Island Pacific Supermarket marked the debut of its 19th store, located in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Granada Hills, with a grand-opening celebration Aug. 11.
The store offers a selection of fresh seafood, meat, produce and specialty items from the Philippines and other Asian countries, as well as a range of non-food items, like cookware, apparel and beauty products.
One of the store’s features, similar to its sister location in Lake Forest, is the promotion of Filipino culture and language. Throughout the store, shoppers can find Baybayin translations of words for different food items, created by artist Krystian Kabuay, an expert on pre-Philippine script.
Baybayin is an ancient script used in the Philippines before the arrival of the Spanish. Seeing it displayed on store shelves and signs serves as a reminder of the country’s history and heritage.
The feature sets Island Pacific apart from other grocery stores, drawing Filipinos and those who want to learn more about the culture. The store also features a mural created by Filipino artist Bodeck Luna of Long Beach.
The grand opening event featured remarks from Consul General of Los Angeles Edgar Badajos, as well as performances by Jay R, the “Philippine Prince of Pop,” and Kayamanan Folk Arts and Pagkaraguian Kulintang Ensemble.
The new store also boasts a food court that offers a variety of Filipino food choices, including Max Fried Chicken, Crab Mentality, San Honore Bakery and PhilHouse.
With multiple locations across California and Nevada, Island Pacific Supermarket provides a shopping experience that celebrates Filipino culture, heritage and cuisine while being certified as a “Great Place to Work.”
This opening follows the grocer’s 17th location in February 2021.
