H Mart To Replace Long Island City Stop & Shop, Company Confirms

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — The despair surrounding the closure of Stop & Shop may prove to be short-lived: beloved Asian grocer H Mart is set to move into the Long Island City supermarket space.

H Mart spokesperson Sam Q. Kim told Patch in an email that the company "will take over" the sprawling space at 34-51 48th St., just south of Northern Boulevard. He could not provide an opening date.

Stop & Shop said earlier this month that it would close its Long Island City location on Oct. 20, citing a review of its "operating performance." Some neighbors reacted with dismay, having appreciated its wide selection and discounted prices.

That blow might be lessened by the arrival of H Mart, which boasts a devoted following for its broad variety of Asian snacks, produce, seafood, and prepared dishes.

It will be something of a homecoming for the chain, which has dozens of locations across the U.S. but originated in Woodside. That original location, a modest Korean grocer, remains in place — though it closed for renovations months ago, and the H Mart spokesperson said the Woodside location has an independent owner unaffiliated with the rest of the company.

H Mart's Long Island City opening was first rumored on Wednesday in a post on Astoria's Reddit page, prompting dozens of celebratory comments.

"I’m excited for this," one user wrote, "but also concerned because I always get way too many snacks whenever I go to H mart."

Related coverage: Long Island City Stop & Shop To Close This Month, Company Says

Have an Astoria/Long Island City news tip? Contact reporter Nick Garber at nick.garber@patch.com.