Darwin's Asian Gateway

Kivi and Vicki Lay emigrated from East Timor to Darwin as refugees. After having a job in cleaning and as a porter in a hotel, Kivi saw an opportunity in the market for Asian groceries and shop goods. He opened his first store in Darwin and sold porcelain goods and Asian gifts. The business thrived and expanded until he relocated to Coconut Grove where it remains trading to this day as the Oriental Emporium.

This was a major step forward for the family and this resulted in the creation of the Lay-Group which now includes property development and the Asian United Food Service which is the wholesale foodservice division of their business operation. The Oriental Emporium is truly Darwin’s own gateway to Asia.