Potential Clues As To When Florida May Be Getting Its First Location Of Specialty Grocer H Mart

Photo byFacebook Screenshot, H Mart

Although Florida already has plenty of grocers, over the past year, specialty grocers have expanded into the Sunshine State to offer even more variety. I've written about Florida getting RD International Market, Presidente Supermarket, and Euroland, to name just a few examples. In 2021, it was announced that specialty grocer H Mart would open a Florida location in Orlando. But there has been no concrete information as to when that might happen. Now, one of its tenants and permitting may offer some hints about when Floridians might expect the new store.

About H Mart: This company is the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States. Although it prides itself on its Asian offerings, it also offers traditional Western offerings including fresh produce, seafood, and meat, so one can get all of their weekly grocery needs in one place.

H Mart is also well-known for its massive food halls that include a wide variety of offerings ranging from Korean fried chicken, Chinese bao, and Japanese ramen, to name a few examples.

Florida's Upcoming H Mart: Florida's H Mart will take over an old 183,894-square-foot Target Supercenter on West Colonial Drive in Orlando. This is larger than the typical H Mart.

Hints As To When The Store May Open: Although no official opening date has been given, five of seven permits filed for the construction of the store expire in September of 2024 and Paris Baguette, a future tenant of H Mart told the Orlando Business Journal:

"I would hope it would open in the third or fourth quarter of this year, but I really can't guarantee it. It's all based upon H Mart being able to get their stores open. It looks like it would have to be the fourth quarter, but that's not even a guarantee yet. We are finalizing the lease, which typically is a sign that they're moving quickly to get things done."

The author is not affiliated with H Mart or any other grocer.