News Summary
Westminster has welcomed California’s largest H Mart, covering 72,916 square feet and featuring an impressive 11-restaurant food court. Located at the Pavilions Place shopping center, this new grocery store marks H Mart’s 85th outlet in the U.S. and aims to offer diverse Asian cuisines along with a wide array of grocery items. While promotions draw in shoppers, the store adapts to market challenges with Asian suppliers. It seeks to provide a unique shopping experience in a competitive grocery landscape.
Westminster Sees the Grand Opening of California’s Largest H Mart
Westminster, CA – Thrilled shoppers lined up around the block at the Pavilions Place shopping center on Thursday morning as H Mart inaugurated its largest grocery store in California. This new location also marks the supermarket chain’s 85th outlet in the United States.
The expansive store covers a total of 72,916 square feet and was developed from a former Vons Pavilions site located on Beach Boulevard. Positioned in a shopping area surrounded by Huntington Beach, the H Mart store is conveniently situated just half a mile away from the Bella Terra shopping center.
A Culinary Experience Awaits
This new H Mart not only serves as a grocery store but also features an impressive 11-restaurant food court adjacent to the supermarket. The diverse food court offers a wide assortment of Asian cuisines, including Japanese katsu, Korean dumplings, fried chicken hot dogs, egg toast, boba tea, and baked goods from Tous Les Jours bakery.
During the opening festivities, customers capitalized on special promotions that showcased popular items, including hotpots, cooked rice, prickly durian, jackfruit, kimchi, and a selection of seafood. Shoppers had the unique experience of taking selfies with a giant tuna in the seafood department, while staff members managed live lobsters and king crabs.
A Unique Grocery Shopping Experience
The interior of the store is filled with a rich variety of groceries ranging from housewares and wellness items to sauces, noodles, snacks, and a selection of rice brands. The store features fresh fish, some of which are live, along with meat, dairy products, and freshly sourced produce. Refrigerated cases packed with kimchi line the aisles where shoppers can also sample noodles, desserts, and dumplings, enhancing the in-store experience.
Retail analyst Craig Rosenblum noted the evolving grocery landscape, where stores are leaning towards providing unique experiences to differentiate themselves from competitors. He mentioned that shoppers typically visit an average of six to seven different stores to fulfill all of their grocery needs.
Managing Challenges with Suppliers
In the wake of new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, H Mart is actively engaging with Asian suppliers to manage pricing and ensure competitive offerings in the market. As the grocery landscape tightens with increased competition, H Mart is faced with significant rivals, including Gardena-based Tokyo Market and 99 Ranch Market, the latter of which recently expanded its reach within Orange County. Additionally, T&T Supermarket plans to unveil two locations in Southern California next year.
About H Mart
The name “H Mart” stems from the Korean phrase “han ah reum,” translating to “one armful of groceries.” Since its inception, H Mart has emphasized a commitment to quality, variety, and pricing, positioning itself to cater to the grocery needs of an increasingly diverse customer base.
Residents in Westminster and surrounding areas can visit the new H Mart at 16450 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA, to explore the extensive product offerings and enjoy culinary delights from the extensive food court.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Status Update on H Mart Opening
- Wikipedia: H Mart
- OC Register: H Mart Opens Largest Grocery Store
- Google Search: H Mart Westminster
- Korea Times: H Mart News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grocery Stores
- Patch: Specialty Food Market Opens
- Google News: H Mart California
- Grocery Dive: H Mart Expands to Florida
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.
