H Mart set to open yet another store in Seattle, this time in the Ballard neighborhood

Seattle, Washington – A long-debated vacancy in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood is on track to become a bustling grocery hub. The well-known Asian grocery chain known for its extensive selection of Korean and international products has filed for a liquor license to occupy the long-empty site formerly occupied by New Seasons Market, H Mart.

Although the official opening date is yet unknown, documentation sent to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board suggests that Ballard residents may soon have another supermarket option alongside Fred Meyer, Trader Joe’s, and Safeway.

From its initial local store in 2017 to other outlets throughout the Puget Sound, H Mart has become a household name for many Seattleites in the past few years. The upcoming Ballard location will join existing H Mart stores in Downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill, South Lake Union, Lynnwood, Bellevue, and beyond.

Local outlets have made several attempts to compile further information, but a clear opening chronology is remains unknown. Still, signs points to a busier retail scene in Ballard soon.

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A new life for the former new seasons space

Originally located on Leary Way in Ballard, the 25,000-square-foot structure was home to a New Seasons shop that closed a year later following an acquisition deal with Seattle’s Metropolitan Market. Since then, the area has been empty for some time as several potential tenants—including Amazon—have reportedly considered a move-in.

CenterCal Properties, a real estate developer based in Southern California, owns the property after buying it from Martin Selig Real Estate for $17 million in 2016. CenterCal also owns other notable local properties, including The Village at Totem Lake and The Trails at Silverdale. Now, with H Mart’s permit application under progress, many are keeping an eye to see whether the well-known Asian supermarket chain might revitalize this area of Ballard’s commercial landscape.

From Korean BBQ basics to well-known snacks like shrimp crackers and turtle chips, H Mart has developed a strong name for providing a fantastic selection of international and hard-to-find culinary items. Although Ballard already has plenty of grocery stores, H Mart’s emphasis on global tastes and fresh fruit could satisfy certain requirements and attract a varied mix of customers hungry for something different.

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Courtesy of H Mart

H Mart’s ongoing expansion in Seattle

Although the Ballard store is not formally confirmed yet, H Mart’s presence in Washington has grown dramatically recently. Offering residents a wide range of Asian-oriented products, ready-to-eat meals, and basic home items, the brand debuted its Seattle site in the University District quietly in 2017. Not too long afterward, other outlets started to show up:

• Downtown Seattle: A convenient urban location catering to commuters, office workers, and city dwellers.
• Capitol Hill: Operating under the name M2M Mart, this branch supplies a concentrated collection of groceries aimed at local apartment dwellers and students.
• South Lake Union: Marketed as District H, this store primarily serves a dense population of tech employees and high-rise residents.
• Lynnwood and Bellevue: Suburban areas where H Mart has established larger footprints to serve broader demographics, including families and weekend shoppers.

H Mart has been progressively opening new stores throughout North America in line with its larger growth initiatives. Documents and reports from media indicate that the corporation has lately expanded into states including Massachusetts and Illinois.

Despite this rapid growth, H Mart has remained true to its signature approach—blending familiar Western staples with an extensive selection of Asian ingredients, making it a go-to destination for a diverse range of shoppers.

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“One Arm Full of Groceries”: The H Mart legacy

H Mart’s roots trace back to 1982 in Queens, New York, where its founder and current CEO, Il Yeon Kwon, launched a small corner store with a singular mission: to provide fresh, high-quality Asian groceries to immigrant communities. Explaining the supermarket’s distinctive name, he once noted:

“The ‘H’ in the name stands for the Korean ‘han ah reum,’ or ‘one arm full of groceries.’”

Beginning with that first store, H Mart has expanded to become what many believe to be the biggest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, currently with about 100 stores nationwide. Although Korean products still take front stage, H Mart is a rare one-stop shop for many different kinds of multicultural homes since its shelves are filled with goods across Asia, including Japan, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

The growth of the chain is a cultural phenomenon as well as an entrepreneurial achievement. H Mart has grown into a gastronomic destination over the years. Although it is still a mainstay for Asians and Asian Americans looking for foods that link them to their origin, it has also become a go-to destination for adventurous home cooks from all backgrounds seeking to try new global flavors.

Major newspapers as The New York Times and The New Yorker have even taken notice of this unusual cultural impact, stressing H Mart’s capacity to link the more general cultural scene with niche food shopping.

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Credit: Reddit

Community commitments and philanthropy

H Mart also distinguishes itself with a great record of philanthropy. On its official website, the grocery company emphasizes “a longstanding commitment” to humanitarian activities ranging from financing scholarships to supporting nonprofit groups.

H Mart has helped a great range of charities over the years, including local police departments, museums, Korean American associations, and even the American Red Cross. This commitment to returning back to the community reflects the larger goal of the business—investing in the areas where it conducts business, therefore promoting goodwill and strengthening customer loyalty.

Although H Mart has not yet revealed any particular philanthropic plans for the Ballard area of Seattle, its past indicates to such projects presumably following. If so, this community-driven strategy could help to differentiate the Ballard store from its rivals—especially in an area renowned for great local pride and civic involvement.

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Liquor license application sparks excitement

News that H Mart filed a liquor license application on February 21 was first confirmed by representatives at the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. The application indicates that, in addition to groceries, the Ballard site may have a range of beer, wine, and spirits to be sold along with the well-known Asian culinary products.

However, as The Seattle Times has reported:

“H Mart was unavailable for comment Monday and applicants listed for the new liquor license could not be reached by phone.”

The precise store layout and opening schedule are yet unknown, which allows plenty of speculation. Many, however, expect the Ballard site to adhere to H Mart’s tried-and-true model: a strong fruit area, specialized aisles filled with essential Asian foods, a separate meat and seafood counter, and a range of ready-to-eat meals including kimchi, banchan, and other Korean delights.

Looking ahead

Although the grocery industry in Seattle can be competitive, H Mart’s entrance in Ballard will definitely offer something different. For locals, it gives simpler access to a wide range of specialist goods hardly available in regular supermarkets. The Ballard expansion signifies another step in H Mart’s expanding dedication to the Puget Sound area, therefore supporting a trajectory of growth free from any slowing down.

Although the formal opening date is yet unknown, Seattle and the Ballard community will be closely following the events regarding the opening of the store. Once the doors open, H Mart has the ability to bring a new perspective to the local gastronomic scene by linking cultures via cuisine and so establishing its position as pillar of Asian American life.

Whether you’re a curious shopper looking to try melon-flavored ice cream bars or an expert cook looking for genuine sauces and spices, the new H Mart might soon become an exciting mirror of Seattle’s always changing gastronomic scene.