99 Ranch sets opening date for its first shopping mall location

In two weeks, an unusual new anchor tenant will join Macy’s, Target and the Century Theatres at South San Jose’s Oakridge Mall.

It’s a grocery store.

The 99 Ranch Market company, the nation’s largest Asian grocery chain, will unveil its “new concept” store to customers at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 22. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for Saturday, March 26.

This 99 Ranch will be the chain’s first location inside a mall, giving customers “unparalleled convenience,” said Teddy Chow, NorCal vice president for the group. Company officials had expected the store, announced last April, to open by late summer but the date was pushed back.

It’s being touted as both a supermarket and a dining destination, with enhanced in-store and takeout options, and will feature a new interior design and services such as curbside pickup.

“Guests can expect to enjoy a barbecued food section with a delicious selection of grilled meat and cuisines, including the best-seller, Hong Kong-style barbecue,” the company said in a statement. “The noodle section offers a wide choice of soup-based noodle and congees, and the dim sum section is perfect for those craving traditional hand-made dumplings, buns and steamed or baked favorites, like rice noodle rolls, steamed pork ribs and baked pork puffs.”