Super A Closes, Imminent Construction of Residential Buildings

JENNIFER THAI
Staff Writer

Super A Foods is a privately owned franchise that was first established by Louis Amen in 1971. A store was built in Alhambra just a decade later. After 32 years of business, Alhambra’s Super A closed its doors on Feb. 3.

More than a year has passed since new designs for Alhambra were proposed in place of Super A. According to the Alhambra Source, Super A no longer had its lease since January. Details were announced at the Jan. 14 City Council meeting. The vacancy lot is going to be converted for mixed-use development; the city advocates the construction of more residential apartment complexes and a new commercial market for the area has been scheduled for March. Construction of the new structure will take approximately two years.

“I used to do my grocery shopping [there] before the kids got out, since it was more convenient. I need to find another place [to shop] now,” Alhambra resident Lynn Tran said.

Many are still confused about why the renewal of Super A’s lease was not approved. The residential and commercial plan was proposed in 2011 by developer Pacific Plaza Investment and designer Simon Lee and Associates Architects, and the final plan was approved in 2013. The city council members of Alhambra made the decision to construct new homes and a new commercial market. Super A was located in central Alhambra, which was easily accessible and affordable for both students and parents.

“I’m going to miss the fact that we used to go after every practice to get an Arizona [tea],” senior Wai Sett said.

Recently, there have been rumors of a Trader Joe’s opening as the market in place of Super A. According to a Trader Joe representative, there is nothing stated in their one-year plan about opening a store in Alhambra.

Regardless of what building will be launched, Super A Foods will remain a part of Alhambra’s history.

“I’ll miss the convenience of having a supermarket next to the school,” sophomore Jeffrey Weng said.