Trader Joe's info

[gerryann]

Rather than hijack another thread that is running about Trader Joe's.....I have a question.

I was in San Diego recently. I needed a few items and saw a Trader Joe's. I had never been in one before and had heard such great things about them here on TOTV...thought I'd give them a try.

Well, I was so completely unimpressed. What I am guessing is this.....Are there different sizes, quality, etc of Trader Joe's? This store was Soooo small. I mean really small. I ended up going next door (yes, next door) to a Von's supermarket to get what I needed.....maybe they have like...satellite stores or Trader Joe convenient stores?? I was so surprised.

I was expecting something like a Wegman's......now THATS an awesome store!!!

[Gulfhills]

I'm in Tallahassee visiting my son, and went to Trader Joe's today. I wasn't impressed either. From what I understand they are basically all the same everywhere. But I could be wrong.

[jebartle]

Our Village made a pilgrimage to Gainesville, I was the one that left and shopped next door!...I just don't get it!

[CFrance]

You all just go where you want to shop. Just don't trash the attempts those of us who love it are making to get one here. It won't run anyone else out of business.

There are many specialty items in TJ's that aren't available elsewhere. If you just walked into a store while on a trip, you wouldn't come out with the fantastic frozen food items or other things available. You don't go there looking for mayonnaise.

[sunnyatlast]

Have never been impressed with Trader Joes. Most people I know who go there like the cheap wine and drive there to buy it by the case.

[graciegirl]

You all just go where you want to shop. Just don't trash the attempts those of us who love it are making to get one here. It won't run anyone else out of business.

There are many specialty items in TJ's that aren't available elsewhere. If you just walked into a store while on a trip, you wouldn't come out with the fantastic frozen food items or other things available. You don't go there looking for mayonnaise.

Whoa. I am not worried about Trader Joe's harming anyone's business.

My continued questions are not a conspiracy to keep small businesses out of anywhere. If they are good they will grow into big businesses with CEO's who make a bundle. That's how it works.

I pray that all my friends daughter in law's will be those CEO's. Bigger and Better Christmas presents for my friends.....don'tcha know?

[theorem painter]

I do half my weekly shopping at Trader Joes and the other half at Wegmans. I will miss both when we move permanently in October. BTW our Trader Joes does not sell wine. Trader Joes has great prices on cheeses and unusual choices. Cookie Butter is their #1 seller. Think peanut butter with crushed up ginger snaps. Frozen foods are great especially the Mandarin Chicken. Every store is different. I have been in the one in Gainesville and could not find the products I was use to buying because a large portion of the store is wine. Tonight for dinner we are trying a new product: Chicken Pot Pie Raviolis.

[CFrance]

Whoa. I am not worried about Trader Joe's harming anyone's business.

My continued questions are not a conspiracy to keep small businesses out of anywhere. If they are good they will grow into big businesses with CEO's who make a bundle. That's how it works.

I pray that all my friends daughter in law's will be those CEO's. Bigger and Better Christmas presents for my friends.....don'tcha know?
TJ's is not a small business! They are nationwide. Just not in TV.

[NotGolfer]

The brother of the founder of T.J.'s owns Aldi. Not everyone care for Aldi neither. I for one would LOVE a T.J.'s here as they carry specific items at a great price that is harder to find OR is a high price somewhere else. I wouldn't do my weekly shopping at one but I definately would get the items I love if we had one. We shop Aldi as well and don't get our entire grocery list there.

[CFrance]

The brother of the founder of T.J.'s owns Aldi. Not everyone care for Aldi neither. I for one would LOVE a T.J.'s here as they carry specific items at a great price that is harder to find OR is a high price somewhere else. I wouldn't do my weekly shopping at one but I definately would get the items I love if we had one. We shop Aldi as well and don't get our entire grocery list there.
There isn't one grocery store that carries everything we eat on a normal basis. We mainly shop in WD and go to Publix once or twice for things they have that WD doesn't. And Publix doesn't carry some things we need that WD does. And Fresh Market--hit that when they advertise raw ocean caught FL shrimp, or if I want some of their specialty items.

I would be happy to add TJ's into that for the things I like there. I find grocery shopping relaxing. (Except for Walmart.)

[CFrance]

Different strokes for different folks.

[graciegirl]

Homepage: Welcome | Trader Joe's (http://www.traderjoes.com/)

In here they say they plan to open in Davie, Florida...which I had never heard of. It is a town of 91K in Broward County. Wonder why THEM and not US?

Hope they don't think we are a bunch of old folks who wouldn't enjoy what they had to offer.

[asianthree]

Have never been impressed with Trader Joes. Most people I know who go there like the cheap wine and drive there to buy it by the case.

Yuck cheap wine. Kosher, kosher, no nitrites, no phosphate, organic is why I go

[FlamingoFlo]

I used to be able to get cat shaped animal crackers there. Loved them.

[Mikeod]

Wow, I guess you're right. All I wanted to know is if they are all the same. I guess they are and I guess I don't get it.
When we lived in San Diego county there was a Trader Joe's in the city next to us. It was not impressive. The bulk of the offerings were frozen. Very little fresh foods. While the frozen foods were quite good, we rarely shopped there. Too many better choices. It may be different now as it's been 10 years since we left there.

