DEERFIELD — The European and Asian foods store in the Tibetan Plaza is closing just months after it opened, partly because the manager, who could speak English, Russian and Chinese, had to move.
Deerfield’s International Market took a hit when the woman hired as its manager moved to Idaho to care for her grandchildren when her daughter became sick. Sonam Rinchen, who owns the Greenfield Road plaza with his wife, Tenzin, opened the market in a vacant storefront in the spring in hopes of capitalizing on the area’s significant number of Russian and Moldovan immigrants.
Sonam said business was decent, but he is too busy with his other business endeavors — most notably Sonam’s Stonewalls and Art — to focus on the store following the manager’s departure. Tenzin is listed officially the store’s owner, but could not be reached for comment.
The business had a closing sale over the weekend, and Sonam said there may be another this weekend. The market sells various international foods, including difficult-to-find Russian products, like buckwheat and various canned goods. Previously, the space had been a bakery and coffee shop, but it closed down about two and a half years ago. Sonam said he and his wife might start a new business in the space when he is less busy with his stonewall company.
Elsewhere in the plaza — which the Rinchens purchased 2004 and finished building in 2007 — the couple also owns a Tibetan bed-and-breakfast. They also rent spaces to Hillside Pizza, Sheep & Shawl, better.bike, and InBody Movement & Healing Arts.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.