Toua Xiong was born in 1967 in Laos. He was around 7 or 8 years old when the Vietnam War ended,
and the Secret War began. In July 1975, his family sought refuge in the mountainous jungle regions
of Phou Bia. After years of hardship, they reached the Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand in February
1979, where they remained until September 1985.
During their time in the camp, Toua married his wife in 1982. On May 28, 1986, his family arrived in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they have lived ever since. Toua was 18 years old when he arrived in the U.S., determined to build a better future despite facing immense challenges. For the first five years, his family relied on government assistance as they adjusted to their new life.
In June 1989, Toua earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, followed by a Public Accounting degree in June 1991. His first job was as an accounting assistant at a bank, where he worked from September 1992 to July 1996. However, when the bank was acquired by another company, he was laid off. That moment became a turning point in his life—he made a vow that he would never work for anyone else again.
Since then, Toua has launched multiple businesses, including real estate ventures such as flipping and renting housing complexes, as well as grocery stores, restaurants, tax services, a temp agency, and more. For the past 28 years, he has remained dedicated to his entrepreneurial journey, becoming a prominent Hmong American figure, particularly in Saint Paul.
In 2004, Toua founded HmongTown Marketplace, which has grown into a thriving community hub. In 2024, the marketplace celebrated its 20th anniversary. Today, the shopping center spans 5.6 acres and is home to over 200 vendors. More than just a shopping center, HmongTown Marketplace has created infinite opportunities for Hmong business owners to pursue their own American dream— enabling many to achieve financial success and support their children’s college education without debt.
In 2023, Toua acquired the former Sears property at Maplewood Mall in Maplewood, Minnesota. Spanning 14 acres with 181,000 square feet of space—nearly three times the size of HmongTown Marketplace—this acquisition marks a significant step in his vision for growth. Toua plans to transform the property into "HmongTown 2" by June 2026, aiming to create new economic opportunities for the Hmong community and the broader public.
In addition, Toua holds a purchase agreement for Macy’s and Maplewood Mall itself. If he successfully acquires the properties, it will become the first Hmong-owned mall in history. Combining all three properties, the land is 59 aces and over 727,000 square feet of business spaces. This shopping mall will elevate the Hmong community’s presence and economic standing like never before.