When we went to visit my son and his family in Chicago, they mentioned they shopped a lot at Trader Joe's and, since it was right across the street from our hotel, we stopped in. It was completely different. Most of the food was fresh and far less frozen. Many interesting things we didn't see elsewhere. The Gainesville store is much more similar to what we saw in Chicago. We go there every so often and enjoy the drive.

[TheVillageChicken]

Have never been impressed with Trader Joes. Most people I know who go there like the cheap wine and drive there to buy it by the case.


Two Buck Chuck...a great table wine for a game of pinochle...a bottle per player....glasses optional.

[missypie]

Absolutely Love Trader Joes. I guess I fell in love with them when we lived In California. When I go to Winter Park I go to TJ's, Ito's a cult following I guess. The merchandise is just different. It just depends on where you are from and your shopping desires.

[golfing eagles]

I do half my weekly shopping at Trader Joes and the other half at Wegmans. I will miss both when we move permanently in October. BTW our Trader Joes does not sell wine. Trader Joes has great prices on cheeses and unusual choices. Cookie Butter is their #1 seller. Think peanut butter with crushed up ginger snaps. Frozen foods are great especially the Mandarin Chicken. Every store is different. I have been in the one in Gainesville and could not find the products I was use to buying because a large portion of the store is wine. Tonight for dinner we are trying a new product: Chicken Pot Pie Raviolis.

Never been to a Trader Joe's, but will ABSOLUTELY miss Wegman's when we move in October as well.:sad:

[beachx4me]

Absolutely Love Trader Joes. I guess I fell in love with them when we lived In California. When I go to Winter Park I go to TJ's, Ito's a cult following I guess. The merchandise is just different. It just depends on where you are from and your shopping desires.

Had one close to us back in VA, I think you summed this up pretty well. It is smaller and different from your regular grocery stores, but they do have some great veggies, fruits, and especially frozen foods I have not seen in any other store.

[Justus]

Absolutely Love Trader Joes. I guess I fell in love with them when we lived In California. When I go to Winter Park I go to TJ's, Ito's a cult following I guess. The merchandise is just different. It just depends on where you are from and your shopping desires.

Missy, You hit the nail on the head! The merchandise is just "different". TJ's array of gourmet items is unusual and unforgettable. And the Holiday season is magical at TJ's, with all the Italian and German foods they import that help keep Holiday traditions alive. And as for Three Buck Chuck, we can laugh, but many of Chuck's cabernets have won gold medals in international wine competitions.

TJ's is not about driving out the competition...you would probably not abandon your regular grocery store to shop there exclusively. It's about expanding your access to specialty items that are generally unavailable anywhere else.

[manaboutown]

Homepage: Welcome | Trader Joe's (http://www.traderjoes.com/)

In here they say they plan to open in Davie, Florida...which I had never heard of. It is a town of 91K in Broward County. Wonder why THEM and not US?

Hope they don't think we are a bunch of old folks who wouldn't enjoy what they had to offer.

I know people who have a condo in Davie. It is near the intersection of I-95 and I-595, west of Ft. Lauderdale. Davie lies just inland of a very large coastal population.

[billlaur]

thumps down for t d..:loco:

[kstew43]

Homepage: Welcome | Trader Joe's (http://www.traderjoes.com/)

In here they say they plan to open in Davie, Florida...which I had never heard of. It is a town of 91K in Broward County. Wonder why THEM and not US?

Hope they don't think we are a bunch of old folks who wouldn't enjoy what they had to offer.

Davie is a vibrant city Horse country, surrounded by Ft Lauderdale, Weston. Plantations, Pembroke Pines and Many more. Lots of money and people.

Davie is laid out to be more country, horse stables, country stores and the such.

They just opened a Trader Joes about 5 miles down the road in Pines...much more money.....
Seems to be doing well.....althought I don't shop there....Don't see the great desire.... I'll take Publix and Sams.

[JerseyGirl.Blue]

I do half my weekly shopping at Trader Joes and the other half at Wegmans. I will miss both when we move permanently in October. BTW our Trader Joes does not sell wine. Trader Joes has great prices on cheeses and unusual choices. Cookie Butter is their #1 seller. Think peanut butter with crushed up ginger snaps. Frozen foods are great especially the Mandarin Chicken. Every store is different. I have been in the one in Gainesville and could not find the products I was use to buying because a large portion of the store is wine. Tonight for dinner we are trying a new product: Chicken Pot Pie Raviolis.
I must say I agree with Sally, although I have only been in the Trader Joe's in NJ and then just last week in Orlando. My niece and I were loving just about everything... especially the "Cookie butter"! Yummy.. "Are there any Wegmans somewhere in FL and near TV?" Now that store is just amazing!

