99 Ranch closes two California stores

Two 99 Ranch Market locations in California will close before the end of the year, resulting in 103 job losses for employees in the Chino and Pleasanton areas. The closures are part of a store network optimization effort by the company's parent, Tawa Supermarket Inc.

Tawa Supermarket Inc. filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notices on Monday, October 26. The chain will permanently close its Chino store at 4024 Grand Ave. on November 15. That closure will lay off 49 employees. The Pleasanton store at 4299 Rosewood Drive will close on December 5, affecting 54 more staff members.

The company stated in an email that the decision allows it to allocate resources more effectively to serve customers. It noted that other 99 Ranch Market locations in the Tri-Valley and Chino/Chino Hills areas will remain open to provide convenient access to Pan-Asian food selections.

Roger Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant, founded the chain in 1984. He opened the first store in Westminster after identifying a gap in the American supermarket sector. Siblings Jonson and Alice Chen now oversee the national expansion. The chain operates more than 60 stores across 11 states, with the majority located in California.

Competition among Asian grocers in California has intensified, particularly in the Bay Area. Korean American chain H Mart is expanding with a new East Bay location and plans for a 100,000-square-foot, two-level store in Fremont. That project will include a food hall and a bar. Jagalchi opened a 75,000-square-foot supermarket in Daly City last year. T&T Supermarket, a Canadian chain, opened a 55,000-square-foot store in San José in June and plans locations in San Francisco and Millbrae.

The closures follow other major retail adjustments in California. Grocery Outlet announced in March that it would close 36 underperforming stores, including six in Southern California. Tawa Supermarket Inc. is also facing legal challenges. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the company in June, alleging it discriminated against non-Chinese workers based on national origin. Tawa Supermarket has said the claims are without merit and will fight them. No ruling or settlement has been reached.

The most recent 99 Ranch Market opening occurred in January. The chain unveiled its second Las Vegas store in the Summerlin neighborhood.