes busy with customers in a queue to purchase their products. Asafo Market is definitely the "flavor" of the town and a must shop place in Grand Prairie, Texas. Baidoo & Dumfeh deserves a commendation for their excellent people skills and treat every customer irrespective of their background like family. They had proved that one hand washes the other, the hand that takes also gives. When Dumfeh needed help to run a store after "hustling" by selling from the back of his car (trunk), he relied on his good friend Baidoo to help and Baidoo unselfishly did not turn his back on him. This partnership of having each others back and working together in running a business is what has made Asafo Market a very successful entity. A great lesson has been learned from the two gentlemen. Kudos to Asafo Market.