Trader Joe's

[redwitch]

Just got my notice from Trader Joe's -- the Gainesville store will open on December 12th! Yippee!!! Seriously happy dance. :pepper2: :pepper2: :pepper2:

Trader Joe's Gainesville (764)
Opening December 12th!
3724 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville, FL 32608
352-378-9321

[shalomuall]

Woohoo! how far of a ride is it? Thanks for the info. Have a great day.

[cquick]

Just got my notice from Trader Joe's -- the Gainesville store will open on December 12th! Yippee!!! Seriously happy dance. :pepper2: :pepper2: :pepper2:

Trader Joe's Gainesville (764)
Opening December 12th!
3724 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville, FL 32608
352-378-9321

yup, so did my hubby....he's already planning a trip up there! He went to his first one last month when he went to Palo Alto, CA to visit our son.

[jblum315]

I'm planning to drive to Trader Joe's on Friday Dec. 14. I have room for two more in my car. Please PM me if you'd like to come along.
It's about 65 miles, should take about 1 1/2 hrs.




Just got my notice from Trader Joe's -- the Gainesville store will open on December 12th! Yippee!!! Seriously happy dance. :pepper2: :pepper2: :pepper2:

Trader Joe's Gainesville (764)
Opening December 12th!
3724 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville, FL 32608
352-378-9321

[spk7951]

Great timing! My wife has an appointment at Shands on the 13th so we will be making a stop on the way home.

[redwitch]

I'm planning to drive to Trader Joe's on Friday Dec. 14. I have room for two more in my car. Please PM me if you'd like to come along.
It's about 65 miles, should take about 1 1/2 hrs.

And I'm riding shotgun! (Unless she'll let me drive rofl.)

[Yorio]

Wished Whole Foods and Cotsco were closer than Orlando but could some one explain to me the best of Trader Joe's that one would drive an hour and a half to go there? Unless, it is to purchase Two Buck Chuck, am wondering what other goodies are there which I haven't discovered. For example I find great smoked salmon in Cotsco and value for money.

[redwitch]

I can't say I have any particular favorite items except their balsamic vinegar and XVOO but I just generally love shopping there. Always walk out with more than I planned and have never been disappointed with my purchases. And this is from a person who truly hates shopping. I'd rather get 3 shots in the same arm in 5 minutes than go into a store if I had my druthers.

[Cgirmo]

It is like Christmas to a foodie. My closest one is a two hour drive and always worth the trip. You never know what you'll find because of the rotation of goodies. Staples you can depend on..my favorites are pizza dough, Thai cashews, frozen fried rice, frozen roasted corn kernals, tuna steaks, bakery goods. Oh I'll just stop cause I am having withdrawals. OH for Thanksgiving they have pumpkin raviolis!

[Mack184]

I'll save my dancing until they open a Wegman's store in TV. I'm guessing I won't ever have to dance.

[capecodbob]

Got Trader Joe's up here on Cape Cod but I'd trade it for Market Basket!
Any Market Basket near the Villages?
Bob

[Mack184]

Got Trader Joe's up here on Cape Cod but I'd trade it for Market Basket!
Any Market Basket near the Villages?
Bob
What is "Market Basket"? Where are they based? Have never seen one in the northeast or mid-Atlantic.

[capecodbob]

What is "Market Basket"? Where are they based? Have never seen one in the northeast or mid-Atlantic.

Don't know where BM is based out of but they opened one right next to the Cape Cod Canal and it's a huge hit. Best prices and the outgun all the chain markets up this way. You might want to Google them and take a look.
Bob

[Ceafolks]

Got Trader Joe's up here on Cape Cod but I'd trade it for Market Basket!
Any Market Basket near the Villages?
Bob

There is a Market Basket on the Cape. It's in Bourne just over the bridge. :pepper2:

[Ooper]

I have to say I agree with a previous poster. Never heard of Trader Joes and I assume that it is just a grocery store where a turkey is a turkey and ham is ham. Why would anyone drive over 120 miles to buy groceries when you can get to a store on your golf cart? What is the draw?

[jblum315]

You won't know unless you go there.

