LOS ANGELES — Tawa Services Inc. (TSI), the largest Asian store chain in the United States, has recently opened its 61st 99 Ranch Market store branch in Torrance, California.
A grand opening ceremony was held on Saturday, December 9 for the branch located at 19100 Harborgate Way in Torrance.
TSI chairman Jonson Chen, in an interview with the Asian Journal on the sidelines of the event that said it took the company several months to study the strategic location of this newest branch.
“We painstakingly scouted and looked for this location and we spent a lot to transform this branch into one of our largest stores,” Chen said.
For her part, 99 Ranch Market chief executive officer (CEO) Alice Chen, in her speech during the opening ceremony, said, “We are so excited to be here. Our mission and our vision every day and every single day since we’ve been open the last 39 years is to bring the best of Asia to dining room tables.”
She thanked their loyal customers for their support. “We try harder every single day to see that smile on your faces each time you come in to our stores.Thank you so much for being here,” she added.
The company CEO also said that they are happy to be able to provide more jobs in the community.
She said the 30,000 square-foot Torrance store has hired so far some 120 employees.
During the grand opening, California State Assembly field representative Moises Aglipay, who is working under the office of Assemblymember Mike Gipson of the 65 District, presented a Certificate of Recognition to the owners of 99 Ranch Market for its support and contribution to the community.
“This is a welcome development not only for Filipinos but all of the Asian communities here in Torrance,” Aglipay told the Asian Journal in interview.
In the coming months, the TSI chairman said they would be putting up more stores nationwide. “We will be opening up another store in Houston, Texas soon,” he said.
In California, he said they would be eyeing another store to be put up in Tustin in Orange County.
Strategically located near the 405 freeway, the 99 Ranch store in Torrance is easily accessible, surrounded by other retail and restaurants.
The Torrance branch, Chen said, will bring diverse communities in the city and its surroundings a more comprehensive one-stop service and a richer array of pan-Asian products.
Since its inception in 1984, the 99 Ranch Market has become a beloved national Asian grocery brand that has served as the “Gateway to Asia” for generations of shoppers seeking everyday staples, fresh produce, live seafood, popular snacks, delicacies, and items that are near-impossible to find in conventional grocery chains.
The newly-opened Torrance store, which will be opened from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, offers over 10,000 items across six major categories:
Grocery: Featuring a wide range of groceries, including popular Asian snacks and beverage brands, authentic spices, convenient frozen foods like dumplings and scallion pancakes, along with popular household appliances and selected beauty and hair care products.
Produce: A diverse selection of fresh fruits and vegetables to meet the needs of both Eastern and Western cuisines, including locally sourced greens and mushrooms, as well as globally imported choices such as dragon fruit, jujubes, Korean pears, and Japanese enoki mushrooms.
Meats: High-quality beef sourced from USDA-certified suppliers, organic chicken, Angus beef, Japanese Wagyu, and various marinated meats catering to diverse needs for hot pot and barbecue ingredients.
Seafood: Over a hundred varieties of fresh and frozen seafood, including live crabs, lobsters, wild-caught fish, and a range of sashimi options; complimentary services such as cleaning, steaming, and frying are provided.
Bakery: Offering a selection of popular Asian-flavored baked goods, including egg tarts, traditional Chinese snacks, egg waffle cake, Japanese cheesecake, and toast boxes.
Hot Deli: A variety of freshly prepared delicacies, including traditional roast duck, assorted combo meals, Cantonese dim sum, and a new addition of Japanese fried chicken bentos.
AJPress photos by Donnabelle L. Gatdula
Coinciding the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Torrance store was a traditional lion dance performed by San Gabriel Valley Chinese Cultural Association.
Among the highlights of the opening of the 99 Ranch Market in Torrance included the traditional Japanese Bluefin Tuna cutting show and demo tasting.
The first 50 customers with the purchase receipt and redemption voucher obtained a $25 gift card while waiting in line on Saturday.
During the opening weekend, customers with purchase of $68 or more were able to receive a bag of 99 Ranch Market’s classic assorted-flavor toast from the bakery section.
Customers who spent over $99, on the other hand, were able to receive a mystery gift bag.
Exclusive 99 Ranch Market gifts were also given away for participants in on-site interactive activities.
To date, the company owns and operates 66 stores across 10 states under all of its banners, including 168 Market and Cravings by 99 Ranch Market, as well as e-commerce and mobile business.
In 2022 and 2023, it was recognized by Deloitte as one of the best-managed companies in the United States for two consecutive years. For more information, visit www.99Ranch.com.
