With over 30 locations nationwide, the Asian-style department store Teso Life opened its first location in Virginia on Jan. 16. Though only encompassing one floor, the store offers a shopping experience similar to that of a mall in East Asia, selling Asian snacks, beauty products, home goods, collectibles and more. What makes the department store so unique is the sheer variety of the items sold.

“I think it’s really different from a lot of other asian stores,” sophomore Nhoor Sandhu said. “It’s really similar to HMart, just with less food and more diverse products.”

The store’s vast catalog of products allows customers to explore, discover and test out new products that they normally would not look for.

“I think just looking around and exploring all these different items [is great], because I don’t see all of these items on a daily basis when I go to Walmart or Giant,” sophomore Jimin Lee said.

Teso Life offers items that could otherwise only be bought online at a relatively reasonable price. Many of the products found at the store are directly imported from Japan, China, Korea and other Asian countries. This cuts down on shipping costs that would normally be passed onto customers.

The store steers towards a younger consumer base through its minimalistic and trendy vibe. With the abundance of viral products that can be found, it is clear Teso Life is keeping up with internet culture. The Gen Z atmosphere is best showcased in one of the highlights of the store: their claw machines.

Teso Life has gained much of its popularity through advertisements on social media. That popularity was evident on opening day, when a line stretching nearly three blocks formed outside the store. While the turnout highlighted the excitement brought by the new location, some customers found the wait—up to an hour in cold weather—difficult to justify.

Unfortunately, the extensive range of products could also be overwhelming for many. Although the store creates a fast-paced environment with its tightly-packed aisles that require constant movement, the experience may turn to feel draining within half an hour, especially on a crowded day.

Ultimately, despite Teso Life’s long lines and packed aisles, the store’s trendy atmosphere and immense array of viral and distinctive products makes the store worth a visit—preferably on a weekday, to skip the lines.