[Mack184]

I have to say I agree with a previous poster. Never heard of Trader Joes and I assume that it is just a grocery store where a turkey is a turkey and ham is ham. Why would anyone drive over 120 miles to buy groceries when you can get to a store on your golf cart? What is the draw?
I don't know in what areas all of Trader Joe's stores are located but they are a big, big thing with the upper-middles & richies here in the Baltimore area. I've been in our local one just once, and I left with the same impression I had the one time I went to one of the local Whole Foods outlets. If you're not of a certain political persuasion and didn't run with the hippies you weren't their kind of people.

Thankfully for us, Wegman's is exploding in this area in a big way, and there are now 3 Wegman's stores in the Baltimore metro. Something I will dearly miss once we are permanent in TV area.

[applesoffh]

I don't know in what areas all of Trader Joe's stores are located but they are a big, big thing with the upper-middles & richies here in the Baltimore area. I've been in our local one just once, and I left with the same impression I had the one time I went to one of the local Whole Foods outlets. If you're not of a certain political persuasion and didn't run with the hippies you weren't their kind of people.

Thankfully for us, Wegman's is exploding in this area in a big way, and there are now 3 Wegman's stores in the Baltimore metro. Something I will dearly miss once we are permanent in TV area.

Wow...I don't know about the Baltimore area but Trader Joe's has been a hit everywhere...regardless of the political persuasion of the various shoppers. Most of the goods are self-branded; they are, for the most part, substantially less expensive than the grocery chains (especially in the New York area), offer high quality goods consistantly, and a great variety of cheeses, baked goods, coffees and teas, etc. Generally not huge like Whole Foods, not as expensive as Whole Foods and there is really no fresh meats or fish to speak of (some, yes...but not lots, ad no custom butchering). In addition, they offer a large variety of packaged foods not laced with additives, preservatives, artficial sweeteners, etc.

Agree that Wegman's is a terrific supermarket chain but, alas, there are none down here...considering the "political persuasion" of a majority of Villagers.

[Moderator]

The topic is Trader Joes coming to Gainsville. Please do not turn this into a political discussion and let's get back on topic.

Thank you.

[applesoffh]

The topic is Trader Joes coming to Gainsville. Please do not turn this into a political discussion and let's get back on topic.

Thank you.

MY bad! Some people post stuff that just rankles me...won't happen again!

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I was going to stock up on wine from the trader Joe's back home over the holiday's but I guess now I won't have too

[casita37]

Wine? Do they have a house brand or just good prices on wine, in general?

[Mack184]

MY bad! Some people post stuff that just rankles me...won't happen again!
Well some people post things that rankle me. However, I was not making any sort of a blanket politcal statement. What I was doing was discussing MY personal experience at 2 local Baltimore stores. I don't know anything about the other stores within the chain, just what I experienced locally.

[Down Sized]

Traders Joes a grocery store?

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Wine? Do they have a house brand or just good prices on wine, in general?

House brand $2.99 and it's good

[GatorFan]

I love Trader Joes. Gainesville here I come.

[travelguy]

finally; now we won't have to put liquids in our checked baggage. now of we can only get them to open here in the villages.

[casita37]

House brand $2.99 and it's good

That's worth a trip to Gainsville!! Wine and olive oil....doesn't get much better. :)

[Shirleevee]

The topic is Trader Joes coming to Gainsville. Please do not turn this into a political discussion and let's get back on topic.

Thank you.

I miss the goat milk yogurt and the oil and the wine.........please come to The Villages Trader Joe!!!!!!!!!!:gc:

[bandsdavis]

What is "Market Basket"? Where are they based? Have never seen one in the northeast or mid-Atlantic.

Market Basket, aka Demoula's Market Basket, is a New England chain that is family owned. They have stores primarily in Mass and NH, perhaps a couple in Maine as well and maybe 1 or 2 in CT.

[Skip]

House brand $2.99 and it's good

It's still $1.99 in California. (Charles Shaw) Had some the other night in fact.

Skip

[getdul981]

It's still $1.99 in California. (Charles Shaw) Had some the other night in fact.

Skip

And that is why it is known as "Two Buck Chuck".

[jblum315]

That's worth a trip to Gainsville!! Wine and olive oil....doesn't get much better. :)

Also the best balsamic vinegar.
And go to the website (traderjoes.com) and click on products and guides, then click on quick meals, you will see a long list. ALL of them are good.

[Raen Dear]

Also fabulous chocolate covered crystallized ginger. Yum.

