Canada’s biggest Asian grocery chain is expanding into the U.S., hoping to bring its patented array of food, skin care and more to a new market.
On Thursday, Bellevue, Wash., will be home to T&T’s 37th store — and its first south of the border as it looks ahead to more growth in Canada and the U.S.
“It’s a natural expansion for us,” said CEO Tina Lee in an interview at the T&T store in Toronto’s Fairview Mall.
Amid the current climate of distrust and frustration over food prices that many Canadian grocers are weathering, T&T seems to be enjoying a strong and dedicated customer base. Shoppers post hauls of their products on TikTok and line up around the block to visit new locations. At the Fairview store, Lee points out a whole fried chicken in the hot food section that she says went viral online, and as she’s standing in the bakery aisle, two young shoppers recognize her and ask for a photo.
“We can feel [that] Canadians are cheering for us, just like you cheer for the Canadians at the Olympics,” said Lee.
It’s Lee’s 10th year as CEO of the company her mother founded more than three decades ago. The T&T brand, which is now owned by Loblaw, began in 1993, when Tina’s mother Cindy, with the help of her husband Jack, opened two stores in Burnaby and Richmond, B.C.
Tina and her sister Tiffany make up the two Ts in the store name.
