Hmongtown Marketplace founder plans cultural center at Klub Haus on Rice Street

In a sign of the neighborhood’s changing demographics, a Hmong buyer plans to covert the Klub Haus on Rice Street into a community event and catering center that specializes in cultural gatherings for the Hmong and ethnic Karen communities.

On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council convened as the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority and approved a $100,000 loan to Hi Hi LLC, which plans a $1.17 million purchase and remodel of the 8,000 square foot facility at 1079 Rice St.

The company is owned by Toua Xiong, the founder of the Hmongtown Marketplace indoor shopping bazaar on Como Avenue, and his wife Nou Vang.

The funds will come from the last of the HRA’s Loan Enterprise/Job Opportunity Fund, which will be fully depleted once the loan is made.

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