[pooh]

This past Sunday, Mike and I made the northward trek to Gainesville...we were going to check out Trader Joe's. We stopped in one in Chicago last year when visiting the kids, but since we had such a long drive home, we didn't get anything. Gainesville is only a bit over an hour away and ice chests and cold packs would allow frozen and cold items to make it to our fridge/freezer safely.

Apparently lots of people wanted to be at Trader Joe's this day so our shopping adventure made Publix in January look uncrowded...
Getting the lay of the land wasn't easy, so many wanted to stop, look, ponder, ask questions of their shopping partner and little ones absolutely DID NOT want to be there! So it was look as we could, grab what we could and get the heck back on the road to home.

Once home we saw we had picked a few item that might determine if another trip would be worth the drive back some time. Well, after ingesting some of the items we purchased, I think we'll make another trip, but it will not be on a Sunday at lunchtime! We bought pulled pork in smoky BBQ sauce.....very good with a bit of heat and not excessive sauce, plenty of pork. Tonight we enjoyed frozen sliced garlic potatoes in Parmesan sauce....delicious. For desert I had one of their frozen creme brûlées....4 small ones per container. Mike had a chocolate chip lava cookie. The creme brûlées was delicious. Mike said the cookie was good, not outstanding, but good.

We have prepared rack of lamb and chicken parm yet to try, but if they are as good as what we've enjoyed so far, YUM!!!

And, the cost for all these goodies was very reasonable....I was surprised when the checker tallied up the cost of our purchases.

Next trip, we'll arrive much earlier, it will be a weekday and I'll bring every cooler I own....

[SALYBOW]

Glad to hear it. I love the place. Take Me too!

[janmcn]

This news doesn't help residents of The Villages, but this week it was announced that Trader Joe's has applied for permits to build their latest store in South Tampa.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by janmcn

This news doesn't help residents of The Villages, but this week it was announced that Trader Joe's has applied for permits to build their latest store in South Tampa.

so if you fly into Tampa trip to TJs...one and done

[GatorFan]

I also went his past Sunday. Trader Joes is the best.

[redwitch]

They also have really good potstickers and shu mai.

[NotGolfer]

A friend and I went up there recently (on a week day)...it was busy but not like Publix @ Colony in the winter or as the OP said. I'd bet any weekend/day would be worse. We did see many doing what appeared to be their weekly grocery trip. I'd certainly incorporate that idea into my schedule sometime. It's an easy trip and find to get there. PLUS if you go to the next Freeway exit you will find more restaurants and a very good mall as well...so it would make for an excellent "day-trip" for sure. Just don't like driving I-75 all that much!

[spk7951]

We stopped at Trader Joes yesterday afternoon on the way back from Shands. Our visits there have been mid afternoon, not too bad with shoppers and fairly easy to navigate around the store. Came back home with quite a bit to try out, namely the chocolate lava cakes!

[aabuono]

I just found out that Trader Joes has confirmed that they will be coming into Winter Park next year - they have already signed a lease. Iguess that will be another option for us !!!

[THE NEWCOMER]

How much money would you pay for a bus trip to TRADER JOES during the week? Bus/Mini Van leaves from the Villages drives to Trader Joes stay two hours and returns. Basically, it would be a 4-4 1/2 hour round trip. I believe with the amount of postings it would be practical. Just an idea that someone should look into!

[jblum315]

Could we take a cooler? The van/bus would have to have a pretty large storage area, I know I would have at least 4 bags and a cooler

[asianthree]

eating breakfast from TJs...pita chips with sea salt and classic hummus....mmmm

[THE NEWCOMER]

Originally Posted by jblum315

Could we take a cooler? The van/bus would have to have a pretty large storage area, I know I would have at least 4 bags and a cooler

SURE, looks like we need a bus with storage underneath. I did the math and with my Honda Element it would cost me about 25.00 in gas round trip
(132 miles).

[THE NEWCOMER]

Originally Posted by THE NEWCOMER

How much money would you pay for a bus trip to TRADER JOES during the week? Bus/Mini Van leaves from the Villages drives to Trader Joes stay two hours and returns. Basically, it would be a 4-4 1/2 hour round trip. I believe with the amount of postings it would be practical. Just an idea that someone should look into!

Originally Posted by jblum315

Could we take a cooler? The van/bus would have to have a pretty large storage area, I know I would have at least 4 bags and a cooler

Originally Posted by THE NEWCOMER

SURE, looks like we need a bus with storage underneath.

Looks like we need to add two stops when we do are bus trip! Krispy Creme and DQ! No food cops allowed! LOL!

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by aabuono

I just found out that Trader Joes has confirmed that they will be coming into Winter Park next year - they have already signed a lease. Iguess that will be another option for us !!!

How far away is Winter Park. All those Winters confuse me.