Asian Grocery Leader T&T Makes Southern California Move
T&T Supermarket, the Canadian retail giant will open a 34,000-square-foot store in Irvine's Great Park community in winter 2026.
This marks the next step in T&T's U.S. expansion, following its first American store that opened in Bellevue, Washington in December 2024. The company already has additional locations planned for Lynnwood, Washington, San Francisco, and San Jose.
The new Irvine store will be located at The Canopy at Great Park, near the future 133 Freeway interchange and the Great Park Sports Complex, which sees over 8 million visitors each year. The location will create about 180 jobs for local residents.
"Ever since we announced our U.S. entry, we have been getting customer requests all across the United States. It should be no surprise to anyone that Irvine takes a top spot on the wish list, and the first store we are announcing in Southern California," said Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarkets.
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The store will feature T&T's signature offerings, including a self-serve hot food bar with authentic Asian dishes like Peking Duck and Crispy Papa Chicken, a sushi counter, and made-to-order street food such as Chinese crepes and Taiwanese rice rolls.
Shoppers can also look forward to an in-store bakery with over 150 varieties of fresh bread and more than 50 types of desserts, including viral treats like Napoleon Portuguese Egg Tarts and Lava Mochi Puffs.
"I know T&T may not be well-known in Irvine, but we are excited to surprise our shoppers with a unique shopping experience," Lee added. "We're especially proud of our in-store bakery and kitchen – for the 8 million annual visitors to the sports park nearby, T&T would be a great place to grab a meal."
The Great Park development offers an ideal setting for T&T's Southern California debut. "The Great Park community has long awaited a retail and dining hub that not only serves their needs but also enhances their everyday lifestyle," said Dan Almquist, CEO of Almquist, the real estate developer behind The Canopy.
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While waiting for the store opening, California residents can already shop online through the T&T app and website, though the selection is currently limited to dried goods like snacks and Asian beauty products.
T&T Supermarket, owned by The Loblaw Companies, currently operates over 38 locations across North America, with all but one in Canada. Founded in 1993, the retailer has become the largest Asian grocery chain in Canada.