Uwajimaya's New Asian Market Slated for South Lake Union

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The retail, office, and market-style food space at the 400 Fairview building just added another tenant to its exciting line-up that already includes Meat and Bread, Caffe Ladro, Bar Harbor Finestkind Provisions, and opening-any-day mBar from the Mamnoon owners.

Skanska USA Commercial Development, which developed the market, announced today that Asian grocer Uwajimaya will bring its Kai Market concept to one of the few remaining empty spots in the hall. Kai Market is a new spin-off for the popular local supermarket chain, and the fact that it's being called the "first" location for this concept would seem to indicate there could be others in the works.

Kai Market will occupy a 5,500-square-foot venue and will sell local and international products and grab-and-go seafood items. There will also be a live tank filled with crabs, lobsters, and oysters, plus a fishmonger on hand to provide fillets and sashimi cuts.

"Kai Market is about options. The lunch crowd can stop in for a hand-crafted bento box in the dining area, while the after-work crowd can take home fresh seafood and a carefully curated selection of quality Asian products for which Uwajimaya is known," said Denise Moriguchi, President of Uwajimaya Inc., in a release. "We were excited to try something new and loved the idea of a store with a smaller, more intimate footprint in a growing, vibrant neighborhood like South Lake Union."

Construction will begin on the space this fall with an anticipated opening date in early 2017. Now, if fellow Asian mega-chain H-Mart ever opens in Seattle, shoppers will have some serious options in the downtown area.