After months of anticipation, TESO life officially opened its doors in Jacksonville this weekend, and judging by the crowds, Northeast Florida was more than ready. We stopped by to see what all the excitement was about, and from the moment we pulled into the parking lot, it was clear this wasn’t your average grand opening. After hearing so much about it online, we decided to see for ourselves if it was really worth all the hype. We expected long waits and a little bit of chaos with it being opening weekend, but the experience ended up being much smoother than we anticipated.

Located at 9278 Arlington Expressway, TESO Life is the largest location in North America. The massive store combines Asian grocery items, beauty products, home décor, collectibles, snacks, drinks, anime merchandise, kitchen gadgets, and just about everything in between. We were surprised by just how big the store actually is. Every time we thought we had seen it all, another section opened up with something completely different.

One of the biggest surprises was how well organized everything felt despite the huge turnout. Even with the store packed, employees were everywhere answering questions, directing shoppers, stocking shelves, and keeping things moving. We expected a long wait at checkout, but the lines moved much faster than we imagined.

One of our favorite discoveries was the incredible selection of treats and drinks. The colorful fruit shaped ice cream bars were an instant hit and almost too cute to eat. Between the unique snacks, imported drinks, and endless aisles to explore, there was something new around every corner. One aisle had rows of colorful Ramune sodas, another was packed with imported candies, and before we knew it we were filling our basket with things we had never tried before.

Beyond the food, shoppers will find shelves filled with Korean skincare, Japanese cosmetics, plush toys, stationery, home décor, cookware, and collectible figures. Every aisle seemed to have something unexpected waiting around the corner. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s honestly fun just walking around to see products you’ve probably never seen before.

We brought along a group ranging from elementary school age to teenagers, and every one of them found something they were excited about. Even the teenagers, who are usually the toughest critics, gave the place their stamp of approval and were already planning what they wanted to come back for. By the time we headed to the checkout, everyone had found at least one thing they insisted on bringing home.

If you’ve seen people calling TESO Life the “Asian Target,” you’ll probably understand why after one visit. It is the kind of place where everyone ends up wandering off in a different direction, only to meet back up with baskets full of unexpected finds. There are plenty of fun, photo worthy displays throughout the store, making it just as enjoyable to explore as it is to shop.

If you’re looking for something different to do, especially on one of those hot or rainy Florida afternoons, TESO Life makes for a fun family outing or an afternoon adventure with friends. Plan to spend some time exploring because there is a good chance you’ll discover something you didn’t even know you wanted. Just be warned, you’ll probably walk in planning to buy one snack and leave with a bag full of things you didn’t know existed.

Before You Go

TESO Life
9278 Arlington Expressway
Jacksonville, FL 32225

Have you visited TESO Life yet? We’d love to hear what your favorite find was in the comments.