A FAMOUS Korean supermarket has officially taken over the former location of a Target store on Wednesday.
The opening marks the third location breaking ground this year for the “secret” rival to warehouse giants like Costco.
Target is getting replaced by a famous Korean supermarket in California (stock image)[/caption]
Mega Mart is becoming more and more popular among consumers with its authentic Korean groceries and fresh produce.
It also offers K-beauty essentials and Basquia Bakery that serves specialty cakes, rice breads, sulpang, and more.
There’s even a deli in-store that serves Korean street food.
The store opening on September 24 stands at 50,000 square feet for shoppers in East Palo Alto, California, about 18 miles northwest of downtown San Jose.
TARGET TURMOIL
Mega Mart is replacing a Target that closed in 2024, which had a CVS within it.
The loss of the Target was a hit to the local community.
Palo Alto Commissioner Robert Sherrard said in a statement that there were several problems plaguing the retail giant’s store.
“With respect to Target and Target leaving Easy Palo Alto, there were issues with loss prevention but apparently those were not the only issues,” Sherrard explained.
“Target was looking for a way to get out, period — not just exiting this market but several markets.”
Mega Mart will open in its stead starting at 8am daily on September 25, following Wednesday’s grand opening ceremony at 9:30 am PST.
“We are preparing to offer a wide range of products that customers want, including Korean direct-imported goods, deli foods, and Korean beauty products,” a spokesperson told CW affiliate KRON4.
The East Palo Alto location for Mega Mart is also now the biggest compared to two others in Sunnyvale and Fremont.
At least two more Mega Mart stores are also set to open sometime this year in Dublin and Miranda.
There was also an opening earlier in March for Mega Mart in Daly City, California, about 18 minutes southwest of San Francisco.
Mega Mart Locations
- East Palo Alto, CA
- Sunnyvale, CA
- Freemont, CA
- Daily City, CA
- Atlanta, GA
- Dublin, CA (future)
- Miranda, CA (future)
WAREHOUSE TAKEOVER
Amid the competition from Mega Mart and increases in memberships, Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club are accelerating openings in the coming years.
Sam’s Club has pledged to bring at least 15 new locations to customers on a yearly basis and is continuing to renovate at least 600 of its current stores.
BJ’s is also bringing 25 to 30 new clubs to Americans by the end of 2027.
Costco has even committed to 30 new openings yearly, with CEO Ron Vachris citing at least 27 would be operational by the end of 2025.
Four new locations opened just last month across Florida, Nevada, and Texas, and another three are opening by October 31 in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.
Vachris said Costco is eyeing a global store count of 914 by the time December ends.
Each warehouse retail giant has seen stocks spike in the past five years along with membership count, per CNBC.
Costco also recently faced some backlash over a “pricey” new food court item with a twist.
Sam’s Club has rolled out at least 10 changes this year for customers.
