H Mart, the Asian-inspired chain of supermarkets, will open a new store in Lakewood this week.

The new 43,000 square foot supermarket is located at 8720 South Tacoma Way in Lakewood’s International District and employs as many as 60 people. It includes a pharmacy, deli, Korean bakery, meat department, fish department, and expansive produce offerings. The Lakewood location presents a new market opportunity for H Mart, which currently operates stores in Federal Way and Lynnwood, and has plans to open two additional locations in Bellevue and downtown Seattle in late autumn.

“We are serving an ever-expanding multicultural community in the South Sound,” said H Mart Northwest Region President Jay Song. “Lakewood increases H Mart’s ability to reach our international customers.”

“The International District in Lakewood is a star attraction,” said Ellie Chambers-Grady, economic development manager for the City of Lakewood. “Our business community is now more diverse than ever before, and we are proud to welcome H Mart.”

City of Lakewood and H Mart officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thurs., March 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the new Lakewood store. The event will include an open house in which community members can tour the store, sample products, and enter an on-site sweepstakes. Beginning Friday, the store will be open daily between 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.