Update on Trader Joe's in Union Square (NYC)
I'm lucky to live near a Trader Joe's, but I'm still excited about the one that is coming to Union Square in New York City (as reported on Curbed and in the NY Times). I live in Connecticut and work in the city a few days a week, and when they open the new store it'll be located only a few blocks from my office.
I called Trader Joe's today and was told that the Union Square location will open near the end of this year or early next year. They also told me that the West Hartford (Connecticut) location will open on November 4th.
I'm hoping that the NYC location will be able to sell wine and beer. The Connecticut stores near me can't sell the infamous "Two Buck Chuck" due to archaic blue laws and local regulations. I was in Seattle recently and visited a Trader Joe's that even sold Guiness. I'm wondering how many bottles of wine I can carry home on the train...
I'll keep you posted on the new stores as information becomes available.
I'm pretty sure Two Buck Chuck is Three Buck Chuck everywhere outside of California due to shipping costs (it's $3 even here in neighboring Oregon), and maybe it would be Ten Buck Chuck in NYC (it would be VERY interesting to compare prices on various items between a NYC store and practically any of their other stores around the country), but it would be a real shame if the NYC store doesn't carry beer or wine, since at least in the Portland store I visit, it's practically a third of the store! You should be able to tell from looking at other grocery stores in the city. If they're not carrying beer and wine, then TJ's probably won't either. Mass. is another state that doesn't allow this.
Posted by: Rick | August 25, 2005 at 03:21 PM
I am a TJs captain. I am pretty sure we will be selling wine & beer in the NYC TJs, but I don't know the details. We have a big annual meeting later this month; I can verify the booze question then. Nice blog!
Posted by: Michele & Dan | September 02, 2005 at 03:01 PM
When are uyou opening a store in Western Nassau, New York. WE need your store there. All my friends and I would like to have one there beccause Oceanside and Hewlett are too far to shop every week there. I love all the items I have tried the last few years since I discovered your wonderful store. Thank you
Posted by: charlotte Burchianti | September 05, 2005 at 01:21 AM
When are uyou opening a store in Western Nassau, New York. WE need your store there. All my friends and I would like to have one there beccause Oceanside and Hewlett are too far to shop every week there. I love all the items I have tried the last few years since I discovered your wonderful store. Thank you
Posted by: charlotte Burchianti | September 05, 2005 at 01:48 AM
Does Trader Joe's have any plans to open stores in Florida? Particularly Sarasota? I am a transplanted Californian who misses the store terribly!
Posted by: Vickie | September 08, 2005 at 05:11 AM
I just got back from the Trader Joes in West Hartford CT, and they are stocking the shelves. There is a sign in front of the store that says "Comming Soon" and "Accepting applications". I called the store in Orange CT and they said it will open December 9th.
Posted by: M. Gabris | October 22, 2005 at 01:29 PM
Hi - I live in NYC and am really excited for the new TJs to open here. I am originally from Syracuse, NY where Wegmans is HUGE. In recent years, Wegmans has expanded their in-house "Nature's Marketplace" and house-brand labeling for this department. A close friend in Syracuse used to live in Ohio and frequented TJs. which is how I became familiar with them. She called TJs and asked why no stores in the Syracuse (or anywhere Upstate) and was told that they are "not allowed" to build within a certain radius of any existing Wegmans stores. Now, I love Wegmans, but I adore TJs - anyone know what the lowdown on this is? Could Wegmans be paying TJs to stay out of their territory? I've been wondering about this for over 2 years now and any information would be very enlightening. Cool site, btw!
Posted by: Corrie | October 23, 2005 at 12:06 AM
Is there any news on Trader Joe's Manhattan? I walk by the store front at the Palladium everyday on my way to the gym and there's construction going on but I was too shy to ask the workmen.
I'm dying for some cilantro hummus and frozen vegetable melange bags!
Any
Posted by: the haute negro | October 24, 2005 at 09:19 AM
Is there any news on Trader Joe's Manhattan? I walk by the store front at the Palladium everyday on my way to the gym and there's construction going on but I was too shy to ask the workmen.
I'm dying for some cilantro hummus and frozen vegetable melange bags!
Posted by: the haute negro | October 24, 2005 at 09:20 AM
Don't know if this was asked elsewhere already, but why don't New York locations sell alcohol?
Posted by: Jean-François | November 09, 2005 at 08:57 AM
I was on 14th Street this morning (12/28) on my way to work. I looked across the street and saw a sheet of plywood in the window of the empty space next to the Palladium dorm. It had construction spray paint on it - reading "Trader Joe's" with an arrow pointing across the empty space to the door. I've refused to believe that it's coming to Union Square, to save myself the disappointment, but this is pretty exciting!! As a recent transplant to the East Village from the SF Bay Area, Trader Joe's is one of the few things I find missing in my life - no more trips to New Jersey!
