H Mart, the nation’s largest Asian supermarket chain, will celebrate the Jan. 16 grand opening of its long-awaited Urbana location with a Lion Dance, giveaways, a ribbon cutting, and more.
The festivities will start at 9:50 a.m. with the ribbon cutting, followed by the opening at 10 a.m. to the public. A Korean dance will take place at 10, followed by the Lion Dance at 10:10 a.m.
The 32,000-square-foot store is located at 220 N. Broadway Ave. in downtown Urbana. H Mart is best known for its vast selection of produce, seafood, meats, in addition to prepared foods, packaged goods and housewares — all with an Asian flavor and flair.
Urbana’s H Mart will include its signature food court, featuring Jaws TPK, Korean street food; Paik’s Noodle, Korean-Chinese food; Cho Dang, Korean barbecue; and Paris Baguette, a popular bakery.
“The City of Urbana is proud to join the H Mart family of 82 stores in 14 states! Our diverse community is excited to shop the full line of Asian and American groceries, meats, seafood, produce, housewares and ready-made meals,” said Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin. “This major investment will bring added vitality to downtown Urbana along with an exciting new supermarket and food hall.
“We appreciate H Mart’s renovation and re-use of an existing store, their commitment to be an active part of the community, and the new job opportunities this store will bring.”
The store will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. All H Mart stores are open 365 days a year.
The Urbana location will be the sixth in Illinois, and the first outside of Chicagoland for the popular Asian grocery chain. New Jersey-based H Mart has previously focused its locations in major metropolitan areas.
“H Mart is excited to bring an authentic taste of Asia to your neighborhood, and we hope our customers share in our enthusiasm,” said H Mart president Brian Kwon in a news release. “Our market is all about celebrating the richness and variety Asian cuisine, making it easier than ever to find the flavors you love, right here at home.”
Giveaways at the grand opening event include gifts with purchase (get a free gift of your choice based on how much you spend, over $50) as well as a free reusable shopping bag with purchases over $30 (all gifts available while supplies last).
New members of the H Mart Smart Rewards Card loyalty membership program, as well as current members with a valid email address will get a free thermos mug cup and a 2025 H Mart calendar.
H Mart has had its sights set on a Champaign-Urbana location for almost a decade. The project has been in motion since early 2023, when the City of Urbana announced that H Mart would transform the former Save-A-Lot grocery building. Progress accelerated in January 2024, and the grand opening was announced in November.
For more information about events, special promotions, and sales, visit H Mart’s website or follow on KakaoTalk (ID: H Mart IL), WeChat (ID: hmartofficial), LINE (ID: 906tfvua), and Facebook and Instagram (@hmartofficial).