Daiso, a chain of “100-yen” retail stores featuring discount products from Japan, is scheduled to open in Visalia on Oct. 26.
The new Daiso location will be at 4043 S. Mooney Blvd., the former site of Kirkland’s. The new 7,020-square-foot store will offer a wide range of products, including Japanese home decor, stationery, kitchenware, stationery, snacks, beauty items, craft supplies, toys, organizational tools, gardening supplies, pet accessories, and seasonal decorations.
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Daiso stores specialize in items that are hard to find in the Central Valley, such as animal training chopsticks, Calbee Takoyaki Balls (octopus-flavored corn snacks), vacuum compression bags, themed silicone cake molds, animal and food-inspired plushies, and blind boxes.
They also have seasonal items for sale. Currently, Daiso stores offer Halloween ornaments (“dangling legs”), themed garlands, and Rilakkuma Halloween items such as buckets, enamel pins, nail stickers, and tote bags.
"We are thrilled to open our store at Packwood Creek," said Jack Williams, chief retail operations officer for Daiso USA, in a press release. "This achievement reflects the dedication and support of our customers who have embraced Daiso's unique concept and diverse product range. We are excited to provide an exceptional shopping experience to the vibrant Visalia community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication."
The popular discount shops, a Japanese version of dollar stores, are currently located in eight states and more than 25 countries. Daiso Industries, which started in the 1970s, now has more than 4,000 stores in Japan, and retail locations in more than 25 countries and regions, according to The Japan Times.
The company has plans to expand into the Midwest and along the East Coast, but is also actively opening more stores in California.
"California-based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region,” said John Clarke, chief development officer, in the release.
The new Visalia store has scheduled its grand opening celebration for the Oct. 26-27 weekend, a week later than originally announced, according to a company spokesperson who noted that, “dates are still subject to change.”
The opening will feature store specials and an exclusive goodie bag giveaway to the first 100 customers to make a minimum purchase of $30.
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Daiso has announced that the hours for its Visalia store will be Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.