[lanabanana73]

I just made this soup using Trader Joe's Salsa Verde and it was the best post Thanksgiving soup EVER!!

Turkey enchilada verde soup | Homesick Texan (http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2012/11/turkey-enchilada-verde-soup_19.html)

[GatorFan]

Heard today that Trader Joes is opening a warehouse in Orlando. That means more stores in Florida.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Heard today that Trader Joes is opening a warehouse in Orlando. That means more stores in Florida.

Where did you hear it?

Bill :)

[Bogie Shooter]

:popcorn:

[Patty55]

Heard today that Trader Joes is opening a warehouse in Orlando. That means more stores in Florida.

Was it on the internet? I bet it was.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Then it's gotta be true!!!

:pepper2:

Pass some of that up this way, Bogie............. :D

Bill :wave:

[scotsman]

Let's start an E-mail campaign to Trader Joe's (http://www.traderjoes.com) to let them know there is a great market for them here in The Villages

[Indydealmaker]

Wished Whole Foods and Cotsco were closer than Orlando but could some one explain to me the best of Trader Joe's that one would drive an hour and a half to go there? Unless, it is to purchase Two Buck Chuck, am wondering what other goodies are there which I haven't discovered. For example I find great smoked salmon in Cotsco and value for money.

I hear they sell a really good TOXIC peanut butter.

[jblum315]

Let's start an E-mail campaign to Trader Joe's (http://www.traderjoes.com) to let them know there is a great market for them here in The Villages

We've been doing that off and on for years. At least it got them into Florida - Sarasota, Tarpon Springs, and now Gainesville. Maybe they are looking into The Villages.

[ght70]

We have been emailing and asking Trader Joe's to come to the Villages as well. Our "organic" produce options are slim in this area. We joined a local Organic Wholesale Co-op. Every two weeks, we put our order in online Sunday evening of whatever we like and pickup Tuesday. Its great because there are so many options of organic items, spices, oils, produce, meats, cheese and thousands of other items to choose from besides produce, all at CHEAPER prices than Publix. Its the next best thing from Trader Joe's!

[capecodbob]

I'm surprised Trader Joe's doesn't have a store near the Villages. We have one up here on Cape Cod and my wife really likes it.
Market Basket is another big favorite. They opened one just as you come on to Cape Cod and it's a big hit!! (might have mentioned this before)

Bob

[CaptJohn]

I hear they sell a really good TOXIC peanut butter.

You beat me to it! It's OK to buy it just don't take it internally! :laugh:

Trader Joe?s Voluntarily Recalls Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter Because of Possible Health Risk (http://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls/ucm320579)

[tracy1j]

Ght70, could you please share contact information for your organic o-op? That sounds really interesting! Thanks.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

We have been emailing and asking Trader Joe's to come to the Villages as well. Our "organic" produce options are slim in this area. We joined a local Organic Wholesale Co-op. Every two weeks, we put our order in online Sunday evening of whatever we like and pickup Tuesday. Its great because there are so many options of organic items, spices, oils, produce, meats, cheese and thousands of other items to choose from besides produce, all at CHEAPER prices than Publix. Its the next best thing from Trader Joe's!

sounds great please share

[tsew22]

I miss MarketBasket so much, the price of food here is high, and not a lot of good beef!!

[sunglow]

Trader Joe's has a lot of organic foods at really reasonable prices. Great wine selection and I love their Spanish olive oil which is cheap and rated as one of the best. I wish their was one closer. I also love Costco.

[sunglow]

Trader Joe's has very reasonable prices on organics. I also love their Spanish olive oil which is really inexpensive and got great reviews. They also have a good wine selection. All I need is a Costco and a Trader Joe's and I'm happy.:)

[ght70]

sounds great please share

If you are interested in the organic co-op, you can contact Falon, her email is

giveorganic@yahoo.com and she can send you the info!

Login page - Produce (http://foodclub.org/giveorganic/login)

[Villages Kahuna]

I was in Gainesville for other reasons this morning and stopped by the Trader Joe's on grand opening day. Whew! After circling the parking lot for 10 minutes looking for a spot, I had to commit grand larceny to get a basket to put stuff in. Then I waited in line about a half hour or so to pay for the fifty bucks worth of stuff that I probably shouldn't have purchased. Give it a week or so to let the "grand opening blues" clear. You'll be happier.