[simpkinp]

For those who don't read Consumer Reports magazine I can tell you that frequently Trader Joe's items in a given category are given top ratings for quality and are rated Best Buy. Haven't been to one in years. I would definitely love to get some of their specialty items. I also like Aldi's, especially when they bring in the Nuremberg Brats and other German specialties. His brother has Litles or something like that. Saw one outside of Dublin, Ireland

[golfing eagles]

Unfortunetly no Wegman's anywhere near TV. They are just now expanding into Virginia---info from their website

[NYGUY]

...."Are there any Wegmans somewhere in FL and near TV?" Now that store is just amazing!

Wegman's is consistently ranked #1 in the country, and It should be!! Unfortunately, the closest to The Villages is in Virginia.

I have only been in the Trader Joe's in Tallahassee and was surprised to find it to be not much more than a packaged goods store.

[CFrance]

Wegman's is consistently ranked #1 in the country, and It should be!! Unfortunately, the closest to The Villages is in Virginia.

I have only been in the Trader Joe's in Tallahassee and was surprised to find it to be not much more than a packaged goods store.
And that is what it is. Those who like it, like it for the quality of the package goods and frozen items it has. They also have a decent cheese selection, the likes of which you won't find in Publix or WD. And good fresh cookies. I like their coffee.

If I want decent non-packaged goods, like prepared foods, I would go to The Fresh Market.

I don't even understand why this thread was started. Was it just to bash TJ's? If you don't like it, don't lobby to have one. Otherwise, why stir the pot? It's not like TJ's is Tire Choice or something...

[2BNTV]

Homepage: Welcome | Trader Joe's (http://www.traderjoes.com/)

In here they say they plan to open in Davie, Florida...which I had never heard of. It is a town of 91K in Broward County. Wonder why THEM and not US?

Hope they don't think we are a bunch of old folks who wouldn't enjoy what they had to offer.

Davie FL is next to Ft. Lauderdale. A couple of blocks going west from my son's house and your in Davie from Ft. Lauderdale.

TJ's is a store to buy some items but I would never shop there for all the items I would need from a grocery store, but that's me. I think TV is big enough to warrant a TJ's, here. IMHO

I would like to see one in TV, just like we had wanted a Home Goods and that will be a reality, this fall. Life's good!!!!

[TJ_Woody]

As a native Californian who lived most of my life in Southern California I'm very familiar with TJ's. The thing about them is that they carry a lot of unique items and their quality on most things seems to be just a cut above. For those who don't know it, TJ's and Aldi's are ownned by the same company. From the wikipedia article on TJ's:

Trader Joe's was founded by Joe Coulombe and has been owned since 1979 by a German family trust established by Aldi Nord's owner Theo Albrecht. The chain has offices in Monrovia, California, and Boston, Massachusetts.

[Cisco Kid]

How is TJ ' Mayo :jester:

[gerryann]

And that is what it is. Those who like it, like it for the quality of the package goods and frozen items it has. They also have a decent cheese selection, the likes of which you won't find in Publix or WD. And good fresh cookies. I like their coffee.

If I want decent non-packaged goods, like prepared foods, I would go to The Fresh Market.

I don't even understand why this thread was started. Was it just to bash TJ's? If you don't like it, don't lobby to have one. Otherwise, why stir the pot? It's not like TJ's is Tire Choice or something...

No, I didnt start this thread to stir any pot. As I stated, I had never been in one and was surprised by the small size at this location.....that's all! I was simply asking if anyone knew if different stores are different sizes. I know NOTHING about their food. I can't bash a store that I know nothing about.

I decided to look for online reviews of this particular store in San Diego. This is what I found.
"Customer service at this particular store is just as great as anywhere else. That all being said, I am not a big fan of this location. It's by far the smallest TJ's i've been in and the only one where I felt cramped walking through it as I tried maneuvering between people. Sadly, I didn't even feel it was that packed, it's just that the store is that small."

So sorry that I upset anyone. I would love to see a Trader Joes here in TV.

[Vernster]

Homepage: Welcome | Trader Joe's (http://www.traderjoes.com/)

In here they say they plan to open in Davie, Florida...which I had never heard of. It is a town of 91K in Broward County. Wonder why THEM and not US?

Hope they don't think we are a bunch of old folks who wouldn't enjoy what they had to offer.

Trader Joe's almost alway opens their stores in or just outside of a college town.

[Vernster]

Missy, You hit the nail on the head! The merchandise is just "different". TJ's array of gourmet items is unusual and unforgettable. And the Holiday season is magical at TJ's, with all the Italian and German foods they import that help keep Holiday traditions alive. And as for Three Buck Chuck, we can laugh, but many of Chuck's cabernets have won gold medals in international wine competitions.

TJ's is not about driving out the competition...you would probably not abandon your regular grocery store to shop there exclusively. It's about expanding your access to specialty items that are generally unavailable anywhere else.

Great post. Agree completely.

[coffeebean]

I know people who have a condo in Davie. It is near the intersection of I-95 and I-595, west of Ft. Lauderdale. Davie lies just inland of a very large coastal population.

Hubby and I lived in Davie, Florida for 10 years. Lots of horse country there. Downtown Davie looks like an old western town. The Dolphins football team training camp is in Davie.

[coffeebean]

post deleted. Sorry.