Kazuhiro Takeda opened Osaka Marketplace in Fremont four years ago, and now he’s expanding the business to San Mateo County.
The new Japanese grocery store, which will be located in the Edgewater Place Shopping Center in Foster City, is currently under renovation and is replacing the former Lucky grocery store that closed earlier this year. The waterfront shopping center is also home to several other food establishments, including cafes and restaurants.
Takeda said the Foster City location seemed like the right next step for the business, which he hopes to continue growing in the Bay Area.
The 53-year-old owner said he plans to take lessons learned from the Fremont store, which has increased its grab-and-go dish selection, including bento boxes, sashimi and sushi, to accommodate growing customer demand. He’s also seen a rise in demand for Japanese condiments, like certain kinds of soy sauce or miso.
“Here in the Bay Area, customers already know how to cook Japanese dishes, and they want to cook traditional dishes at home,” he said.
Before opening Osaka Marketplace just a few years ago, Takeda worked for various retail and food giants in Japan, helping them grow their own businesses. His most recent position before deciding to start his own venture was for Don Quijote, a Japanese retail and grocery chain that has locations from Hawaii to Hong Kong and Singapore.
While there are a handful of Japanese grocers in the Bay Area, he said he felt confident that, from his experience working for retailers in Japan, he could secure even more high-quality goods.
“I felt there were certain things lacking, so I wanted to bring more to the Bay Area,” he said. “With the connections I have in Japan, I can have Japanese fresh fish imported and Wagyu beef imported directly … and certain kinds of cosmetics.”
In a news release, Mayor Stacy Jimenez said she looked forward to seeing a new Japanese grocery in the city.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Osaka Marketplace to Foster City,” Jimenez said. “Their arrival brings new energy to Edgewater Place Shopping Center and offers a fresh, high-quality shopping experience that our residents will truly enjoy.”
The store is expected to open in November.
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