[sandybill2]

Visited Trader Joe's in Lexington, Ky----asked them about moving to "The Villages"---was told that once they have a shipping route; i.e.; Florida, etc., they will add more locations--- Even though they are part of Aldi's -their distribution is different---hoping now that there are a couple of locations in Florida--they might consider The Villages after all the emails, etc.

[Richard1366]

Wegman's is the very best grocery store in the US..I'm not the only one that thinks that..

[Chuckw]

Just got my notice from Trader Joe's -- the Gainesville store will open on December 12th! Yippee!!! Seriously happy dance. :pepper2: :pepper2: :pepper2:

Trader Joe's Gainesville (764)
Opening December 12th!
3724 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville, FL 32608
352-378-9321

It seems that quite a few of us are excited about TJs opening in Gainesville... I was looking on the TJ web site and got curious about their other relatively close location in Sarasota... It turns out that the Sarasota location is actually 9 miles closer to my house in TV than the one in Gainesville is. Curious: Has anyone gone to the Sarasota store since it opened? Is there something about Gainesville that makes it more attractive? Just asking,

[travelguy]

trader joe's is not owned by aldi; the family name is albrecht (german owned) and two different branches of the family own aldi and trader joe's respectfully. they are totally seperate companies and have no interconnection.
and i cannot wait to make the trip to gainesville.

[cquick]

It seems that quite a few of us are excited about TJs opening in Gainesville... I was looking on the TJ web site and got curious about their other relatively close location in Sarasota... It turns out that the Sarasota location is actually 9 miles closer to my house in TV than the one in Gainesville is. Curious: Has anyone gone to the Sarasota store since it opened? Is there something about Gainesville that makes it more attractive? Just asking,

Probably that Gainesvilles seems closer than Sarasota. I love the Bradenton/Sarasota area....my grandparents came down to Bradenton for 40 years.......we used to visit them almost every year....that's what got me hooked on Florida...well that and DISNEY

[spk7951]

It seems that quite a few of us are excited about TJs opening in Gainesville... I was looking on the TJ web site and got curious about their other relatively close location in Sarasota... It turns out that the Sarasota location is actually 9 miles closer to my house in TV than the one in Gainesville is. Curious: Has anyone gone to the Sarasota store since it opened? Is there something about Gainesville that makes it more attractive? Just asking,


I think one of us has it wrong. Trader Joe's in Gainesville shows as 59 miles from my house in Hadley and Sarasota shows as 138 miles. Came up with similar numbers when using Mapquest.

[jblum315]

I think one of us has it wrong. Trader Joe's in Gainesville shows as 59 miles from my house in Hadley and Sarasota shows as 138 miles. Came up with similar numbers when using Mapquest.

This is correct.

[gomoho]

Well I am currently in Wilmington NC and will go to a new Trader Joe's that opened here this month. Pretty excited 'cause I've never been in one of these stores. This store is 550 miles from my house in Hadley!

[spk7951]

Stopped at Trader Joe's in Gainesville this afternoon on our way back from Shands. We braved the crowds and probably spent about 20 minutes in the store and it took less than 10 minutes to check out. So busy they have police on duty in the parking lot.

The store is about 1/2 mile from the highway located on the north side of Archer Road next to the Best Buy.

[eremite06]

Stopped at Trader Joe's in Gainesville this afternoon on our way back from Shands. We braved the crowds and probably spent about 20 minutes in the store and it took less than 10 minutes to check out. So busy they have police on duty in the parking lot.

The store is about 1/2 mile from the highway located on the north side of Archer Road next to the Best Buy.

Thanks. We're going saturday.

[casita37]

Stopped at Trader Joe's in Gainesville this afternoon on our way back from Shands. We braved the crowds and probably spent about 20 minutes in the store and it took less than 10 minutes to check out. So busy they have police on duty in the parking lot.

The store is about 1/2 mile from the highway located on the north side of Archer Road next to the Best Buy.

So......how was it???? Did it live up to the hype?

[GatorFan]

I am going Saturday morning

[spk7951]

So......how was it???? Did it live up to the hype?


