Grocery Store like Trader Joes
 

Does anyone know if there is a store similar to Trader Joe's in our area?

Fresh Market, maybe?

Not even close. For some reason they have not expressed an interest in coming here.

Soon-to-be open Sprouts market is not Trader Joes, but might give you another option from Publix/Winn Dixie/Walmart/Aldi's choices.

Withdrawal from 5 TJ’s within 25 minutes of our house, up north. Now we just head up to Gainesville every 3-4 weeks, get lunch, stop at Whole Foods and TJ,s load our yeti and drive home. Hopefully in 6 months we can stop at new Buc-ee’s In Ocala on the way back:mmmm:

For those who shopped sprouts, they know the store, and may be happy one is coming soon. For those who haven’t shopped, it may be a disappointing store, sometimes on the very expensive side, unless it’s on sale. Sprouts was only on my list if I was headed in that plaza. I never just went shopping there. Otherwise I could find better products at TJ’s, and specialty ethnic grocery.

I guess I consider them similar because I don't like either one.

I've been in Trader Joe's a handful of times. I never saw why people love them. To me, Fresh Market is far and above TJ's. Its like comparing Wegman's to Winn Dixie.

Wegman's would be a huge improvement to The Villages. I shop at Publix, but Wegman's is at least 3 times better.

Rather than shop Publix, or Winn. Kroger’s delivery is worth every penny you save. Today asked for 2 green, 2 slightly yellow and 3 very ripe banana’s. All came perfect as ordered. Note in box for very ripe, enjoy ripe bananas on us. With a smiley face.

There's a TJs in Orlando & in Gainesville. I wish they would open one closer. I also think they have removed the page that used to allow you to suggest new locations for them to look at.

Wegman’s are awesome!

Everyone one likes what they like. I have no desire to shop Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. Also, I would take Publix or Winn Dixie over Wegmans any day, do not like Wegmans at all.

Where we lived in NJ there were several TJ fairly close. Never purchased a single item in any of them. Wegman's was several miles awa. I did all of my shopping at Wegman's. In TV I lile FM and Publix. Looking forward to Sprouts opening.

TJ has an exclusive on our favorite wine so we do go periodically and buy a case. Also produce is good but find Sams better.

They do have very friendly and helpful employees

There are at least 3 Aldi's near The Villages. Similar business model. Trader Joes was a spin off of the original Aldi's in Germany, when 2 brothers disagreed about selling cigarettes in their stores.

Trader Joes is bit more eclectic than Aldi's, but similar experiences.

Better than Trader Joe is Lidl which unfortunately has no stores in Florida at this time

We go to TJ’s every month and come home with a full cooler of stuff. I always
buy my favorite wine there so come home with a case if I’m lucky. If anyone wants to trade off going there please PM me! We go to Orlando and the trip is always intense with heavy traffic.

I believe Aldi is also associated with Lidl because of the brothers relatiopnship

I find Trader Joe’s the place to go if you want blue chips and the like so I don’t go. Aldi has some decent none food items but 90% of the food they sell if off, off, off main line food. Names I have never heard of so we stay away.

I recently moved to TV and miss TJ terribly so this post was very helpful! Looks like I’ll be driving to Gainesville once a month ������

Yes, Walmart.

Trader Joe's is a subsidiary of ALDI's. Each has a different target market with TJ focused more on a younger demographic.

Me too!

Earth Origins Market 1917 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470

Aldi’s is the brother of Trader Joe’s.

yes
 

Fresh Market is great and my favorites in north Dallas were Sprouts, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's

Fresh market on 466

I used to like Trader Joes back when I lived in Vegas and was into juicing. They had some neat items but nothing that I've really missed since I stopped juicing and shopping there. Would love a place that sells fresh cold pressed juices because it got pretty messy doing my own and I'm just lazy to continue doing all that myself after a few years of it.

Recently discovered Fresh Market and after months of asking and searching found my nut butter fix! And at a very reasonable price. Okay so they have those in the Brownwood farmer's market on Saturdays but at $15 a jar much too expensive. And flavors they add to it while tasty just make the texture too goopy. At Fresh Market I bought almond and cashew butter freshly ground. The other brands sitting around in jars in other stores was just nasty. I always like to grind my own or have them already freshly ground and waiting a few days to be purchased.

As for Whole Foods I walked in there once a few years ago, looked at the prices and walked out. I will visit the Sprouts here once it's finished though.

Like another here said, everyone likes what they like. But I'll gladly check out some of the stores I haven't been to yet that were mentioned in the thread.

Wegmans
 

Wegmans is far superior to Winn Dixie and Publix. And their prices, for the most part, are lower that Publix. Just visited Rochester and went to Wegmans. They need to expand to Florida.

Where we moved here "from"....there was a T.J., Aldi (NO "s" at the end) and I at that time didn't see the attraction. I tried TJ's but just didn't care for it. As others said---we ALL like what we like. In the midwest we had Woodman's---a very large store but well stocked. I've never lamented on not having one here!! Coming to a new area, one has to figure out where they want to get their provisions. Another OP mentioned Kroger Delivery. I prefer that lately due to the "high season" traffic and crowds. Otherwise do shop at Publix for some items and Aldi for others. Kroger Delivery is great---google them and decide for yourself. You can pick your time of day and they're fairly prompt. Will carry in the bags and even place them on your kitchen counter. I'm not familiar with Wegman's or Lidl. There is another store not mentioned here but used to be raved about quite often. One came to Milwaukee a few years ago and I checked it out when we were up there visiting. Wasn't impressed. So no loss that I can't recall it's name.

We're thinking of trying Kroger's. Thanks for letting me know that I can do that with our bananas. Really miss our King Soopers (Krogers) in Colorado. So much better than the choices we have here.

Thanks for the responses
 

Thanks everyone for your responses. I guess I'll have to check out Fresh nd Sprouts.

What I am really looking for is easy and tasty quick meals, beyond the chicken and pizza offered in most stores. Trader Joes is a place we can occasionally shop in Virginia and we really like some of the Mexican and Asian prepared meals and side dishes that TJs offers. Anyway, I sure appreciate all the discussion and perspectives.

Our favorite for almond butter and raw pumpkin seeds is Earth Fare in Ocala. Such a shame that the Earth Fare here wasn't supported although the construction definitely worked against them.

I know what you mean. The first time I went there I just didn’t get it. But then I bought several items in the frozen food aisle. Wow, amazing and unique meals can be found. So delicious I would order them in a restaurant. They also have cookies and candies that are fantastic. It’s not somewhere I personally would go for all my groceries but I wish it was closer for my frozen dinner fix.

Aldi's is not a "brother" of Trader Joe's, nor is Trader Joe's it a subsidiary of Aldi's.

Are ALDI and Trader Joe's the same company? - Almost All ALDI

I agree, Krogers has good quality and listens to the customer. Great prices. Sort of between Publix and Fresh Market.

Wegman’s, I love Wegman’s in Canandaigua. The Danny Wegman has a “Cottage” just down the road from us on the west side of the lake.

Ohiobuckeye
 

I can’t think of anything but I had to pick something in TV, it would be Sam’s. Otherwise Nothing!

^ This! The first Trader Joe's in which I ever shopped was near the original. I shopped in La Crescenta, which is immediately adjacent to the City of Pasadena (of Rose Bowl and Little Old Lady From fame) the home of the original small grocery store founded by Joe Coulombe back in 1967.

We need a wegmans!!!