Uwajimaya, the Pacific Northwest Asian supermarket known for its sprawling snack aisles and busy seafood counter, is gearing up for two major openings in 2027: a new Eastside store in Issaquah and a Tacoma location that doubles as a sentimental return to the company’s roots. The new arrivals will join the flagship in Seattle and existing stores in Bellevue, Renton and Beaverton, Oregon.
Where the new stores will land
In Tacoma, Uwajimaya is set to take over the former Hobby Lobby space at Tacoma Central. On the Eastside, the chain plans to move into the shuttered Rite Aid at Town & Country Square on Gilman Boulevard in Issaquah. Lee & Associates reported the Tacoma lease and build-out plans, while The Seattle Times detailed the Issaquah acquisition. Both moves surfaced earlier this year and have since circulated widely among regional outlets.
A homecoming for the Moriguchi family
For the Moriguchi family, Tacoma is not just another pin on the map. Uwajimaya traces its origins to the city in 1928, and company leaders have framed the new store as a chance to reconnect with that history. CEO Denise Moriguchi told KUOW that the return "raised emotions I didn’t realize were there," while the company has reiterated on its blog that the move is intended to "honor their legacy." Uwajimaya has described the openings as community-focused.
Big build-out and a 'village' layout
The Tacoma store is set to be a sizable project. Commercial filings put the former big-box space at roughly 61,000 square feet, and Uwajimaya plans a multi-tenant "village" layout similar to its Seattle flagship, with other businesses sharing the footprint. Lee & Associates reported that tenant improvements are estimated at about $8 million, with construction expected to start this summer. Company representatives and local TV coverage indicate that both the Tacoma and Issaquah stores are scheduled to open in 2027, with Tacoma likely landing in the first half of the year, as noted by FOX 13 Seattle.
What it could mean for shoppers
The new locations slot into a broader surge of Asian supermarkets across Washington, where specialty grocers are increasingly snapping up space in suburban shopping centers. Supermarket News notes that Uwajimaya’s expansion follows a string of openings by other chains and could meaningfully shift grocery options on the Eastside and in the South Sound. For regular Uwajimaya shoppers, that likely means closer access to its produce, seafood and prepared foods without a cross-region trek.
Next steps
In its own announcement, the company framed the Tacoma return as both a strategic growth move and a nod to family history, and it has signaled that more detail is on the way. Uwajimaya says both new stores are slated to open in 2027, with tenant lineups, hiring timelines and official opening dates to be shared as plans firm up. Local officials and shoppers alike will be watching closely as the build-outs get underway.
