Seafood City Opens First Arizona Location, Creating Over 100 Jobs

Filipino Supermarket Chain Expands to Arizona with New Chandler Store

Chandler, Arizona, welcomed a new addition to its retail landscape as Seafood City, the largest Filipino supermarket chain in the United States, opened its doors at Chandler Fashion Center. The store’s debut on Thursday marked the company’s first foray into Arizona, creating over 100 new jobs in the region.

Located at 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., the store officially opened at 9 a.m. But the excitement was palpable as hundreds of eager customers queued outside hours before, with some, like Alex Hapan from Mesa, arriving as early as 4 a.m. to be among the first to experience the new location.

The grand opening was attended by notable figures, including Congressman Greg Stanton, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, and Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart. Seafood City President Matthew Go and Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Arizona, Jenny Lynn Ho-Vijungco, also graced the occasion. Congressman Stanton remarked to the crowd, “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.”

Jean Clare Sarmiento

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KJZZ

Seafood City in Chandler offers a diverse range of Filipino culinary options in its food hall. Visitors can enjoy delights from Grill City, which specializes in barbecue and grilled meats, to Bakers Avenue, known for its fresh breads and pastries. Other dining options include Slurp Alley for noodle dishes and hotpot, and Crispy Town for comfort food. The store also introduces a new crab market concept, as highlighted in a recent press release.

With approximately 24 locations in California and over a dozen in other states and Canada, Seafood City is expanding its presence, offering Filipino-Americans in Arizona a dedicated place to shop and connect with their heritage. Jonathan Garcia, a local Filipino-American, expressed that the new store offers unique community opportunities. He stated, “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, and we can find a lot more things here in Seafood City, and like honestly, this whole cafeteria. There’s like so much things to pick from, which normally you wouldn’t be able to get to.”

Similarly, May Coy, who moved to the U.S. six years ago, appreciates the cultural significance of the new location. She remarked, “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.” Coy believes the store not only facilitates the availability of Filipino ingredients but also supports the creation of new friendships and the celebration of family in the community.