[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

TJ? no thanx...been to one here up north...if i feel like overpaying for my groceries in tv - i'll just go to fresh market...we have enough grocery stores in tv now. i'd rather see a christmas tree shops move in to where porters used to be!

Which former Porters location?

(across for 441 Wally World or across from Del Webb Spruce Creek)

(there was a Christmas Tree and ornament shop in Spanish Springs near Too Jays but it went bye bye)


.

[momesu]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Fresh Market seems to have many of the things that were mentioned for TJ's.

But at a higher price. I visited Fresh Market with a friend when I was down in January and it was very nice. However, I would equate it more with Whole Foods than Trader Joes.
Suzanne

[momesu]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

TJ? no thanx...been to one here up north...if i feel like overpaying for my groceries in tv - i'll just go to fresh market...we have enough grocery stores in tv now. i'd rather see a christmas tree shops move in to where porters used to be!

That's interesting the Trader Joe in my town has very good prices and much better quality than any of the local grocery chains. I will really miss my TJ's when I move.
Suzanne

[Lou and Carolyn C.]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

TJ? no thanx...been to one here up north...if i feel like overpaying for my groceries in tv - i'll just go to fresh market...we have enough grocery stores in tv now. i'd rather see a christmas tree shops move in to where porters used to be!

I love the Christmas Tree Shop(s) in Massachusetts/New England, they have a variety of items and very reasonably priced, would love to see one pop up around The Villages area.

RE: Trader Joe's, well personally I can take it or leave it, however they do have Two-Buck Chuck - AKA "Charles Shaw" for $2.00 a bottle.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

TJ? no thanx...been to one here up north...if i feel like overpaying for my groceries in tv - i'll just go to fresh market...we have enough grocery stores in tv now. i'd rather see a christmas tree shops move in to where porters used to be!

agree!

I've said this many times on TOTV but I'll bring it up again. TJ's is not cheap. Here in Norton I have access to all major chains (Stop & Shop; Shaws; Hannafords (known as Sweetbay in FL); TJ's and others). By far, and I mean by far, the cheapest is Market Basket. I have done actual grocery list receipt matching and Market Basket is over 34% cheaper than the next lowest.

It's tough to compare TJ's since they aren't really a full service grocery store anyway. They have some items you can't get at the other places but not enough for me to consider them for weekly grocery buying. And the items that do match up 1 for 1 average 45% higher than Market Basket.

I really think the Trader Joe debate is similar to the pizza and ice cream debates we have from time to time. It is very parochial. (i.e. what you are used to is always better in your mind). Personally I base it most on cost.

[Boudicca]

One of the FEW things I miss about our hometown in VA, good old Trader Joe's. Would love to have one here.

[graciegirl]

Haven't ever been to Trader Joes. I have been to Fresh Market and it is nice, but I see a lot of things already put together to take home and heat up, and some nice deli things, and some lovely fruits and vegetables, but it doesn't have a lot of stuff I depend on, like Spot Shot for my carpet and other things that I use for depression like

Little Debbies....


AND it is rather pricey. And I cook.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by jblum315

There have been several letter writing and emailing efforts to get Trader Joe's here. Sadly, I don't think it's going to happen. The closest one is in Atlanta. They have a distribution problem, i.e. can't go too far from their distribution centers.

Then... They should move their distribution center.....

[manaboutown]

TJ's is good for some things, not so much for others. I have been shopping them since I first moved to SoCal in 1990. They finally extended into NM a few years back, first Santa Fe and then Albuquerque. I also like Bristol Farms and Gelson's in SoCal. Kellers, out of Southern Colorado has been in NM many years and sells wonderful organic beef, eggs, lamb, chicken and more.

My favorite market of all is called Central Market in Ft. Worth, TX. I think they originated in San Antonio and also are in another city in Texas.

I look forward to spending all of October in TV. Checking out where I can find high quality groceries is at the top on my to-do list. Not only an army travels on its stomach.

[angiefox10]

I remember seeing something like "Fresh Market" in The Villages. I was looking for something like a "Whole Foods". Maybe someone can comment on that while we are one the subject. AND... Is Trader Joes like a Whole Foods?

[villagegolfer]

Do not know if I spelled it correctly. Went there a few weeks ago. Interesting place.

[bxmt54]

They are actually owned by the same parent company. Usually where there is one you will find the other there shortly. Since Aldi's hasn't been near TV to long Trader Joe's may show up soon.

From Wikipedia: Both operate in the United States; Aldi Nord operates the Trader Joe's niche food stores, while Aldi Süd operates the main Aldi stores in the country.

From the NYT:

The New York Times has an interesting look at Aldi, the German-owned discount chain that's anything but a superstore — it features a small selection of private label products aimed at the consumer who doesn't really care what supposedly "choosy Moms choose."

The article made an interesting point: Aldi is basically Trader Joe's without the marketing. According to the NYT, Trader Joe's is even owned by an Albrecht
family trust — the "Al" in "Aldi."

[chuckinca]

When we shop at Aldi's, Trader Joe's, Fresh Market and Whole Earth it is mainly for specialty items not available at Safeway, Publix, Winn Dixie or Walmart.
Probably just get about a half dozen items at the specialty stores about every three months while going to the larger stores nearly every day.


.

[lawatha]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Haven't ever been to Trader Joes. I have been to Fresh Market and it is nice, but I see a lot of things already put together to take home and heat up, and some nice deli things, and some lovely fruits and vegetables, but it doesn't have a lot of stuff I depend on, like Spot Shot for my carpet and other things that I use for depression like

Little Debbies....


AND it is rather pricey. And I cook.

Graciegirl- that made me laugh.

I've never lived close enough to a Trader Joe's to shop there regularly, but have been to one in Portland OR and another one in Pismo Beach, CA. It's fun to shop there occasionally, but I don't think I'd shop there on a regular basis- they seem pricey to me. Except for that two-buck-chuck. Can't beat it and my untrained taste-buds can't tell the difference between a 20 dollar bottle of wine and a 2 dollar bottle of wine anyway.

[Uptown Girl]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

I remember seeing something like "Fresh Market" in The Villages. I was looking for something like a "Whole Foods". Maybe someone can comment on that while we are one the subject. AND... Is Trader Joes like a Whole Foods?

Hi Angie,
Trader Joe's is similar to Whole Foods but each section is whole lot smaller. They carry organics, imports and many of their own brand items. Also, a modest assortment of health food. Most everything is pretty tasty and some things are rather unique. It's kind of a "once in a while" specialty grocery store.

You won't see any of the brands you see in a typical grocery store. It's not a place to buy Tide or toilet paper. But they have the best triple ginger gingersnaps in the universe. And everyone who works there wears hawaiian shirts and a happy face.