Millbrae plans take step forward for T&T Supermarket at old Lucky location

T&T, which originated in Canada and now has over 40 stores in North America, sells fresh-baked goods, prepared food, a variety of specialty items from Asian cuisines as well as kitchenware and gifts. Commissioner Nathan Chan recalled his first experience with the grocery store as “pretty amazing.” 

“I grew up in Vancouver … I don’t remember specifically when T&T opened near where we lived, but it was definitely a huge change, having access to a large grocery store that served the kind of food we buy and eat all the time,” he said. 

Since the store’s announcement that it would likely be coming to Millbrae, Chan said friends from around the Bay Area reached out. 

“I suspect that this will be as big a draw to Millbrae as Jagalchi in Daly City, H Mart in S.F.,” he said. “I expect that's the scale of initial excitement we will have, and I think that's a really amazing opportunity for our city.” 

The new project will make only minimal changes to the building, including the incorporation of a bakery, indoor cafe and outdoor seating area as well as a refreshed look that matches existing T&T branding. 

The 45 Murchison Drive location operated as a Lucky grocery from 1966 to 2023, staff said. Because the previous use of the building is similar to the new plans, Commissioner Catherine Quigg said she doubted noise and traffic impacts to neighbors would be of paramount concern. 

“There was a grocery store there for years and years and years — I don’t think it’s going to be a huge impact,” she said. 

In consultation forms distributed by the city, 18 neighbors were in support of the project and two were against, staff said. One neighbor spoke at public comment to discuss potential noise concerns, which T&T lawyer Mark Loper said would likely be mitigated by a new, quieter rooftop refrigeration system. 

In general, Vice Chair Samuel Chui said he thought neighbors would be pleased to once again have a major grocery store close to their homes, though he asked the developer to keep noise and safety concerns in mind. 

“I’m excited we are getting a supermarket back,” he said. “I know a lot of neighbors have missed Lucky’s as a way to shop for groceries.” 

T&T Supermarket is also making other forays into the Bay Area, though no locations have opened as of yet. The opening of a San Jose T&T, to be located at the Westgate Shopping Center, has been delayed to spring 2026. Another San Francisco location was originally slated for winter 2026.