Mega Mart debuts in U.S.

Duluth, Ga. Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said Monday that Mega Mart will open on Oct. 8 at Gwinnett Place, located in northeast metro Atlanta.

Metro Mart, based in Korea, is part of the NongShim Corp., and the new store at Gwinnett Place is the hypermarket’s first foray into the U.S. market. The retailer of grocery items and family apparel currently has 13 locations -- 10 in Korea and three in China.

“The two-level concept with grocery and retail offers a unique shopping experience unlike anything else in the area,” said Shelley Korenbrot, director of mall marketing & business development for Gwinnett Place.

Recent openings at Gwinnett Place include Avon with an 886-sq.-ft. retail space on the upper level in Center Court, along with a 1,128-sq.-ft. Chicken Now restaurant in the Food Court and My Pillow Pets on the lower level of the mall.

Children’s retailer Chika International is also open on the mall’s lower level, and Kneaded Perk is slated to open a 2,776-sq.-ft. cafe this fall.

Gwinnett Place is anchored by J.C. Penney, Belk, Macy’s and Sears.