News Summary
H Mart is set to open a massive 70,000-square-foot supermarket and food hall in Westminster, replacing a Vons Pavilion. The new location features 11 restaurants catering to diverse communities and aims to attract younger shoppers. The grand opening is scheduled for August 7, highlighting a trend towards larger grocery retail spaces in response to consumer demands. This opening reflects Westminster’s rich grocery retail history and ongoing community developments, including new coffee shops and housing projects aimed at supporting the local population.
Westminster, CA
H Mart, a well-known Korean grocery store chain, is set to open a 70,000-square-foot supermarket and food hall in Westminster on Thursday, August 7. This new location will take the place of a recently closed Vons Pavilion at the Pavilions Place shopping center on Beach Boulevard.
The new H Mart highlights a significant trend in grocery retail, with its expansive size being much larger than the typical grocery store, which averages around 40,000 square feet. For comparison, the recently opened Tokyo Central supermarket measures only 17,000 square feet, while larger retailers such as Costco and Walmart Supercenters range from 145,000 to 160,000 square feet.
In addition to its diverse range of grocery items, the H Mart will feature 11 restaurants within its food hall, catering primarily to younger shoppers as well as the local Hispanic and Asian communities. The food hall is gaining traction in Southern California as a social dining concept. Some notable restaurants include:
- Goobne: Korean Oven Roasted Chicken
- Myungrang: Korean Corn Dogs
- Yoo’s Place: Korean cuisine
- Moobongri: Soondae Express
- KZ Mori: Japanese katsu
- Eggcellent: Specialty egg toast
- JAWS Topokki: Korean street food
- Gong Cha: Bubble tea
- Chang Hwa Dang: Korean dumplings
- Tous Les Jours: French-Asian bakery
- Paik’s Noodles: Korean/Chinese cuisine
The grand opening festivities will begin at 10 a.m. on August 7 at 16450 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683. Shoppers can anticipate a variety of products, including produce, meat, fish, and pantry goods, along with unique Korean specialties such as kimchi, ramen, and goraebab (crispy snacks).
Retail expert Craig Rosenblum noted a revival in larger physical stores as retailers strive to stand out in a market dominated by e-commerce. This trend comes amid growing consumer demands, particularly among Asian shoppers. Local analysts point out the increasing demand mirrors the success of Hispanic grocers like Northgate Market. Currently, averages show shoppers visit between six to seven different stores to meet their grocery needs.
Westminster’s Grocery Retail History
The Westminster area has a rich lineage of Asian grocery retailers, previously home to 99 Ranch Market, which was the first of its kind and opened in 1984. The new H Mart is expected to continue this tradition while addressing the contemporary preferences of local residents.
Broader Community Developments
Alongside the H Mart opening, several other developments are taking place in the local area. For example, MoonGoat Coffee Roasters is launching its fifth and largest location in Costa Mesa’s arts district on August 6. This new café will not only serve coffee but also offer a breakfast and lunch menu, with a patio that opens to the Noguchi Gardens.
In addition, a new program at Orange Coast College, known as OCC Artist Promise, is aimed at providing $1,000 scholarships to 200 students entering Visual and Performing Arts programs, supported by a significant $9.44 million endowment.
Lastly, the new Miraflores Apartments in Anaheim are celebrating their grand opening, which will provide 86 affordable housing units targeted for working families and individuals, including those in need of supportive housing.
The opening of H Mart in Westminster marks a notable shift in the grocery shopping experience, spotlighting the area’s diverse demographics and evolving consumer preferences.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: H Mart Opening Mega Supermarket Food Hall
- Wikipedia: Grocery Store
- Grocery Dive: H Mart Readies Florida Debut
- Google Search: H Mart
- Denver Post: Sorry Umma Hot Pot Opens
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grocery
- Gazette: New Hotels, Stores and Attractions Updates
- Google News: Westminster CA H Mart
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
