Uwajimaya to Open New Bellevue Store Friday

 is set to open Friday in its new location, giving it more floor space for its wide array of Asian groceries, produce, meat, seafood and gifts, along with a cafe serving prepared dishes.

The family-owned company  at 15555 NE 24th St. last week to prepare for the move.

“Because of the growth on the Eastside and in our customers, we had to modernize and enlarge," said Tomoko Moriguchi Matsuno, CEO of Seattle-based Uwajimaya Inc., in a statement about the move. "Finally, we’ve done it.  We are so excited to bring Japan and all of Asia closer to downtown Bellevue.”

Doors open at the new 35,000-square-foot store at 8 a.m. Friday at 699 120th Ave. N.E., near the Northeast Eighth Street exits of Interstate 405.

The company, founded by Fujimatsu and Sadako Moriguchi in 1928, now has markets in Seattle, Renton, Bellevue and Beaverton, Oregon.