Can't really answer about living up to the hype because we have been "fans" of Trader Joe's for some time. Used to make a monthly trip to the one near us back when we lived in CT. But yes we still like the store and the unique selection of items they have. Picked up a few of the store brand items such as: eggplant parm, spinach dip, potato pancakes, couple of specialty pastas and some deserts. Not to be forgotten we got a case of "two buck Chuck" wine to let friends here try. I would also add that as much as we like Trader Joe's we would not make a special trip of over an hour one way to go there. But since we are in Gainesville once every three months then we most certainly would stop there. Would love to see one closer to TV.

[Sagitarius 6]

I wonder if we all wrote to Trader Joe's, Requesting that they open a store here, telling them how well we would support it. it might work and while we are at it write to Costco also. I would love, love to see them here.:pepper2::pepper2:

[chuckinca]

Saw tee shirts in Morro Bay, CA (Morro Bay, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morro_Bay,_California)) that said

Friends don't let friends drink two buck chuck.


.

[GatorFan]

Trader Joe's is opening a warehouse in Orlando. Just a matter of time before we get a Trader Joe's.

[casita37]

I am planning to drive up to TJ's this afternoon. I have a loaner car, from the dealership, with a full tank of gas....so why not?? :)

I have been making a list from some of the suggestions on the various threads. Anyone have any other "must get" items to suggest?

[cquick]

Friends don't let friends drink two buck chuck.
.

Your cat looks exactly like our son's cat, Torrie....

and I would let my friends drink two buck chuck...they wouldn't know the difference.....sorry friends, but it's true!:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[casita37]

I am planning to drive up to TJ's this afternoon. I have a loaner car, from the dealership, with a full tank of gas....so why not?? :)

I have been making a list from some of the suggestions on the various threads. Anyone have any other "must get" items to suggest?

I am bumping this just because the last post turned over a new page, and I don't want my inquiry to get lost. Thanks....

[eremite06]

Bought a case of "Three Buck Chuck." Place was packed. Made me nervous being amongst the crowd inside and out. Too used to the Villages, I guess!

I didn't see how you can order online. I did request, on the site, for them to locate one in the Villages. BTW, there was an article in the SUN about TJ's yesterday.

[Sagitarius 6]

If everyone sent them a e-mail requesting that they open here, it may help, traderjoes.com about us, cust. feedback fill out form.:MOJE_whot:

[casita37]

Took about 1.5 hours to get there. The shopping center was swamped....of course, Christmas shopping. Trader Joe's was quite busy, but not unmanageable. The staff were very pleasant and helped me find a few things.

I bought EVOO, vinegar, spag. sauce, canned soup (delicious....had it for dinner), coffee, tea, 4 cans of beans, 2 stuffed flounder, a large chicken pot pie, applesauce, large olives, kale chips, nut mix, non-cured ham (sandwich slice), granola, organic xl eggs, brie cheese, pita chips, cocktail sauce, fresh salsa, 2 bottles sparkling water. My total was $81.13.

Looking at my list, that seems high, but truly, I was pleased with the prices. Much of what I bought was organic and/or large size, etc.

As I was looking at the 2 buck chuck, a lady made a face, shook her head, and said it was really bad. I usuall would have bought at least one bottle to decide for myself, but I just tossed a partial bottle of more expensive wine and didn't feel like wasting more. I'll get around to it one of these days. Will be going back every other month, or so.....maybe....Not a bad day trip, if you work in lunch or some other entertainment.

[Debfrommaine]

It seems that quite a few of us are excited about TJs opening in Gainesville... I was looking on the TJ web site and got curious about their other relatively close location in Sarasota... It turns out that the Sarasota location is actually 9 miles closer to my house in TV than the one in Gainesville is. Curious: Has anyone gone to the Sarasota store since it opened? Is there something about Gainesville that makes it more attractive? Just asking, I've been to the Sarasota store 4x since they opened. Very nice, crowded but doable. Store about the same size as the one in Maine, good variety.

[GatorFan]

Next exit North is Gainesville Mall. I spent part of the day there and stopped at Trader Joe's on the way back.

[jamarcus]

Wife and I just got back from Trader Joes. Long ride, fun store, good pricing, can't beat two buck Chuck ( now three buck Chuck) BUT I don't think it is worth driving for an hour to get there. Time will tell.

[cbg150]

If everyone sent them a e-mail requesting that they open here, it may help, traderjoes.com about us, cust. feedback fill out form.:MOJE_whot:

Good idea! I just filled out my form! Thanks for the suggestion!:bigbow: