(Saman Tsang/Unsplash)
By Sri Ravipati
(SAN FRANCISCO) The popular Korean grocery store chain H Mart announced Monday it is hiring for its outpost in the Oceanview Village Shopping Center, signaling it might open soon after years of delay.
H Mart is known for its variety of Asian food staples, as well as ready-to-cook and prepared foods that lean Korean. The New Jersey-based company has over 70 store locations nationwide, including two in San Jose.
The first location of H Mart was originally called Han Ah Reum, which translates to “an armful of groceries.” The store opened in New York City in 1982, in the Queens neighborhood of Woodside, Hoodline reported.
San Francisco's first location at 3995 Alemany Blvd. has been in development since 2018. The previous tenant closed in 2013, leaving the 42,000-square-foot space empty. Mayor London Breed and the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development said the store was a win for more than 20,000 residents in the area.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported H Mart wanted to spend $8.5 million to renovate the Oceanview space before opening.
The grocer at one point said it would open in November 2019, but in February 2020 revealed delays. When pressed by Eater SF, H Mart said it is "in preparation for the new store, but yet to have a tentative opening date at this time.”