
One of two lions performs for customers waiting to enther the store after the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the H Mart grand opening on Thursday morning.

Lion dancing is believed to bring success and chase away evil spirits. In Chinese culture, the lion symbolizes power, wisdom, and superiority. Martial artists generally and trained dancers perform lion dances at festivals or special occasions to bring good fortune.
Moments before opening H Mart's neatly stocked shelves wait for the first day of customers. The store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and will remain open 365 days a year. The Urbana store is the sixth location in Illinois. There are more than 80 stores spread across the country started by a South Korean immigrant in 1982.
Rows of freezers packaged with seafood, meats and other Asian specialty items were filled to the brim. The store also features the "Market Eatery" food court, offering various Asian cuisines in a sit-down dining environment. Shoppers will find a extensive selection of produce for homemade kimchi, tonkatsu, onigiri, spring rolls and more.
A Korean dance group perform a traditional routine to bless the new location and celebrate the grand opening.
H Mart employee Henry Chung tries to manage crowd control allowing a limited number of shoppers in at a time after the doors open on the first day of business.
Nearly 400 people wait patiently to enter the new store and purchase their favorite treats and goods to prepare Asian dishes at home.
Officially opening at 10 a.m., customers wait for their chance to enter the store.
The Korean dance group perform in the parking lot, entertaining customers waiting for their chance to enter the store and start their shopping experience.