A combined ribbon-cutting Sunday, May 23 at the Pacifica Square Shopping Center in Aurora offers past success and future hopes. Center, Richard Irvin, mayor of Aurora and elected officials, join Asian-American dignitaries from the greater Chicago area to celebrate eight new businesses. The mix is retail, restaurant, personal care, and entertainment. Fifteen other businesses have opened in the past year with more openings planned for this Summer. Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated each May. Aurora’s Asian-American population is eight percent. The City’s first South Asian elected official, alderwoman Shweta Baid, was sworn into the City Council earlier in May. Pacifica Shopping Center, on the northwest area of Route 59 and New York Street, holds an aim to become the largest Asian-themed shopping center in the United States.Submitted photo
