H Mart’s Newest Irvine Location Opens With Lines Around the Block
IRVINE, Calif.—Hundreds of shoppers lined up to be among the first at H Mart’s newest location in Northpark Plaza.
“We are excited to have an [H Mart] in the neighborhood now,” Irvine resident John Kim told The Epoch Times. “They have a lot of items other stores do not have.”
Situated in the location of a former Albertsons, H Mart’s Northpark location marks the company’s third store in Irvine.
As the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, the large crowd did not come as a shock to store staff who were helping keep things organized.
“The line started forming around 9 a.m. and ever since then it has been growing,” a security guard in his early twenties told The Epoch Times. “It started wrapping around the property only about an hour later.”
Customers making it through the entryway of the 53,000-square-foot store started their shopping experience in the fresh produce section, before making their way to the seafood area containing isles of both Asian and western food.
In the dairy section, shoppers for eggs were reminded with a sign posted to the glass display that there was a purchase limit of two cartons per customer due to current issues with the nation’s supply chain.
“So far, it’s actually been a pretty mellow first day out here,” one of the grocery store’s parking attendants told The Epoch Times. “Hey, I’ll take mellow any day.”
As part of its grand opening, H Mart offered its customers’ gift giveaways for purchases made over $30 that included melamine trays, rubber gloves, plastic double baskets, and bamboo chopsticks.
In the mega food hall area, H Mart customers have the opportunity to take on a fresh meal during their shopping experience where one can purchase Korean dumplings, soups, and street food along with TOUS les JOURS Bakery which offers fresh bread, sandwiches, and desserts.
First starting in 1982 in Queens, New York, the grocery chain has grown to over 97 stores across the nation, with 16 locations in California and five in Orange County.
John Fredricks is a California-based journalist for The Epoch Times. His reportage and photojournalism features have been published in a variety of award-winning publications around the world.
