Shuang Hur observes H Mart entry may impact Twin Cities Asian markets

Shuang Hur faces new competition as H Mart enters the Twin Cities

In a recent column for My Annoying Opinions, a local commentator observes that the arrival of the Korean grocery giant H Mart in the Twin Cities may signal a significant shift for the established network of East Asian markets in the region. The report highlights that H Mart has reportedly purchased space in the Midway Marketplace off University Avenue in St. Paul, a location situated just a five-minute drive from Shuang Hur’s flagship store.

The proximity of this new development raises questions about the long-term viability of smaller, locally-owned businesses that have long served the area. While Shuang Hur, Dragon Star, and Kim’s have historically co-existed and thrived in this corridor, the scale of H Mart represents a different economic proposition. The author of the piece questions whether the entry of such a massive entity will act as an “extinction-level event” for existing stores, potentially drawing business away from local staples and even larger, more distant retailers like Ha Tien.

A remodeled Shuang Hur maintains its traditional inventory

Despite the looming competitive pressure, a recent return to Shuang Hur in September 2026 suggests the market is leaning into modernization to maintain its footing. The store has undergone a significant remodel, resulting in a “shinier” appearance and a more clearly organized layout compared to previous years. This update follows an email from a member of the store’s family informing the observer that the flagship location, along with the Minneapolis branch, has been significantly spruced up.

The core shopping experience remains largely consistent with the store’s 2018 profile. Customers entering the market still find a produce section tailored to East Asian cookery, followed by a seafood section and refrigerated meat cases. The aisles continue to carry a standard range of essential goods, including:

Spices, cooking sauces, and condiments
Chili oils and various vinegars
Noodles and rice
A large selection of frozen dumplings and seafood
Various cooking utensils

The author noted that pricing remains as reasonable as it has been in years past, citing examples such as a low-priced packet of lion’s mane mushrooms during the September visit.

The tension between convenience and local networks

The debate over H Mart’s arrival touches on a broader tension within the Twin Cities’ food landscape: the preference for massive, one-stop shopping versus the strength of diverse, mid-sized grocery networks. Years ago, during a conversation with the Star-Tribune regarding the metro’s Asian grocery scene, the author of the My Annoying Opinions piece expressed a preference for supporting a wider spread of locally-owned stores rather than waiting for a single behemoth to arrive.

This perspective argues that the current ecosystem—comprising various specialized stores—caters effectively to an Asian clientele spread across the metro. However, the economic reality of a major player like H Mart moving into the Midway area complicates this preference. While the existing stores have managed to thrive through a shared presence in the University Avenue area, the sheer scale of a major corporation often changes consumer habits in ways that smaller, independent retailers struggle to match.

Whether the Twin Cities will see a consolidation of the market or a continued coexistence of big-box retail and local specialists remains to be seen. For now, the remodeled Shuang Hur continues to offer the same mix of products that served the community in 2018, albeit in a more polished environment.

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