((L-R) Jesi Scott and Natasha Dempsey | Photo courtesy of Tomi Mart)
Tomi Mart opened their doors in southeast Bend, just off of Third Street, on June 26 of this year. The market specializes in Asian food products, including many snacks and ingredients that are difficult, if not impossible, to find elsewhere in town. In addition to groceries, Tomi Mart provides a selection of small Asian home goods, beauty products, and stationery, adding a distinctive touch to their offerings.
They also make it a point to support brands that are AAPI, women-owned, immigrant-owned, LGBTQIA2S+, and Pacific Northwest-based. This commitment not only helps Tomi Mart bring unique and high-quality products to the community, but also to foster a sense of inclusivity and representation in the market itself.
The market was founded by Jesi Scott and Natasha Dempsey. Scott’s hometown is here in Bend, but she spent several years living in the US and abroad, in places like; Portland, Oregon; Huangdao, China; and Kutchan, Japan. “I felt a strong pull to return to Bend and contribute to the community that has always been close to my heart,” Scott said.
Dempsey, a first-generation Korean American, moved to Bend in 1999. She considers her deep love of food a part of who she is, especially when it comes to sharing traditional Korean recipes with her loved ones, like her husband and two sons.
The duo are committed to ensuring that Bend has access to Asian ingredients and goods, as well as representation, to help bridge the gaps between communities.
Going further, Scott and Dempsey operate the business based on four Cs: community, celebration, culture and collaboration. Their market aims to build strong connections with diverse communities and groups, to celebrate the richness of Asian traditions, to preserve our mountain town charm while elevating diverse cultures, and to collaborate with other businesses, local organizations, nonprofits and more.
“Our focus is on creating a space that goes beyond shopping,” the duo said. “We aim to provide representation, safety, education, and a connection between communities. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel a true sense of belonging.”
The name, Tomi Mart, is an homage to Scott’s family. Her daughter is named Tomiko, while her husband’s grandmother is named Tomi. The market itself has an inviting vibe that has been based on Asian night markets, “it’s fun, engaging, and a bit more of an experience than your typical grocery store,” Dempsey said. “While we can’t replicate everything you’d find in a larger Asian market, like certain smells or visuals, we strive to recreate that sensory experience in our own way. We often have Japanese lo-fi playing in the background, and we make it a priority to ensure everyone feels welcomed as soon as they step inside.”
Both Scott and Dempsey feel that opening a business in Bend has been, “both a challenging and uplifting experience.” They said that the initial hurdles, like finding the right location and navigating city permits, were quite daunting and could easily deter many, but it was more than worth it to push through and start their dream.
Part of what motivated them was the community response to their idea, stating that strong support from the community has been a beacon of encouragement throughout the entire process of opening their business.
Further, the duo says that serving the community was their main motivation to open the market; not profit incentive. “Our venture into Tomi Mart was driven by a desire to contribute to the community rather than solely for financial gain,” they said. “The community’s response has been incredibly heartening. The enthusiasm and support we’ve received — from our pop-up events and crowdfunding efforts to the turnout on our opening day and the ongoing support — have been extraordinary.
They continued, stating that they genuinely feel welcomed and supported by Bend, and this affirmation from the community has reinforced their commitment to making Tomi Mart a cherished part of the local landscape.
While they are mostly focusing on a successful opening of the business and handling the day-to-day, Scott and Dempsey both say that a formal philanthropic program that will help the community is part of their long term plan.
Looking back, they would like to thank the Bend community for all the support, as well as Sue Meyer at COCC’s Small Business Development Center, and Ed Weiser of SCORE, “We’re grateful for these local resources, which have played a significant role in our journey,” they said.
Tomi Mart is open now, with regular operating hours from Tuesday through Friday, 10am-7pm, and Saturdays, 10am-2pm. Stop by to explore Bend’s new Asian market for yourself.
