H Mart, the popular Asian supermarket chain, is moving closer to opening its new store at the Loop 820 and North Beach Street site in Haltom City. Crews installed the building’s signage on Friday, and city officials say the retailer expects to open its doors before the Thanksgiving holiday.
City officials optimistic about timing and impact
“They still are very confident that they’re going to open prior to Thanksgiving,” said Robert Briggs, Haltom City’s economic development director, to the Fort Worth Report. Briggs noted that supply‑chain delays have pushed the opening date back, but the momentum remains strong.
Existing traffic already strong
The shopping center surrounding the future H Mart location already attracts between 6,000 and 8,000 visitors each day to its restaurants and retail tenants that opened earlier this year. The city estimates the complex has welcomed roughly 634,000 visitors to date, data collected through an artificial‑intelligence platform.
“That data’s pretty compelling,” Briggs added, emphasizing the center’s role as a regional draw for shoppers from across Tarrant County.
Local business leaders welcome the new market
Hao Tran, a Fort Worth restaurateur who owns Hao’s Grocery & Café and is preparing to open a new restaurant in White Settlement, said the H Mart development will expand the market for Asian foods throughout the county. “It opens up an opportunity for everyone else to grow, culturally,” she explained. Tran noted that many residents have previously had to travel to Carrollton or Richardson for similar grocery options.
Tran does not view the new center as a competitive threat. “We’re talking about two concentric circles – one around Dallas, one around Fort Worth. We didn’t always have that equilateral view, but now we do,” she said.
Chefs see culinary benefits
Kevin Martinez, executive chef at Tokyo Café in Fort Worth, echoed the sentiment, saying the H Mart center will expose more people to ingredients they normally see only on travel or cooking shows. “Different styles,” he said, noting that the market will carry a broader range of fish and specialty items than traditional supermarkets.
Martinez highlighted that the store’s smaller‑quantity offerings will be especially useful for local chefs who do not want to purchase whole cases of specialty items. “I think it’s great for the chefs in Fort Worth, because they can grab some of those ingredients and don’t have to sit on a whole case of something,” he said.
Economic boost reflected in city budget
The H Mart development is already influencing Haltom City’s fiscal outlook. In the city’s 2027 general‑fund budget, which takes effect on Oct. 1, sales‑tax revenue is projected at $15.9 million, up from the $15.468 million projected for the current year. Property‑tax revenue is set at $17.13 million, a slight increase over the $17.119 million forecast for this year.
Briggs pointed out that the city adopted its lowest property‑tax rate in two decades, made possible by record economic growth and the lowest debt rate in 25 years. The budget also anticipates $1.1 million in annual gross sales‑tax collections once the H Mart center is fully operational.
Tenants and future growth
Twenty‑two of the center’s tenants are already operating, with three in soft‑opening mode and twenty‑three still pending launch. Briggs described the project as a catalyst for further development, noting a surge of interest in other potential sites throughout Haltom City.
“I think this is going to be a catalyst for development,” he said.
Looking ahead
With the signage up and construction progressing, residents can expect the H Mart supermarket to become a new hub for Asian cuisine, cultural exchange, and economic activity in the region before the holiday season arrives.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
