Justin Raye

Young, exotic, with an eye for business, the International Grocery's Justin Raye, almost 20, is well-stocked with good looks, charm and a desire for some sweet, sweet romance. Find out why everybody calls him Paducah's own Asian Sensation!

Justin Raye, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it. Look how darling you are! Tell us how you got to be so exotic looking.
I'm half Filipino and half white. My mother is from the Philippines. My dad met her when he was in the Navy. He is actually a 100 percent, full-blooded redneck. Mix the two together and you get this thing.

Filipino and redneck? This "thing" is definitely working! You're darling! Was it tough growing up and being so totally cute?
I didn't feel cute! It was weird. In middle school, I pretty much shunned myself away. I felt really different and awkward. But by high school, I'd blossomed more and developed a sense of humor. Everyone called me the Asian Sensation.

I can see why! That totally fits! Where did you go to high school?
I went to Reidland. Remember the porn star teacher?

Who could forget that?
She taught me physics and biology.

Hah! You must have gotten some kind of education!
It was insane.

Tell us about the International Grocery. How did you get started with that?
My mom loves to cook Asian food, and she and my dad got tired of driving to the international grocery in Carbondale. So they opened their own last October.

At 620 Martin Luther King Dr.
Right. My dad watches the store on the weekends and takes care of the financial end. I work in the store during the week, do all the ordering and advertising and work with customers to make sure we're carrying what people want.

When we started, we just had Filipino food like rice and spring roll wrappers. But then the next time we ordered, we included a lot of things people asked for.

So you take requests?
Absolutely. You can bring in labels or boxes and we'll get them in.

How's the business going?
It's great. Soon after we opened, Adam Shull wrote a big Paducah Sun story, which helped.

I remember! With that gorgeous photo of you!
Oh yeah, all the women came in looking for me.

No doubt! They were wantin' a big ol' box of Asian Sensation! You all share the building, right?
Yes, the Concession Stand is in the same building. So you can get snack foods, hot dogs, nachos, chili — things like that there, and we have the grocery side.

You also work at Etcetera.
On Saturday mornings and on Sundays.

What's your favorite Etcetera drink?
In the summer, it's the Iced Yerba with vanilla. In the winter, definitely hot chai. Or just a good old-fashioned cup of coffee.

Photo by Bill Fox

Justin, I couldn't help but notice how handsome you looked at the Maiden Alley Oscars party. And your date! Gorgeous! Come on, spill it! Who is she?
That was my friend Callie. We've been hanging out for a few months, but she lives out in Murray. She's too busy with her stuff and I'm too busy with my stuff.

Huh? Too busy with stuff?
Well, I go to school here in Paducah and she goes to Murray. We get to see each other rarely on certain weekends. But it’s not really like that. We’re just friends.

Hum. Well, you had flowers for her and everything! Tell us what kind of gal you're looking for.
Right now, I'm looking for a down-to-earth, funny gal. A sense of humor is incredibly important to me. I like a girl who likes to crack up and have fun with life basically. Also one who doesn't mind romance. When it comes to romance, I'm a bit of a traditionalist.

Doesn't mind romance? Who on God's green earth wouldn't love a little romance, especially with you, fine young Justin?
I’ve met a couple gals that, for some unknown reason, don’t handle me paying for things very well. Or they don’t want to do anything. I mean, I like spending nights alone watching movies sometimes, but come on!

It can be challenging for me around here, probably because I'm just too picky! Lately it seems I'm meeting nice girls, but they live too far away or they already have a boyfriend! Which is a total drag!

Well, if there's anyone who could charm someone to move closer and ditch their boyfriends, it's you! What's your idea of a great date?
To me, a great date would definitely be an all-day date preferably in spring or summer — which are coming up by the way.

I'd like to start off by heading to one of my favorite places on earth, Garden of The Gods. I've always wanted to have a nice picnic out there. I love hiking through the trails and the scenery is just mind-blowing.

Then come back to Paducah and enjoy a nice dinner at one of the fine restaurants downtown, maybe a movie or a walk downtown. I'm sort of like an "old-fashioned" young-un!

Ain't nothing wrong with that! What do you like to do when you're not working?
One of my favorite hobbies that I've picked up in the last few months is billiards. I love shooting pool at Side Pockets, and relaxing and enjoying the environment.

I really love the GPS Recycle Now program. I think it's a fantastic idea and a great cause. I really wish more people would take part in it.

Well, if they knew the Asian Sensation would be volunteering at the recycling center, I guarantee more people would take part in it!
Hah! Great idea. Maybe I'll just do that.

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