Trader Joes...

[luckey-lasvegas]

The Lemonade is also Wonderful! I buy a gallon a week during the summer time.

 

[KPmom]

I almost forgot, we LOVE the reduced sugar perserves, they are wonderful and come in 5 or 6 flavors. Also check out the website as there are some interesting ideas there, and there is a fearless flyer that you can get in the store that has all the new stuff listed. My local TJ's has a "new item" end cap that is always fun to check out. ~Mandy

 

[HaleyB]

You guys are killing me. We used to live within walking distance of a TJ's. I remember when they first started to carry produce... I have had to suffer without them for the last 9 1/2 years. So sad.

I email them all the time asking for a store in Texas... They are in Arizonia. I think that is as close as it gets. About a days drive away. A bit too far even for 2 buck chuck and potstickers.

I need a TJ's care package!

 

[Mickey527]

I just love to hear all the great things people say about TJ's.
I shop there as often as I can but I have something new from TJ's coming into my house on a daily basis. I can honestly say that at three people in my immediate family have tried everything in their stock.
My oldest son is a manager of the Westport store, my youngest son has worked at TJ's for over a year and my middle son just became an employee after putting in a year at Stop and Shop and a year at Shaws. He says that working at TJ's is the best thing he has done for himself in years. He works hard and they expect you to work when you are there, but they all have such fun when they work. It is a really fun place to work.
TJ's encourages every employee to try every item. They encourage employees to open packages and bring the item into the break room for everyone to try. You can't promote a product if you have never tasted it.
Every product I have bought has been reasonably priced and the quality is so much better than what you find in a local grocery store. And it is all reasonably healthy. If it is a sugar food like the fruit rollups someone mentioned it is made from pure fruit, not preservatives and extra sugars.
And yes, the pumpkin cheescake is fantastic. I love the mango ice cream balls that have a mango flavored dough around them. Yum!
TJ's is in the process of moving down south along the East Coast, and they are now into SC, with plans to move into Georgia soon. Once they get into FL my son is planning on moving down there. He is not going to leave the TJ's family so he will stay where he is for now but he does want to live in FL someday.
Keep shopping at TJ's, they do plan on opening in all 50 states someday. Peggie

 

[Martha7]

We have a great TJ's here in Ann Arbor, and I wanted to reiterate that they have some terrific deals on wine! Back in California, people would sometimes buy a bottle of inexpensive wine, (it can be as cheap as three dollars!), open it and try it in the parking lot, and if it was good, go back in and buy a case! As a matter of fact, I think I'll take my in-laws there for a shopping excursion when they visit soon. They're from Texas and should love it! I also need to go in and look for some candy for our Christmas stockings!

 

[Cindy B]

The Trader Joe's near me ( in NJ and PA) don't sell wine. I wish they did. I'd try it if it was inexpensive.

I do love the Trader Joes but its a pain to get to. Its not a days drive away like some, its the next town over--and the parking lot is always bad--its in a high end shopping center. I'll go back after Christmas.

 

[LoriZH]

...has finally come to my hometown! I am quite excited since the only one I had heard of before was a store up in NY.
So...fill me in please! What should I expect? Is there a way to get good discounts? I am really excited about this place and want to be able to save money if I decide to shop here. What is so great about Trader Joe's?!

YEAH For you!! I LOVE TJ, I have one near where I work, they suppose to be coming to my town soon, hopefully.

Veggie Eggrolls and Jasmine Rice have now become our favorite quick meal at our house!!

ENJOY!

 

[chrissyk]

TJ's is in the process of moving down south along the East Coast, and they are now into SC, with plans to move into Georgia soon. Once they get into FL my son is planning on moving down there. He is not going to leave the TJ's family so he will stay where he is for now but he does want to live in FL someday.
Keep shopping at TJ's, they do plan on opening in all 50 states someday. Peggie

OMG, you just made my day! When are they coming to FL? I must know!!! I am desperate for a TJ's around here. I'd drive 2 hours to get to one, I swear. That's where I did all of our grocery shopping when I was in MA. I would cry tears of joy if we had a TJ's that I could go to even once a month. I could bring coolers and stock up. We NEED at TJ's here, because doing all of our shopping at Wild Oats is killing me. Their meat selection is so bad!

 

[disnutt]

We like their Indian simmer sauces and frozen naan. My kids love Indian food but it is too expensive to eat out like that with 3 kids. When we get a hankering for chicken tika masala we head to TJ for the simmer sauce and frozen naan. I cook up some of the jasmine rice and we go to town for about 1/4 the cost of the lunch buffet for the whole family.

The sauces say to cook chicken but we've done them w/ whatever meat and veggies we have around.

 

[ncbyrne]

My mother-in-law gave us a TJ gift certificate for Christmas last year. AWESOME gift. We let her know just how much we loved it, so I'm hoping for a repeat gift this year.

 

[Martha7]

What a great gift idea!

