Was So Excited for First Trader Joe's Visit...but a bit disappointed

[MIGrandma]

DH and I did some Christmas shopping in Grand Rapids yesterday, it's about a 1-1/2 hour drive for us. I was so excited to go to Trader Joe's for the first time ever. I have read about it here so often and the closest one we have to us is in Grand Rapids. The place was so crowded, it was hard to even get down the aisles. And all of the Christmas chocolate items I had hoped to buy were out of stock already. I did get a few things that had been "on my list" like the 3-pack of flavored oils, the mustard set, sticky toffee cheese, bacon wrapped scallops, and a few other things but was really disappointed all of the chocolates were gone.

The checker said it had been ridiculously busy over the weekend, with all of the aisles full of people waiting to check out.

I love their paper bags with handles. Much nicer than flimsy plastic that most stores use now.

But next year we'll make it a point to go over right after Thanksgiving, and not in mid-December.

 

[dashofsunshine]

They run out of specialty stuff pretty quickly, especially around the holidays. TJ's is very popular. Every store I've been in this entire month of December has been crowded; not just TJ's, but other grocery stores, Walmart, the mall...tis the season to be shopping.

 

[MIGrandma]

They run out of specialty stuff pretty quickly, especially around the holidays. TJ's is very popular. Every store I've been in this entire month of December has been crowded; not just TJ's, but other grocery stores, Walmart, the mall...tis the season to be shopping.

I really haven't found other stores to be so crowded, during the day, during the middle of the week. Now weekends I would expect that. We went to a mall too while we were in GR and it wasn't crowded at all, nor was Target. Oh well, it was still fun to go to TJ's. I will just go earlier next Christmas season.

 

[Julylady]

The Grand Rapids Trader Joes is also my store! I live about 30 minutes away and have been there about 3 times. It was busy, but not crazy busy each time. Everything I wanted was available. Have you ever tried Horracks? Most of my friends say they like TJ, but LOVE Horracks!

 

[Art 1]

DH and I did some Christmas shopping in Grand Rapids yesterday, it's about a 1-1/2 hour drive for us. I was so excited to go to Trader Joe's for the first time ever. I have read about it here so often and the closest one we have to us is in Grand Rapids. The place was so crowded, it was hard to even get down the aisles. And all of the Christmas chocolate items I had hoped to buy were out of stock already. I did get a few things that had been "on my list" like the 3-pack of flavored oils, the mustard set, sticky toffee cheese, bacon wrapped scallops, and a few other things but was really disappointed all of the chocolates were gone.

The checker said it had been ridiculously busy over the weekend, with all of the aisles full of people waiting to check out.

I love their paper bags with handles. Much nicer than flimsy plastic that most stores use now.

But next year we'll make it a point to go over right after Thanksgiving, and not in mid-December.

On the bright side you did learn how to go about your shopping next year, and you did find some items that you wanted this year. Dwell on the positive!

 

[Cadiewampus]

The one I was in was basically just and overgrown Aldis

 

[NewRVLady]

my son likes Trader Joe's -I was like "ok its ok" and that is all-didn't impress me


I love going to really big Whole Foods when we travel( we stay in holes with kitchens _Residence Inn-Homewood suites-and buy our food each night-my biggest bargain travel tip)-their hot bars and salad bars are AMAZING!

We also love Fresh Market-they tend to be very similar in size every where we go

 

[Dawnlight]

I love Trader Joe's, but they do run out of the holiday items quickly. I had intended to get some chocolate passport gifts for my girls' band, music, art, PE teachers, but they were all out one week after seeing a full stock of them.

Good idea about going earlier in the season next time. You can always call ahead and ask about stock; they have great customer service and will hold things, too. (at least at my TJ's)

 

[3Gsandme]

The one I was in was basically just and overgrown Aldis

No. Not really. They're similar business models, but still very different.

Dh and I hit our "local" TJ's last week where I cleared the shelf of sipping chocolate (sorry other people. I use it to make mochas all winter long and I look forward to it every year). The quality of the stuff they sell is frequently very good and, yes, the specialty or seasonal items sell out quickly. In the case of my sipping chocolate, they don't keep it all year. It discontinues in the early winter and you can't get it until late fall the next year.

I think people tend not to be impressed if they're not that interested in organic or natural products. If you don't care how they color your breakfast cereal, you probably aren't impressed by paying three dollars a box for cereal with natural colorings. You can buy Froot Loops for less on sale.

 

[Cadiewampus]

No. Not really. They're similar business models, but still very different.

Dh and I hit our "local" TJ's last week where I cleared the shelf of sipping chocolate (sorry other people. I use it to make mochas all winter long and I look forward to it every year). The quality of the stuff they sell is frequently very good and, yes, the specialty or seasonal items sell out quickly. In the case of my sipping chocolate, they don't keep it all year. It discontinues in the early winter and you can't get it until late fall the next year.

I think people tend not to be impressed if they're not that interested in organic or natural products. If you don't care how they color your breakfast cereal, you probably aren't impressed by paying three dollars a box for cereal with natural colorings. You can buy Froot Loops for less on sale.[/

Not to be argumentative but "Yes" it was an overgrown Aldi's and I do not buy freaking Fruit Loops. Get your nose out of the air

 

[DopeyDame]

I've never quite gotten the appeal. I live less than 15 minutes from a TJs and I don't get there very often. If I happen to be in the shopping center for another reason I might run in and grab some things, but I certainly don't make it a point to go there. We have a Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Fresh Market all within 20 minutes or so of our house, and I'd prefer any of them over TJs. Even Safeway is better, IMO.

