T&T Supermarkets’ model new Bellevue retailer is able to shine.
T&T Supermarkets, now open in The Market at Factoria.
Grocery retailer nerds and passionate buyers within the Seattle space had an thrilling week, with two main grocery shops shifting into new territory. On the Eastside, Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain T&T Grocery store, follows fellow traditional Vancouver model Solar Sui Wah in opening its first US location in Bellevue. The big 76,000-square-foot retailer in The Market at Factoria opened right now. Yesterday, native chain Saars Tremendous Saver Meals expanded its attain from the southern suburbs, bringing its price range costs and broad choice to the previous HT Market (and, for these with lengthy reminiscences, Larry’s) location at Oak Tree Village on Aurora.
T&T already has greater than 35 places throughout Canada and a robust repute for cool stuff past the fundamentals. Consider the much-coveted Korean and Japanese magnificence, fancy fruit containers, and all of the premium Asian spirits they’ll carry to this facet of the border. The shop could have a self-serve scorching bar, made-to-order avenue meals, and its personal bakery. It would additionally, in all probability, have very lengthy strains and massive crowds because it opens amid what’s already the trade’s busiest season. (I’ll be the one ready on the jianbing stand, shoveling egg tarts in my mouth whereas I watch for my Chinese language crepe and ponder which collagen masks will give me that cup pores and skin.)
Seize-and-go and made-in-house Asian treats are a part of T&T’s draw.
Whereas the well-traveled may already be conversant in T&T, locals usually tend to know Saars Tremendous Saver Meals, which has seven shops across the area, from Tacoma to Oak Harbor. However it barely creeps into Seattle—its northernmost retailer on the mainland is White Heart. In a metropolis with a number of grocery chains recognized for the way costly they’re, Saars’ reasonably priced costs are an thrilling improvement. In addition they carry much-needed range to the grocery recreation, with huge Hispanic, Center Japanese, and Asian meals choices. Want a complete animal for a weekend barbecue? They’ve obtained your goat (and lamb).
T&T’s home bakery brings shade to the pastry case.
On barely much less thrilling notes, at the very least for individuals outdoors the quick neighborhood, final month additionally introduced Queen Anne its new Safeway, two and a half years after the outdated one closed, and Eastlake a location of native upscale gourmand store Kitchen & Market.
Evidently grocers are realizing how hungry the town is for extra choices. Eastside South Asian specialist Mayuri hoped to get its South Lake Union retailer open by the tip of this 12 months, although it appears delayed, and the shop additionally introduced a return to Issaquah. In 2025, Greenwood, already amid an epic glow-up, will get a Dealer Joe’s within the former Safeway location. PCC plans to open its new, smaller-format retailer downtown towards the tip of the 12 months, and T&T introduced they’ll open a second US spot in Lynnwood.