 

[Mickey527]

Chrissyk,
I hate to let you down like this but TJ will be in FL ASAP but according to my son they will not move down there until they have a wharehouse closer to the Southern states. They have stores right now in NC and I think upper SC, and have plans on building a warehouse in SC. After that they will move further south, so I would say in about 3-4 years or more.
Sorry, but I would be happy to bring you anything you want from CT if you pay my gas. lol... I will have him ask if they have made any further plans at his next managers meeting. They always discuss further development during those meetings. Peggie

 

[chrissyk]

Chrissyk,
I hate to let you down like this but TJ will be in FL ASAP but according to my son they will not move down there until they have a wharehouse closer to the Southern states. They have stores right now in NC and I think upper SC, and have plans on building a warehouse in SC. After that they will move further south, so I would say in about 3-4 years or more.
Sorry, but I would be happy to bring you anything you want from CT if you pay my gas. lol... I will have him ask if they have made any further plans at his next managers meeting. They always discuss further development during those meetings. Peggie

3-4 years is better than never! As long as I know that they're coming eventually, I'll be happy. I'd love to hear what they say about it at your son's next manager meeting. You'd think that TJ's would have clued into the BIG demographic move from the Northeast to FL earlier. There are plenty of young northerners now in FL, and we all miss TJ's!!

 

[NYPOOH]

I love Trader Joe's and do almost all of my shopping there! Me and two of my friends are always comparing what we tried that was new! I will make a list of everything in this thread that I haven't tried and make sure i try it!

In NY we do not have wine in our stores but we do have good fresh meat and chicken! My favorite thing from there is the frozen chocolate covered bananas! They are so yummy and give me a "taste" of disney! They also had great candy last year for the holidays that was seasonal, I'm hoping they have it back this year!

 

[Crankyshank]

We shop at TJ's quite often - or least hubby stops by when he's in the area. The closest TJ is about an hour for me. Too far to make a regular grocery stop. They were supposed to expand to RI but the property deal didn't go through apparently

 

[pumpkinfish]

Ok, so DH and I ventured over to TJs this morning!

Wow...thats all I can say! First of all the place was a zoo! I mean, it was cute seeing DH push the little baby cart around. Second, the aisles were BOGGED down with people. A lot of these foods are new to us around here so everyone had to search and look harder which slowed down the flow of traffic. Unlike a normal grocery store, when one person stops in the aisle, EVERYONE stops! .

But there were several GOOD things that came out of the trip: The employees on the floor were very knowledgeable of where everything was. There is a LOT to choose from. Everywhere I looked I saw more and more I wanted to try/buy! I did stick to my guns even though DH kept saying "just buy it". But no, I had to leave SOME things for next time At the checkout DH's cheesecake he had picked up rang as 9.99. DH was paying attention (I taught him so well!!!) and said it rang as the 56 ounce not the 18 which was scanned. The cashier rang the bell twice to get help from customer service. A guy walked over, DH explained the situation and the guy asked DH how much it should be. DH said "It was around 3.65 I think" and don't you know, the guy changed the price to what DH had said. The man apologized and told us to have a great day. Now if that wasn't customer service!!! Awesome and amazing!!

Ok, so down to the FABULOUS details! We walked away with just a few items: their party size salsa, white corn ships, peanut butter filled pretzel, cinnamon coated roasted almonds (MY personal fave...the bag is almost gone!), NY style cheesecake, jasmine rice, two things of pre-made pizza dough (we will be indulging in pizzas for dinner), and their gingerbread cake. While there we were able to taste a sample of the gingerbread and I about passed out from falling in love with it!. So yes, all these treats for about $35. Not too bad!

Thanks once again for everyone's comments

 

[TnTWalter]

1st and foremost...hello...the wine selection! Awesome. They have Sterling Merlot right now for $9.99, great deal. They have a great variety and range from $3.99-$15. Great! I do not like the $2 buck chuck although others love it.
The beers are great too and you can make your own six packs by mixing and matching. Great for parties.

Organic Tomatoe and Red Pepper Soup in the box...Yummy. Best price.
Fresh Gazpacho in the fridge section. Ditto the bruschetta.
Polenta...best price here...
Gnocchi....yummy...especially great with their Tomato Vodka sauce....
perfect meal with chicken and mushrooms thrown in.
Artichoke hearts in a can. Cheapest here.
Frozen Mangoes [for my hubby's morning smoothies].
Tofutti Bars...taste just like fudgsicles and like only 30 calories. Alrighty!
Tea & Coffe.
They have a brie en croute with cranberries that is a wonderful appetizer.
Pirate Booty in snack aisle and honey wheat pretzel sticks. And you have to buy the honey mustard to dip them in...
Organic Peanut Butter is so cheap and good for kiddos.
Cereals are affordable and healthier here...kids love mighty bites [cheaper here] and the peanut butter crunch. I love the hi protein crunch and it's cheaper here than stores.
Kiss My Face Lotions...wonderful.
Mango Shave Cream.
Burt's Bee Lotion for kids and me [love the smell].
Their version of simple green is a great cleaner.
We also love the Peppermint Castille Soap. DH uses for body and hair.
I have the hand soaps for the bathrooms and various shampoos & bath products for me.
The kitchen cleaning cloths are great [3 pack].

And those are just my favorite things. Love this store! I try to only go monthly because I will spend about $100.

Enjoy!
Trish

 

[kelma]

This is too timely! I just went for the first time while visiting family and I LOVED it. We got some amazing super cheap wine (Purple Moon Shiraz - $3.99) and I picked up about 10 boxes of Irish Cream filled Chocolates for $2.49 a box for gifts. They are AMAZINGLY GOOD - but addictive!

Enjoy your new store!