Newark’s NewPark Mall, like many around the country, has become a desolate place for retail. What was once a Tri-City destination has now found itself with empty storefronts.
The mall’s saving graces have become a few restaurants, the AMC Theatre and Costco.
However, T&T Supermarket, a Canadian-based chain, announced in June that they will be taking over what was once the mall’s Macy’s location—one of NewPark Mall’s anchor storefronts which has been vacant since March 2025.
T&T is the largest Asian supermarket chain in Canada with over 40 total locations across Canada and the United States. With its first U.S. store opening in Washington in 2024, the chain has recently begun to branch out to California. A San Jose location opened in June of this year and two additional Bay Area locations are slated to open in San Francisco and Millbrae.
T&T was founded in Vancouver, Canada, by Taiwanese immigrants, Cindy and Jack Lee, in 1993. The supermarket has been passed down to the couple’s daughter Tina Lee, who is now the company’s CEO.
The Newark store location is the first in the East Bay and will be the largest in California taking over 72,600 square feet. Its opening is expected for winter 2027.
T&T will be the second grocery store in NewPark Mall, with Costco opening in November 2023.
The supermarket will not only offer groceries but, according to a press release, will also feature T&T’s popular T&T Kitchen with hot ready-to-go meals, a bakery with 150 pastry options, live seafood options and specialty Asian food brands. Apart from food, the store will also sell Asian beauty products.
In a social media post, CEO Tina Lee said, “I think the East Bay really needs a T&T…That’s why we picked a super big store.”
Commenters on the post expressed their support and excitement of the store’s plan to take over the location, with one saying, “Whoever told you guys this location did their job. This mall/location is dead and needs that T&T market to boost the area.”
Newark Councilmember Eva Marie Little said, “I believe opening it in Newark [is] a very good match for our demographics and will be a pleasant addition to the area.”
The supermarket will be joining the ranks of two Asian stores in Fremont that have been named the largest of their company’s U.S. locations.
In January 2026, Miniso—the Asian retailer known for its stationary, beauty and homegoods products—was named the largest Miniso in the United States after taking over the former Any Mountain location in Fremont’s Pacific Commons, and H Mart—the Asian grocery store specializing in Korean cuisine due for construction this year—will be the company’s largest U.S. location after occupying the former Kohl’s, also in the Pacific Commons.
