News Summary
Westminster, California, is set to celebrate the opening of a new H Mart supermarket and food hall on August 7. This 70,000 square-foot location will replace a former Vons and feature 11 diverse restaurants. Aiming to enhance local grocery offerings, the H Mart represents a shift towards experiential shopping. The grand opening will include various culinary options, showcasing the neighborhood’s rich cultural diversity and evolving retail landscape, marking an exciting milestone for the community.
Westminster Welcomes New H Mart Location
Westminster, California, is set to celebrate the grand opening of a new H Mart supermarket and food hall on Thursday, August 7. This new location spans 70,000 square feet and will replace a former Vons Pavilion at the Pavilions Place shopping center, situated on Beach Boulevard. With this significant addition, Westminster aims to enhance its grocery offerings and cater to a diverse clientele.
Austere Space Transformed into Dining and Shopping Experience
The H Mart will stand out for its 11 restaurants within the food hall, offering a range of culinary options that reflect the growing interest in experiential shopping, especially among younger consumers. This trend has shown a marked growth in Southern California, particularly among Hispanic and Asian communities that frequently seek unique shopping experiences. The concept of combining a supermarket with a food hall, such as the model seen at Mercado González in Costa Mesa, has gained popularity.
Retail Landscape is Rapidly Evolving
According to retail analysts, the rise of larger brick-and-mortar stores is crucial in today’s competitive market. Consumers now typically visit six to seven different stores to meet their grocery requirements, indicating a shift in shopping behavior that demands more from grocery retailers. The H Mart’s larger space offers the potential for a variety of products, including traditional grocery items and specialized international foods.
Historical Context of Grocery Shopping in Westminster
Westminster boasts a rich grocery heritage, being home to the first 99 Ranch Market, a significant retailer known as the largest Asian supermarket chain in the U.S. The city is also part of Little Saigon alongside Garden Grove, making it a culturally diverse location for grocery and dining options. The new H Mart, with its expansive size compared to the average supermarket of about 40,000 square feet, aims to serve as a central hub for residents.
Product Offerings and Food Hall Highlights
H Mart will stock a wide range of items, including fresh produce, meat, fish, pantry staples, and specialty Korean products like kimchi, ramen, and goraebab (crispy seasoned snacks). The food hall will feature renowned eateries such as:
- 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
Grand Opening Celebration
The grand opening festivities for H Mart will commence at 10 a.m. on August 7, at 16450 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683. Local residents and visitors are encouraged to come and experience the new supermarket and its diverse food offerings.
Additional Developments in the Area
In conjunction with the new H Mart opening, MoonGoat Coffee Roasters will also unveil its fifth and largest location on August 6, at Pacific Arts Plaza in Costa Mesa. This establishment will offer a variety of coffee and food options, adding to the rich culinary tapestry of the region.
Furthermore, Orange Coast College has launched the OCC Artist Promise program, which provides $1,000 scholarships to 200 incoming Visual and Performing Arts students, presenting further educational opportunities in the area.
As Westminster continues to evolve with new businesses and community programs, the opening of H Mart marks a significant milestone and an exciting addition to the local landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- OC Register
- Wikipedia: H Mart
- Grocery Dive
- Google Search: H Mart
- 5280 Magazine
- Google Scholar: H Mart supermarket
- The Sun
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grocery Stores
- Gazette
- Google News: H Mart
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, 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 OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
