One of Japan’s largest convenience store operators is coming to Orange County by early next year, bringing with it dim sum and sushi, along with staples such as beer and cigarettes.
Famima Corp., the U.S. arm of Japan’s FamilyMart Co., plans to open several upscale convenience stores here,as many as real estate will allow, said Hidenari Sato, chief operating officer for the Torrance-based company.
The stores are similar to a Trader Joe’s in products but smaller in size, Sato said. They’re about 2,500 to 3,000 square feet and have more design to them, with wood floors and stainless steel fixtures, he said.
The stores tout a hip, modern look.
The beach areas and Costa Mesa are target areas, Sato said. OC’s demographics are the draw, he said. Raymond Saylor, vice president of Famima, is scouting real estate for the company. He lives here, Sato said.
The company needs suppliers, Sato said.
“Our product is made and delivered fresh everyday,” he said.
There are three deliveries a day on fresh products, he said.
Famima has three stores in Los Angeles County, including one that opened last week in Santa Monica. The chain has big plans for the future,200 to 250 U.S. stores by the end of 2009.
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Famima: modern, upscale convenience stores |
Convenience store kingpin 7-Eleven Inc. has nearly 6,000 U.S. stores.
There are 12,000 FamilyMarts in Asia, making it one of the largest chains in the region.
The first U.S. stores are set to be owned by Famima, Sato said. Then the plan is to franchise.
Nearly all of the stores in Japan are franchised.
Sato has been in the U.S. for a year. He learned English in his youth while living in London. Prior to FamilyMart, Sato was with Itochu Corp., which acquired a controlling interest in FamilyMart in 1998. Itochu has nearly $6 billion in yearly sales and makes everything from electronics and chemicals to food and metals.
The U.S. stores plan to target everybody, not just Japanese shoppers, Sato said.
The stores are set to have a mini restaurant, similar to Costa Mesa-based Mother’s Market & Kitchen, which runs four stores in the county.
“Grab a panini and we’ll grill it for you,” Sato said.
Famima plans to sell beer, smokes and other convenience staples alongside premium groceries such as sushi, panini and dim sum. Prices are set to be in between a 7-Eleven and Trader Joe’s, he said.
“We want to be a store that people can have fun and enjoy buying products,” he said.
More Dog Stuff
You could call Sandy and Roger Naff pioneers in the luxury doggie market.
The duo opened Three Dog Bakery, their dog treat bakery and store in Corona del Mar, nearly nine years ago.
“Everyone laughed at me,” Sandy Naff said.
Now canine luxury stores, selling fancy collars, leashes, dog bowls and other pricey items, are opening up like crazy. The latest one to open: Muttropolis at Fashion Island.
Three Dog Bakery bakes natural treats for dogs that are good enough for people to eat. The doggy bakery specializes in birthday cakes.
“The dogs go nuts for it,” she said.
Some of the cakes, which look like regular cakes, are peanut butter and carrot. The dog’s name and a sentiment are written in carob on top. There is no salt, sugar or preservatives.
Naff said she throws a birthday bash for her two dogs in the summer. About 100 dogs show up, she said.
One of the most popular treats is the Drooly Dream Bar, flavored with peanut butter. Valentine’s Day has also shaped up to be a big holiday. People buy boxes of treats for a friend’s dog or for their dog’s girlfriend, she said.
There are about 40 Three Dog Bakeries across the country. They’re run under licensing arrangements, Naff said.
Unlike a franchise, there’s no fee and ongoing royalties.
Gym Expansion
Work out in a skirt with a coach and no sweat. That’s the idea behind a new exercise franchise, 21 Minute Convenience Fitness, coming to Yorba Linda. It is the Walnut Creek-based chain’s first Southern California store. Prices at the Northern California centers run $139 on a month-to-month basis and $119 a month for an annual membership. The Yorba Linda studio is one of four franchises slated for OC.
Saab Dealer Honored
Steven Coleman, principal of Saab of Santa Ana and Saab of Mission Viejo, was one of 66 honorees for the 37th annual Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award. The Orange County Dealers Association in Costa Mesa nominated Coleman.
Coleman and others were toasted at the recent National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Orlando, Fla.
The award is given to dealers who show commitment to community service. Coleman is a board member of the Ryan’s Reach Foundation, which raises money to help rehabilitate adults with brain damage. Coleman supports a number of other charities.
With a bachelor’s from California State University, Fullerton, and a master’s of business administration from Golden Gate University, Coleman started his career as a partner at an accounting firm.
He later signed on as chief financial officer for Campbell Automotive Group, which was run by U.S. Rep. John Campbell.
In 2002, Coleman bought his Saab dealerships, which Campbell used to run.
Bennie Ryburn, principal of Ryburn Motor Co. in Monticello, Ark., was the overall Time Magazine winner.
