Report: H-Mart in downtown Seattle makes progress

Bellevue High School student Jennifer Morss picks out a drink as she stops at the Bellevue H-Mart for lunch. (Photo by Venice Buhain.)
Bellevue High School student Jennifer Morss picks out a drink as she stops at the Bellevue H-Mart for lunch. (Photo by Venice Buhain.)

Eater Seattle reported this week that H-Mart, a Korean-inspired grocer with locations in Bellevue, Lakewood, Lynnwood and Federal Way, continues to make progress on a downtown Seattle location.

According to the Eater Seattle website, the city has accepted a construction permit for a location at 1601 Second Ave., where Nordstrom Rack used to be on Second and Pine.

The grocer stocks a number of Korean and Asian specialities such as goguchang and different types of kimchi, and fresh produce and meats, and a deli featuring bibimbap and other Korean dishes.

The downtown Seattle location was first announced three years ago, as the New York-based grocery chain expanded to Lakewood, near Tacoma. This would make the fifth local location of H-Mart. Almost exactly a year ago, the grocer opened a location Bellevue.

Cashier Susie Hughes arranges the lunchtime deli offerings at the Bellevue H-Mart. (Photo by Venice Buhain.)
Cashier Susie Hughes arranges the lunchtime deli offerings at the Bellevue H-Mart. (Photo by Venice Buhain.)

*Editor’s note: this story has been changed to correct the spelling of “kimchi.”