When customers describe SB Food Depot as a kind of Costco's "but without the membership," the owners of this instantly popular store don't mind the comparison one bit.

At its Grand Opening on Sunday, customers looking to stock up on a wide variety of Asian cuisine were met with a dazzling red fire cracker display, a lion dance, singers, dancers and speakers touting what it means to have an SB Food Depot on the northeast side of Arlington, at 2125 East Division St. A lot, it appears.

"It's food and supplies at wholesale prices- who wouldn't like that?" said Yen Nguyen, president of the Tarrant County Asian American Chamber of Commerce, which offices in Arlington. "We call it a Sam's Club without the membership because customers are able to come in and get things in bulk and the variety of things here is quite extensive. We're confident that this is going to be a very popular store."

SB Food Depot is a unique shopping experience partly because its goal is to help business owners with quality products at reasonable prices. SB Food Depot staffers sit down with new business owners planning to open restaurants or serve those who want to buy in bulk for their family needs. Their motto: "We are the one-stop shop for all your food and restaurant supply needs."

This family-owned and run franchise was founded as Southern Bay Seafood & Wholesale in 1987, where it quickly became one of the most trusted wholesalers in Texas. Nam Hung Supermarket emerged shortly after that to sell fresh produce, meat and groceries in Arlington.

Thuy Duong Kim of Arlington knew about the new store, but wasn't aware of the big grand opening until he drove by on his way to somewhere else.

"There's so much here, so much," he said, his cart already quite full. "It looks like a big warehouse. With a restaurant in it."

Indeed, tables in the back of the store allow customers to have food right there on the premises, restaurant style.

"This is really a new concept for Asian culture. Something that really hasn't been done before," Nguyen said of the bulk-type buying and the restaurant combo. "But this family is a testament to the hard work it takes to run businesses and especially successful businesses. They are certainly a role model in the Asian-American community."

District 1 City Council Member Charlie Parker was one of the local dignitaries to attend. "We see these sorts of business enterprises as a partner with the City," said Parker, who was joined at the event by Assistant Police Chief James Hawthorne, members of the Arlington Fire Department and Precinct 2 Tarrant County Commissioner Andy Nguyen.

"We certainly want to welcome them to this part of Arlington, where it will definitely be appreciated," Parker said.