The team behind Mochilicious Sanger includes, from left: Jimmy In, Monique Keo and Chanthan. Photo contributed

Sanger is now a bit sweeter with the recent expansion of a Fresno business.

Mochilicious, a bakery specializing in mochi donuts, Korean corn dogs and boba drinks, recently opened its second location in Sanger at 775 N Bethel Ave, across the parking lot from Wal Mart.

Monique Keo and Jimmy In opened their first location in Fresno in 2022 at 4823 E. Butler Ave, a few doors down from the Vallarta Supermarket.

She said they love the small town feel of Sanger, and the community has been welcoming.

Keo said they opened on Black Friday, starting off with a soft opening, menu and hours.

“We are building momentum and since Black Friday, we are seeing new faces every day — and we sell out constantly,” Keo said.

 

The store covers 1,300 square feet, a bit larger than the original location, which is 975 square feet.

Keo said people like to splurge on treats and snacks, and even though mochi bakeries might heavily saturate the larger metropolitan areas, there are not many in the Central Valley.

Mochi donuts are a fusion pastry combing traditional American doughnuts and Japanese mochi, a dessert made of sweet, glutinous rice flower, or mochigome. The hybrid batter gives mochi donuts a chewier and softer taste than traditional American donuts.

Their late son, Nathan, passed away from a fentanyl overdose in 2021 at 20 years old. He is the inspiration for the opening of the first location.

 

Keo said she feels Nathan would be proud of the success of the first location, and the opening of the second location.

Employees are shuffled back and forth from the Fresno location to the Sanger location with two employees working per shift.

The pair opened the Sanger location with Keo’s sister, Chanthan, who also works there.

Keo said most people are still new to items like mochi donuts, rice flour and tapioca starch, but once they try it, they prefer it over traditional donuts.

There was no renovation work required for the space in Sanger, with most of the work consisting of interior design to match their brand.

A major feature in the Fresno location is a mural on the wall depicting sweets, lotus flowers, the Buddha and the smiling face of Nathan.

The new location has a similar mural.

The space features a modern, contemporary style, utilizing both wood and metal elements, with a “ying and yang of balance” Keo said.

A grand opening ceremony is planned for Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.

Keo said they constantly feel the presence of Nathan, which helps them carry on with their business.

“We got to have some type of faith that makes us feel good, and makes us feel positive,” she said.