Canada's largest Asian grocer is betting big on SF

Driving the news: T&T plans to open a new store at San Francisco City Center (2675 Geary Blvd.) in winter 2026.

• It will mark the chain's fourth U.S. location and second Bay Area store after Westgate Center in San José, which is projected to launch in the fall.
• Its first U.S. store opened in Bellevue, Washington last year. A second one is planned for Lynwood, Washington this summer.

Zoom in: The store will offer a wide variety of food options and services, ranging from T&T Private Label products like soup dumplings and Korean kalbi marinade to fast casual restaurant offerings and pastries at its bakery.

• There will also be an extensive selection of wines and spirits, with a special focus on Korean soju and Japanese sake.

What they're saying: "The city offers a unique and eclectic food scene, and the neighborhood we've chosen is a vibrant retail hub," Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarkets, said in a press release. "San Francisco is on the rise, and we're excited to be part of its next chapter."

The big picture: T&T was founded by Cindy Lee, a Taiwanese immigrant to Canada, who opened her first store in 1993.

• It now operates 33 in the North America country.

What to watch: Several Asian grocers are opening locations in the Bay Area.

• That includes the Korean food complex Jagalchi that just launched in Daly City, as well as the upcoming Hashi Market in Cupertino, Tokyo Central in Emeryville and H Mart and Mega Mart in Dublin.