Posted by: EV Chic | December 28, 2005 at 11:16 AM
Our entire neigborhood (Lakeshore district in Oakland, CA) is holding its collective breath for a TJ's to open in this now defunct Albertson's. PLEASE PLEASE help us to stop driving everywhere. Anyone know any news on this? I called Corporate Customer Relations to leave a word of my support.
Posted by: sabrina merlo | December 29, 2005 at 03:14 PM
Love this site. I did some sleuthing last November, and yes, that store in the Palladium Building in NYC is indeed leased to Trader Joe's. I spoke with TJ's, the architect, and NYU -- they all responded in the affirmative. I'm THRILLED that there has been a sighting (even if it is just paint on plywood) that confirms this. I, too, am from Northern California, and got hooked on TJ's as a college student in Southern California. No more driving to New Jersey for a TJ's fix!! I can't wait for the store to open...
Posted by: Jennifer | January 13, 2006 at 01:25 PM
Hey,
If anyone from the company reads this I have a suggestion. There is NO, that's right No grocery store in Woodstock, NY! I can't think of a better place for a Trader Joe's reguardless of that fact. It's a good area to look at expanding into, with a community that's tailored to your company. For the record I don't even live up there, I live in Brooklyn.
Posted by: James Waterhouse | January 19, 2006 at 05:27 PM
It is official...look at the TJ Web site....plus the Times even gave the address....
Posted by: aaw | January 20, 2006 at 11:30 PM
when is it going to open in NYC? I know it's being worked on, but when will the doors open? I'm hungry and broke!
-s
Posted by: sameer | January 23, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Been dropping by there every other day. Floors were pour, laid, and painted. Refrigeration needs to be installed and merch delivered. What else is there to do?
-J
Posted by: Jer | February 03, 2006 at 12:34 AM
Went by the site of the TJ's-to-come in NYC, and there was a big, plastic TJ's sign with "Now Hiring" on it. It warmed my heart.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 16, 2006 at 12:59 PM
It's more than official, Gawker has photos of the interior work being done as I type. Speculation of April opening...
Posted by: CURRIN GIRL | February 23, 2006 at 10:31 AM
Does anyone know if the new Union Square store in NYC will sell alcohol or not?
Posted by: Jennifer | February 28, 2006 at 04:37 PM
I'm answering my own query!! NYC's local channel, New York 1, just reported that TJ's opens in Union Square on March 17th -- St. Patrick's Day! And they will have an "adjoining wine shop." Praise be.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 28, 2006 at 09:11 PM
Here's the link to the NY1 article, confirming the 03/17/06 opening date.
http://ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?&aid=57453&search_result=1&stid=8
And the Trader Joe's website finally has the exact address up.
http://www.traderjoes.com/locations/map/540.asp. Yea, wine store!
Posted by: Pandora | March 13, 2006 at 11:49 AM
I just heard a rumor that Trader Joe's was considering opening a store in Princeton, NJ. Nothing would make me happier to find out that it's true. My family and I used to travel to South Jersey (about 40 minutes away) to visit Trader Joe's and PF Changs (they just came to Princeton last year). and we've also shopped at the one near Cedar Hurst in Long Island (my mother in law lives there. And lately we've been to the one in Manhattan (we have a studio apartment there) but we're unable to buy the fresh or frozen foods because they can't last the trip home. NOTHING would make us happier than to have a Trader Joe's right down the street from our home in Princeton, NJ. PLEASE Come!!!!!
Posted by: Cheryl Klein | February 24, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Way to go, Cheryl! I have sent emails to TJs about coming to Princeton, and harass the TJs cashiers in Westfield every time I go. I even heard that they might move into the storefront where Wild Oats is. But I have not been able to verify the rumor anywhere. One cashier in Westfield was very definite that there were no plans to open in Princeton because they wouldn't be able to sell wine.
So it may be the the rumor is just wishful thinking. :-(
Posted by: LeslieB | May 18, 2007 at 11:47 AM
We do more than ice fishing here in Maine! How about coming up our way, TJs? Topsham is ready for you: infrastructure in place, right zoning, eager customers, just off the interstate. It would be the first TJs north of the Boston area and wow, wouldn't that be a draw! I got hooked when I lived in California - and search for TJs whenever I travel. The dried fruits and great nut specialties travel well. But the frozen mango chunks? Not so much. Maine needs a TJs!
Posted by: Grace Lewis-McLaren | February 06, 2008 at 09:43 PM