After months of anticipation—and nearly two years of delays—H Mart has officially opened its doors in Victoria, and the excitement was palpable.
Hundreds of people began lining up as early as 7 a.m. on Thursday, May 22nd, eager to be among the first inside the popular Korean and Asian grocery chain’s new home at Mayfair Shopping Centre.
By 9 a.m., a sea of customers had gathered for the grand opening, complete with balloons, flowers, and staff handing out free samples and flyers.
A traditional lion dance kicked off the celebrations, drawing cheers from the crowd and symbolizing good luck and fortune for the store’s future.
Representatives from H Mart, Mayfair, and its parent company Central Walk were in attendance, helping mark the special occasion.
The first 500 customers received a $5 gift card as part of the festivities.
Massive lineup for H Mart grand opening, stretching throughout the mall
byu/dayoldeggos inVictoriaBC
H Mart now occupies the space previously held by Toys R Us, a transformation that required extensive renovations to install the proper refrigeration and freezer systems. The store was originally slated to open in late 2023, but construction delays pushed the launch well into 2025.
Despite the setbacks, the finished product appears to have been worth the wait.
The new Victoria location boasts a wide array of fresh groceries, prepared foods, and imported goods, with approximately 50% of the inventory made up of Korean products.
Shoppers can also find Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and a small selection of Western foods.
The store features specialty sections for meat, seafood, cosmetics, and baked goods, including an in-house Tous Les Jours French-Asian bakery.
The opening celebrations will continue until May 25th, with cultural performances including a K-pop dance group and a Taekwondo demonstration.
