Farmington Just Got a New Downtown Grocery Store — Meet the Family Behind It
TLDR
Salaam Global Flavors Grocery is now open at 115 Elm St. in downtown Farmington.
It's a full neighborhood market — fresh produce, pantry staples, a deli, global spices, and homemade Ethiopian sambusas.
Owner Keneni Ababulgu is a Farmington mom and former Farmington High food-service worker.
The city and the owner both say Farmington's been without a dedicated grocery store — this fills that gap.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Big news for anyone who's tired of driving out of town for a grocery run. Farmington's got a new neighborhood grocery store, and it's right downtown.
Salaam Global Flavors Grocery recently opened at 115 Elm St. — across from Great Oaks Academy, next to USA Nails and Weng's Kitchen. The owner, Keneni Ababulgu, threw a grand opening with a city ribbon-cutting, and she's been having a blast welcoming neighbors in the door. If the store sounds familiar, that's because the city recently backed it with a $10,000 matching MicroGrant — one of four local businesses Farmington helped out this summer.
What's actually on the shelves
This isn't just a specialty shop — it's set up to be a real grocery store. You'll find fresh whole produce, deli salads and sandwiches, and grab-and-go stuff like smoothies, snacks, and sodas. There's a fridge stocked with seasonal fruits and veggies, plus everyday pantry basics: brand-name cereals, boxed meals, pasta, and olive oils imported from Italy. They've even got paper goods, natural soaps, and detergents, so you can grab non-food essentials too. Carry-out meals are on the way.
Where it gets fun is the global side. The store carries spices and teas from around the world, and Ababulgu's family roots run to Ethiopia — so the shelves include homemade sambusas, the crispy triangular pastries filled with meat or lentils. She's asking customers what they want her to stock, and says more spices from more countries are coming.
The person behind the counter
Here's the part that makes this a Farmington story. Ababulgu and her family lived in Farmington for years, and her four kids go to Farmington schools — two at the high school, two at North Trail Elementary. She used to work in food service at Farmington High herself. So this isn't an outsider dropping in; it's a local mom opening a shop in her own community.
She's also trying to keep it local on the supply side. Salaam is a Minnesota Grown member, aims to carry locally-produced meats and eggs, and is inviting area farmers to reach out about selling their goods in the store. If you're into supporting nearby growers — the same crowd you'd find at the South Metro's farmers markets — that's a nice touch. The family also runs a catering side for community and business events.
Why this matters for Farmington
Farmington's been growing fast — with big new neighborhoods like the 215-home Sawyer Glenn project on the way — but the city has said it didn't have a single dedicated grocery store. Ababulgu says she understands that need and wants to fill it, close to home. She's already eyeing the empty space next door in the strip mall to expand down the road.
How to visit
Salaam Global Flavors is at 115 Elm St. in downtown Farmington, open 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. You can reach the store on Facebook or at 651-434-8437. Next time you're wandering downtown — maybe during Top the Tater Days — it's worth a stop.
(Credit where due: the grand opening was first reported by Sun ThisWeek.)
FAQ
Where is it?
115 Elm St. in downtown Farmington — across from Great Oaks Academy, next to USA Nails and Weng's Kitchen.
What are the hours?
9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
What do they sell?
Fresh produce, deli sandwiches and salads, smoothies, pantry staples, global spices and teas, and homemade sambusas — plus paper goods and household basics. Carry-out meals are coming.
Wait, didn't Farmington have a grocery store already?
The city and the owner both say Farmington's been without a dedicated grocery store, which is a big reason this opening is a deal.
Can local farmers sell their stuff there?
Yes — the owner is inviting area farmers and producers to reach out about carrying locally-grown meats, eggs, and produce.
