Lee Lee International Supermarkets, a chain of three Asian-centric international grocery stores in Tucson, Peoria, and Chandler, has been purchased by a specialty grocery retailer headquartered in Southern California.
Here in town, Lee Lee is on the corner of Orange Grove Road and La Cholla Boulevard — 1990 W. Orange Grove Rd. — and offers thousands of square feet of shopping options with fresh produce, a butcher, live seafood, cookware, beer, wine, and imported goods from countries all over the world.
Last week, Maison Solutions Inc., a U.S.-based grocer that provides traditional Asian food, announced Wednesday, April 10 that it acquired Lee Lee Oriental Supermarts. The company operates HK Good Fortune Supermarkets in California as well as Dai Cheong Trading.
“Lee Lee International Supermarkets has an established brand presence in Arizona and is a perfect fit for Maison, giving us a base for further growth in the region,” said John Xu, President and CEO of Maizon Solutions Inc.
Lee Lee is one of the largest and longest-running Asian grocers in the state. The company was founded more than 30 years ago. The Tucson location comprises more than 51,000 square feet and includes a Vietnamese restaurant and barbecue restaurant, which offers Peking duck, roasted pork, and other Chinese barbecue plates to go.
Both of its stores in the Phoenix metro area include a Vietnamese restaurant and a jewelry store. The Chandler, Arizona, store spans over 52,000 square feet and includes a bakery. The Peoria, Arizona, location is more than 60,000 square feet and features a boba tea store and clothing shop.
“This transaction demonstrates our strategy of expanding by acquisition in geographic locations with large and growing Asian and ethnic populations,” said Xu.
There’s no word on what the name of the supermarkets will be but stay tuned!
For more information, visit leeleesupermarket.com and maisonsolutionsinc.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
