The new store marks the company’s 39th location across North America and follows the opening of its Bellevue store, which drew four-hour lines on opening day.
Canada-based Asian grocery chain T&T Supermarket opened its second Washington state location Thursday, bringing what CEO Tina Lee calls a “grocerant” experience to the suburb in Snohomish County.
The new store marks the company’s 39th location across North America and follows the successful opening of its Bellevue store, which drew four-hour lines on opening day last year.
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“I couldn’t pass this location up,” Lee said of the former Sprouts location near Highway 99 and 196th street in Lynnwood. “This is a community store. It’s smaller than our flagship in Bellevue, but something that I think will do a really good job serving the local community.”
Lee has been CEO for 11 years. Her parents started the store three decades ago. They named it after their two daughters, Tina and Tiffany.
The supermarket specializes in Asian cuisine. The chain prides itself on fresh meat, seafood and produce at competitive prices.
“We don’t compromise on quality, so you’re always getting the freshest product,” Lee said.
A standout feature is the in-store kitchen and bakery department, which offers prepared foods.
“If there was one word to describe T&T, it would be a ‘grocerant’. A restaurant and a grocery store,” Lee said.
Popular items expected to draw crowds include papa chicken, rice wraps and the ‘baby bear bao’, an open face steamed bun.
The store also features an expanded selection of Korean and Japanese beauty products.
The Bellevue store’s success gave Lee confidence to open four new locations in California.
“Bellevue residents gave us a big warm hug,” Lee said. “It has given us the confidence to keep expanding our business.”
Lynnwood has the highest concentration of Asian people in Snohomish County – about a fifth of its population
“Having such a renowned Asian grocer as T&T in our city, in a prime location along two vital thoroughfares, is very special,” Lynnwood spokesperson Nathan McDonald said.
The grocery stores have led to a lot of new jobs. 200 people have been hired to work in Lynnwood on top of another 370 in Bellevue, according to T&T.
The company sources products globally. Lee said they’ve managed to avoid major impacts from trade tensions due to strong trade networks with US producers.
Lee said T&T remains open to additional Washington locations if customer interest continues.
Dining and Cooking