By Rosemary McCoy

A new market on the east side of Sioux Falls combines international foods with American snacks and necessities such as laundry detergent, and adds in African jewelry and a unique clothing line.

Abe Dibba opened Falls International Market earlier this month at 2408 E. 10th St. next to Qdoba. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

“The main mission is goods from all over the world,” Dibba said.

He gained his retail experience working as a partner in another ethnic grocery and is excited to create a business following his ideas of what makes a great market.

The store is well-lit and also flooded with natural light from large windows. The shelving is new, and while it’s full of merchandise, items are neatly arranged.

Dibba plans to have “smooth” music playing in the background. He likes to listen to reggae and R&B, and wants customers to enjoy their experience shopping at the store.

“If you walked in here not feeling good, I want you to be happy by the time you leave.”

International products include fufu flour made from plantains and injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread. There’s a small cooler of beverages and a freezer with frozen fish, meat and vegetables.

The market also includes another venture of Dibba’s. Mixxed Brands sells handmade jewelry and keychains imported from his homeland of The Gambia in West Africa and T-shirts that he and his sister embellish with a patch of traditional African cloth sewn on the chest.

“Some people don’t prefer to wear the whole thing as a garment, so I came up with something that uses the material,” said Dibba, whose family has lived here since 1998.

He’s working to also sell the jewelry and T-shirts on a website, MixxedBrands.shop, which should be online soon.

On Sept. 2, Falls International Market will have a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dibba plans to have a barbecue and games in the parking lot behind the store.