In addition to the large, hypermart-type SuperCenter and SuperTarget operations, and Costco's warehouse-type stores, American malls are adding smaller, gourmet-type grocery stores to their tenant lists. California's Trader Joe's is a chain of eclectic specialty stores. Their first location opened, in Pasadena, California, in August 1967. There are now several mall-based Trader Joe's stores, including installations at San Francisco's STONESTOWN GALLERIA and Kansas City, Missouri's WARD PARKWAY CENTER.

Austin, Texas' Whole Foods Market, whose first store opened, in Austin, in September 1980, has also established several mall-based stores, such as stores at Paramus, New Jersey's OUTLETS AT BERGEN TOWN CENTER and Albany, New York's COLONIE CENTER. 

Another California-based chain, Seafood City, began operation in San Diego in 1989. Seafood City specializes in Filipino and Asian cuisine and began establishing a shopping mall presence early in the 21st century. Some of its mall locations are at Los Angeles' EAGLE ROCK PLAZA and Tukwila, Washington's WESTFIELD SOUTHCENTER.