H Mart, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, opened a new location in Westminster, Orange County, on August 7.
Located at 16450 Beach Blvd., the store spans 72,916 square feet — roughly the size of a soccer field — making it the largest H Mart in California. This Westminster branch is H Mart’s 85th store nationwide, its 19th in California, and sixth in Orange County. The company aims to position the location as Southern California’s largest Asian supermarket hub, expanding its reach among multicultural consumers.
The city of Westminster, home to large Vietnamese and Chinese populations and close to Korean residential areas, offers a stable consumer base. Stocked with premium groceries and household goods from Korea, China, Vietnam, India, and other Asian communities, the store is positioned as a “premium Asian market.” This grand opening also marked a symbolic leadership transition, with CEO Brian Kwon — son of founder Il Yeon Kwon — leading the ceremony, signaling the start of H Mart’s second-generation management era.
Local dignitaries, including California Assemblyman Tri Ta, Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, Westminster Chamber of Commerce President Francis Rios, and Orange County Korean American Federation President James Bong Cho, attended the opening celebration.
Kwon expressed gratitude to employees, city officials, and community leaders, noting especially the strong support from Assemblyman Tri Ta. Mayor Nguyen praised H Mart’s role in creating local jobs and boosting the economy, calling it “more than just a grocery store.”
A One-Stop Asian Lifestyle Hub
The store is located within the Pavilions Place Mall, alongside retailers like Daiso, Target, Starbucks, and Bath & Body Works. Designed as more than a supermarket, the location features a large food court to the left of the entrance and an “Artbox” shop and arcade area near the checkout counters, targeting families, younger shoppers, and K-culture enthusiasts.
H Mart has placed particular emphasis on fresh produce and seafood, offering a wider selection than many competitors. The aisles are spacious enough for two carts to pass even when refrigerator and freezer doors are open, enhancing shopping convenience.
The food court houses 11 popular brands, including Moobongri Sundae Express, Baek Jong Won’s Hong Kong Banjeom 0410, Jaws Tteokbokki, Youcine, Goobne Chicken, Eggcellent, Myungrang Hot Dog, Changhwadang, KZ Mori, Tous Les Jours, and Gong Cha.
On opening day, hundreds of shoppers lined up early in the morning, and by the time doors opened at 10 a.m., carts were in short supply. H Mart’s 40th anniversary limited-edition Haidilao hot pot set, offered at a special price of $20.99, sold out almost immediately.
To mark the launch, H Mart offered promotional deals, including select items for $1 with purchases over $200, and free shopping bags for customers who signed up for or updated their rewards card information.
The company is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy nationwide, with upcoming openings planned for Dublin, California; Sugar Land and Haltom, Texas; and Orlando, Florida. “We aim to evolve beyond food shopping into a cultural destination combining dining, entertainment, and leisure, creating an Asian lifestyle platform for families to enjoy,” H Mart said in a statement.
BY EUNYOUNG LEE [lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com]
