Rhode Island Wants a Trader Joe's

This blog was started on Monday (of this week!) and I've already seen two requests for a Trader Joe's in Rhode Island. I know they need one because my folks live there and have me bring stuff from TJ's on almost every trip. Shelia writes:

Why isn't there a TJ in Rhode Island? Anywhere in Rhode Island? We have two Whole Foods within 2.1 miles of each other, but no TJ.

JL on the Modern Kicks blog (I want my yuppie junk food!) asks:

...how TJ's could be in the Boston market for a decade (perhaps longer), have markets from Hadley to Hyannis, and expand into Connecticut, without opening a single store in Rhode Island.  Don't they realize how food-crazed Rhode Island is?  Do they not know that crowds pack into the main Whole Foods store on the East Side, making parking there near impossible?

Cable also asks about  Florida:

I'm curious as to why TJs does not seem to be targeting Florida for expansion.  No stores there at the moment -- none.  And none are planned, as far as I can tell.  Seems odd, given the South Florida's dense population and hospitality to new retail stores.  Any idea what's behind this thinking?

Who else wants a Trader Joe's in their town? Has anyone figured out how Trader Joe's picks the next location?

Comments

[LizR]

I want a Trader Joe's!!! Why none in the south east? I'm in Atlanta and there are a lot of foodies/chowhounds here who are dying for a TJs. I am going to contact them - thanks for the contact info, I never could find it on their site.

[H. Wren]

They need them in Colorado, as well. I could see Denver/Boulder being a very profitable place for a TJ's. At least there are now locations in a neighboring state, now that they've started opening locations in New Mexico. Finally, they decided to pay some attention to the Mountain Time Zone (Arizona doesn't count).

[Nancy]

I am just one of many many Rhode Islanders who are dying to see a TJ's open in the state. It would do extremely well. It is just unbelievable that there is not one yet....Please open up a TJ's in RI!!!!!!!

[Luisa]

I agree with the need for a Trader Joe in Rhode Island. I actually make a detour when driving back from NYC to the store in Westchester and buy diet Hansen's for me and all my friends....I'd be in heaven if one opened

[Allison]

Hear, hear on Colorado. I finally got to visit a TJs this week while visiting Seattle to see what all the fuss is about. I want one here!

Of course, with our ridiculous liquor laws, they couldn't sell 2-buck Chuck, grrrrrr.

[Marcy Bennett]

I am moving to Denver and I cannot believe they don't have a TJ's. What's the deal? I have shopped at TJ's forever.

[diana burton]

Why doesn't Dallas, Texas have a trader joe's??

[Paula]

I live in NW IN and have to drive 40 miles to Orland Park IL or 150 miles south to Indy. There's a lot of new retail construction in our area, and it's crying out for TJ's. How DO they pick locations?!

[Mitch]

Ditto Chapel Hill, NC! With 2 Whole Foods and a Fresh Fare it's not like we couldn't support one. It's enough to make me homesick for Seattle...something I never thought i would say.

[Teresa]

I second the comment about Atlanta. Do they not know what a great market this would be for them? Those who can afford it or are near them shop at Whole Foods, a.k.a. "Whole Paycheck" while the rest of us contend with high prices and terrible selection of quality healthy food.

I grew up in L.A. and left before TJ's entered the area. Every time I go back to visit I load up on as much as I can afford to ship, which, sadly, is never enough to last long because I wind up spending about $25 per box to ship my goodies to Atlanta.

Not only would the in-town Atlanta crowd flock to a TJ's, once the suburbanites heard about it they'd be clamoring for their own. Many, many of us spend way too much time on the road and would be so thankful for someplace like TJ's where we can pop in on the way home from work and pick up a few things for a decent meal without all the parking and long-line hassles of a supermarket - not to mention the high supermarket prices. And if you're too wiped out to cook TJ's has the best prepared salads and meals I've ever had.

Where is the contact info one poster commented about? I want it!

[Mary]

I just moved to Austin, Texas from Chicago and am desperately missing Trader Joe's! Austin is the perfect place for a TJ's! How do we go about lobbying for this?

[Picky about eating]

One of the more important questions to relocating to a new city is "do they have a Trader Joe's?". How are we going to afford to eat, if there isn't a Trader Joe's? Please put one in Denver!

[Omelas]

I heard a rumor that TJ's was looking into warehouse space in Florida so that they can expand into the Southeast. I really hope that's true. I moved to Atlanta from Boston, and TJ's is one of the things I miss. Interesting to note there is an ALDI, which is owned by the same people just down the street from me.

[Martha Rife]

No way! The next Trader Joe's MUST be in Austin!!! Westlake/Rollingwood to be more specific. We have two major grocery stores in our area, and nobody likes either one. Trader Joe's will get all the business from everyone! PLEASE!

[Martha Rife]

No way! The next Trader Joe's MUST be in Austin!!! Westlake/Rollingwood to be more specific. We have two major grocery stores in our area, and nobody likes either one. Trader Joe's will get all the business from everyone! PLEASE!

[Jeff]

They need a Trader Joe's in Bay City, Michigan! Or somewhere in Northern Michigan. There's not even an email at the Trader Joe's Web site or else I would cut off my ear and send it to them!

[kittykake]

We need a TJs in Rhode Island! Puhleeze!! They are popping up in suburbs in Massachusetts but there is not one in Providence

[Nic]

WE WANT A TRADER JOE'S IN RI! My friends and I often set up road trips to travel to Trader Joe's in Boston and Conn. since we don't have our very own store. We bring coolers and ice packs and often don't even have enough room in our car from all of our purchases...we love the 2 buck chuck and buy cases of it! Please help us conserve gas and build us our very own TJs! Nic

[Holly]

We desperately need a Trader Joe's in RI. The closest one is 1 1/2 hours away. We frequently take road trips....but having a TJoe's in RI would be a gold mine!!!!!!

[HLB]

We NEED a Trader Joes in RHODE ISLAND!!!...because some day we'll just stop driving the hour and a half to get to the closest store :(

[Danny]

We need a TJs here in the Stapleton neighborhood of Denver. They'll be building the second "town center" later this year and they're currently searching for a "small, healthy grocery store" to put in. So far Wild Oats and Whole Foods have been mentioned, but they're too big and honestly, too expensive for most people. TJs would be perfect - especially considering the demographics of Stapleton - mostly progressive, socially conscious, healthy professionals with good incomes. Plus there are many people here from the Coasts who are familiar with TJs, like myself. Please, TJs! I'm sick of paying $9 for my almonds!

[Leslie]

I am another devotee of TJs, having been graced to live near 4 TJ's(3 metro, and one suburban)in Seattle. I'm planning empty-suitcased visits back here after my move to a TJ-less state. (What else can I do?)I can hardly imagine. Please open a TJ's in Lawrence, KS. We need a decent foodstore.

[B]

No Trader Joe's in Austin??? I just moved here from the West Coast and can't believe there isn't a location in Austin or in Texas period! What's the deal, Joe?

[Dique Cannon]

WE NEED A TJ'S IN FRISCO, TX, the fastest growing place in the Dallas Metroplex.... let's not get it twisted.... I need my Two Buck Chuck, my cheeses, and crab claws among other things.... WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO MAKE THIS REALITY...BY THIS SUMMER??? What's up TJ you're missing out on revenues......

[Linda]

Why don't you have a Trader Joes in Texas? I heard a rumor that there was going to be one in Plano. Is that true?