After much anticipation, H Mart opened its doors at 210 Amsterdam Avenue (between 69th and 70th streets) at 11 a.m. this morning.
Only 30 minutes in, the store was abuzz with customers perusing the neat aisles, while two sets of huge floral displays marked the long-anticipated grand opening. Delivery boxes lined the street as employees continued to stock the store and welcome customers.
Advertisement
H Mart is a popular Korean supermarket chain known for its large selection of Korean food and snacks. Upon entry to the new store, customers are greeted by a fresh produce display with both loose and packaged goods next to an egg and tofu section. Customers can stock up on ingredients to make staple Korean dishes like japchae or beef bulgogi as well as pre-made classics like kimchi, kimbap, and tteokbokki. The store also stocks American name brands alongside Korean items, with a bakery section and an array of frozen foods.
Advertisement
Along with an impressive choice of ramen, rice and dried noodle brands, customers can find prepared vegetables and meats for hot pot in the back of the store.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, H Mart has plenty of frozen desserts, Korean candy and mochi of all flavors. This store doesn’t stop at food–several aisles are dedicated to a variety of Korean beauty and personal care products, household items, cleaning supplies, and cookware.
Founded in Queens in 1982, H Mart now has 80+ locations nationwide. Luckily for us Upper West Siders, we now have two local stores to choose between–this one and the store on 2828 Broadway (and 110th Street). A location on the Upper East Side is also expected to open soon.
Advertisement
After confirmation in March 2023 that the 9,412-square-foot retail space (formerly home to Rite Aid) had been leased to H Mart, ILTUWS received an initial estimated opening date of “late summer” 2024. However, the black and red signage was seen going up in the second week of May, sparking hope of an early opening. That hope fulfilled, H Mart takes their place as the new kid in town, joining the list of West 70s grocery stores with Trader Joe’s, Morton Williams, and Fairway.
Store signage says that temporary business hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
List of stores left out Target and Whole Foods (close enough to “the 70s to be included) not to mention Pioneer over on Columbus, Citarella’s and Zabar’s (again, close enough to the 70s) bringing the total to 9 stores in a 20-block range (60th Street to 80th Street). And we probably shouldn’t forget the potential for #10, namely, the good folks at Wegman’s who have picked up the property that used to Bed, Bath and Beyond but are still studying their options with that location. So that brings us to10 stores where groceries and produce can be purchased within 20 blocks — even for NYC, even for Manhattan, even for the UWS….it’s a tad over-zealous, don’t you think??!!
H-Mart is a highly specialized store. I’m not going there for apples and a can of beans. I used to schlepp to 32nd when that was the only H-Marr location in Manhattan. As a Korean American, I love that I can now buy all my staples without having to go to south midtown and carry heavy bags home.
Love that we’re getting an H-Mart further down the UWS and it makes it so much easier to get these Korean items. But just an aside — I love that in this city we all, regardless of our origins and ethniticity, use words like “schlepp” like second nature. It’s what I love about this melting pot of NYC.
Don’t forget Jubilee at W. 68th and Freedom Place.
When Fairway is charging $7.29 and Morton Williams is charging $6.99 for an 8oz container of Kraft cream cheese I’d say we don’t have enough competition. I’m visiting friends in Houston, and the local supermarket is charging $4.12. I know the cost of doing business is higher in NYC, but that seems excessive to me.
Why is the old Lowes (formerly Food Emporium) still vacant?
NYC needs a vacancy tax on commercial spaces kept empty for YEARS as a tax right off and to artifically constrain supply to raise rents. It’s a cartel which needs breaking up.
Can you explain this tax write off? I hear people complain about it a lot. Obviously if I earn $0 I pay no taxes but I also have no income so it’s not a good strategy. Is there something different that happens with landlords?
I think Wegmans is opening there
they are aiming for the old bed bath and beyond spot across from Lincoln Center.
There is no cartel and there is no tax write-off for having an empty commercial space. In fact the landlord has to pay huge real estate taxes whether the space is vacant or leased. Landlords want to rent spaces but its extremely difficult to do business in NY with a high failure rate due to ever increasing real estate taxes, fees, fines, permits, insurance and on and on.
I love H mart and I am so glad they are in the neighborhood! I hope they expand their footprint in the neighborhood! It’s an amazing store and everything is so clean! I hope they expand their store!!!!