In a vibrant addition to the local community, Seafood City, a renowned Filipino supermarket chain, has officially opened its doors in Chandler, marking its debut in Arizona. This new outlet at the Chandler Fashion Center is expected to provide over 100 jobs and bring a taste of the Philippines to the region.
The grand opening, held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, drew a large crowd, with eager shoppers lining up as early as 4 a.m. Alex Hapan, a resident of Mesa, led the eager early birds, having traveled across the Valley with his family to witness the store’s opening.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Congressman Greg Stanton, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart, and representatives from Senator Mark Kelly’s office. Seafood City President Matthew Go and Jenny Lynn Ho-Vijungco, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Arizona, were also in attendance.
Addressing the excited crowd, Congressman Stanton remarked, “Only in Arizona, in the middle of summer, 100-degree heat this early, that you get hundreds and hundreds of people waiting to come into Seafood City to enjoy everything inside.”
The store features a diverse food hall offering a variety of Filipino dishes. Patrons can enjoy barbecue and grilled meats at Grill City, freshly baked goods at Bakers Avenue, noodles at Slurp Alley, and traditional comfort foods at Crispy Town. The Chandler location also introduces a new crab market concept.
With numerous locations in California and other states, Seafood City aims to provide a sense of community to local Filipino-Americans. Jonathan Garcia, a local resident, shared his excitement: “Having Seafood City here, it’s giving us a lot more rep. You know, we have a lot of Asian places, but we don’t really have just a Filipino supermarket.”
Garcia highlighted the store’s extensive product range compared to other branches outside the state. Similarly, May Coy, another community member, expressed how the store brings Filipino culture to the forefront in Arizona. “That’s our culture that we always smile despite of challenges, trials. We always share food. That’s our tradition, though. We love to share our food to everybody,” she noted.
Seafood City not only offers a place for shopping but also fosters new friendships and family gatherings, making it a hub for cultural exchange and community building in Chandler.