 

[MIGrandma]

The Grand Rapids Trader Joes is also my store! I live about 30 minutes away and have been there about 3 times. It was busy, but not crazy busy each time. Everything I wanted was available. Have you ever tried Horracks? Most of my friends say they like TJ, but LOVE Horracks!

We had spent the night before at The Shack in White Cloud (have you heard of it/been there?). We've stayed there other times but never at Christmas and I wanted to stay there to see all their Christmas decorations. The tree in the main lodge must have been 18' tall with a 3' angel on top, it was absolutely gorgeous! And a huge, huge holiday village set up, angels in all the windows, etc. etc. Just beautiful. So after checking out we decided to "swing down to GR" to shop. My best friend used to live in Byron Center. Yes, we have been to a Horrack's, but in Lansing. I do remember we liked it, and I know we're going to Lansing soon to finish up the shopping so will have to make it a point to go there too.

The one I was in was basically just and overgrown Aldis

That's kind of what DH thought about TJ's, he wasn't really impressed.

I love Trader Joe's, but they do run out of the holiday items quickly. I had intended to get some chocolate passport gifts for my girls' band, music, art, PE teachers, but they were all out one week after seeing a full stock of them.

Good idea about going earlier in the season next time. You can always call ahead and ask about stock; they have great customer service and will hold things, too. (at least at my TJ's)

DH wondered about calling and "reserving" some things but I seriously doubted they would do that. Maybe I was wrong.

I've never quite gotten the appeal. I live less than 15 minutes from a TJs and I don't get there very often. If I happen to be in the shopping center for another reason I might run in and grab some things, but I certainly don't make it a point to go there. We have a Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Fresh Market all within 20 minutes or so of our house, and I'd prefer any of them over TJs. Even Safeway is better, IMO.

We do not have Whole Foods, Wegman's, Fresh Market or even Safeway anywhere near us. I'm not even sure Grand Rapids has those.

 

[SparklePixie]

The one I was in was basically just and overgrown Aldis

TJ's is nothing like Aldis.

 

[Christine]

I've never quite gotten the appeal. I live less than 15 minutes from a TJs and I don't get there very often. If I happen to be in the shopping center for another reason I might run in and grab some things, but I certainly don't make it a point to go there. We have a Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Fresh Market all within 20 minutes or so of our house, and I'd prefer any of them over TJs. Even Safeway is better, IMO.

I have all those stores too and, I agree, I would never rate them above TJs for everyday shopping. However, TJs has some really neat, unique seasonal stuff that I love. Plus, their canned dog food and chicken wrapped dog treats are better than most anyone else's for the price (as my dog will attest too!!). Their selection of cereal and nuts can be found anywhere but at MUCH better prices than what I've found outside of TJs. Many of their baking mixes, spices, frozen foods, etc. are top notch of anything my grocery stores sell and the prices can't be beat. My TJs is a least a 30 minute drive and I don't get there as often as I like so maybe that's why I haven't grown tired of it.

 

[soccerdad72]

The one I was in was basically just and overgrown Aldis

Considering it's the same company, it makes sense.

 

[mom2grace]

I do shop at TJ's but I don't buy chocolate there. I bought some once that was their label and made in China. Read the labels carefully.

 

[SparklePixie]

I do shop at TJ's but I don't buy chocolate there. I bought some once that was their label and made in China. Read the labels carefully.

I have a TJ's label chocolate bar in my cupboard. It was imported from Belgium.

 

[allison443]

The one I was in was basically just and overgrown Aldis

That's interesting- not the case here. The Aldi's nearest here is kind of ..... junky? and the nearest TJ's is in a very upscale town and it's really nice!
I wish the nearest Aldi's was like the Trader Joe's!
Does Aldi sell wine?

 

[Micca]

I've been in a Tj's twice. It was crowded, and I didn't see anything that I just "had to have." I've heard people say "Oh they have great (fill in the blank)", but
usually whatever that is I don't eat it. I get the appeal of an upscale grocery store--Fresh Market is great.

 

[3Gsandme]

Not to be argumentative but "Yes" it was an overgrown Aldi's and I do not buy freaking Fruit Loops. Get your nose out of the air

Well, I buy Froot Loops, so my nose certainly isn't in the air. My comment about organic and non-artifical ingredients related to the difference between Trader Joe' and Aldi's business model, but if it makes you feel better to call me a snob because you think *I* think there is something wrong with Froot Loops, go ahead. A Christmas gift from me to you.

Yes, they have a similar business model, but no. They're not the same. My Aldi's is very bare bones sort of store. They both heavily feature their own store brands, so they are similar there and they both feature a limited selection of items. Aldi's carries a lot of, what must be, close outs and special purchases. Trader Joe's carries more specialty items. Both are good for staples. Aldi's doesn't have shelving. It's cases and palettes of items. They don't offer their own bags. They don't carry any specialty items unless it's a special purchase or close out. Every Trader Joe's I've been in carries a good selection of cut and potted flowers/plants and a pretty extensive "fresh" bakery items. They have a large case of ready to eat food (sandwiches, subs, salad, sushi) that Aldi's doesn't have at all.