H Mart’s Newest Irvine Location Opens With Lines Around the Block

H Mart opens a new location in Irvine, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

IRVINE, Calif.—Hundreds of shoppers lined up to be among the first at H Mart’s newest location in Northpark Plaza on Jan. 11.

“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.”

H Mart opens a new location in Irvine, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

The new store, located in a former Albertsons, marks the company’s third in Irvine.

As it’s the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, the large crowd did not come as a shock to store staff.

“The line started forming around 9 a.m. and ever since then it has been growing,” a security guard in his early 20s told The Epoch Times. “It started wrapping around the property only about an hour later.”

Hundreds of shoppers line up at H Mart's newest location in Irvine, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Customers making it through the entryway of the 53,000-square-foot store started their shopping experience in the fresh produce section, before moving on to the seafood area of isles of both Asian and western food.

In the dairy section, shoppers for eggs were reminded with a sign posted to a glass display that there was a purchase limit of two cartons per customer due to inflation and supply chain issues exacerbated by avian flu.

A sign for egg purchase limits sits on display at a H Mart in Irvine, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

“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 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, customers have the opportunity to take on a fresh meal including Korean dumplings, soups, and street food along with fresh bread, sandwiches, and desserts from TOUS les JOURS Bakery.

Founded 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.