Heritage Plaza, Irvine, Calif.

The country’s largest Japanese supermarket chain will debut at Heritage Plaza, in Irvine, Calif.



According to shopping center owner Regency Center, based in Jacksonville, Fla., it has leased 13,853 sq. ft. at Heritage Plaza to Mitsuwa Marketplace. The Asian grocer, which has eight other U.S. locations, including six in California, is slated to open in fourth quarter 2011, in a former Ace Hardware space.



“The addition of Mitsuwa Marketplace further strengthens the tailored merchandise mix at Heritage Plaza by meeting the growing need for Asian products in the surrounding Irvine community,” said Gregg Sadowsky, Regency Center’s senior VP and market officer.



Mitsuwa Marketplace is part of the $10 million renovation currently underway at Heritage Plaza, a 233,000-sq.-ft. neighborhood center located in Orange County. Based upon resident focus group feedback and research data, the center’s transformation will include a new exterior façade incorporating stone and wood finishes, upgraded architectural components, new building and way finding signage, wider pedestrian walkways, energy-efficient parking lot lighting, added gathering areas with outdoor seating, sidewalk eating areas for al fresco dining and updated landscaping.



The renovation is scheduled for completion in November.