Hmong Bakery and Deli Becomes One-Stop Shop on French Island

Ka Lia Vang's passion project expands from home-based business to thriving community hub.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:31pm

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An elegant arrangement of freshly baked Hmong-style pastries, breads, and deli items photographed in a high-end, minimalist studio setting, conveying the craftsmanship and quality of Ka Lia's Kitchen's offerings.The expansion of Ka Lia's Kitchen from a home-based bakery to a thriving community hub on French Island showcases the power of entrepreneurship and the growing demand for diverse culinary offerings.French Island Today

After operating her home-based bakery, Ka Lia's Kitchen, for a decade, Ka Lia Vang has expanded her Hmong-inspired baked goods and deli offerings to a storefront location on French Island, Wisconsin. The new bakery and deli has become a popular one-stop shop for the local community.

Why it matters

The growth of Ka Lia's Kitchen represents the entrepreneurial spirit and culinary diversity thriving in small communities like French Island. As a Hmong-owned business, it also highlights the contributions of immigrant-owned enterprises to the local economy and culture.

The details

Ka Lia Vang started Ka Lia's Kitchen out of her home 10 years ago, selling her homemade Hmong-style baked goods and deli items to the French Island community. The business proved so successful that Vang decided to expand to a dedicated storefront location, where she now offers a wider selection of baked goods, sandwiches, and other deli items.

  • Ka Lia Vang started Ka Lia's Kitchen out of her home 10 years ago (in 2016).
  • The bakery and deli expanded to a storefront location on French Island in 2026.

The players

Ka Lia Vang

The owner and founder of Ka Lia's Kitchen, a Hmong-inspired bakery and deli on French Island.

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What they’re saying

“We're really excited to have a one-stop shop right here on the island where people can get their baked goods, sandwiches, and other deli items.”

— Ka Lia Vang, Owner, Ka Lia's Kitchen

The takeaway

Ka Lia's Kitchen's expansion from a home-based business to a thriving community hub on French Island demonstrates the power of entrepreneurship and the growing demand for diverse culinary offerings, even in smaller communities.