Trader Joe's Coming to Atlanta

The Atlanta Business Chronicle is reporting that Trader Joe's is looking to open stores in the Atlanta area:

Alison Mochizuki, national publicity manager for Trader Joe's, confirmed that the company is planning to enter metro Atlanta, but declined to provide any more information. "We're excited to be coming to Atlanta," she said.

Comments

[Jacki]

I don't think the old Market One/Harry's in a Hurry location would be big enough for a Trader Joe's. They will do great wherever they go in.

[So excited!]

What is the address of the Roswell store?

[Jamie Wallwork]

In case you all missed it they are opening the new store in the midtown arts center off monroe - they have a huge sign up above the store they will be using - just so you know

[Drew]

I'm a bit confused. There is a TJ's "Coming Soon" sign up at the Sandy Springs location but I see a location here and on TJ's website listed as "Roswell". At the Sandy Springs location, the address doesn't even come close to Roswell, in fact, it's actually Atlanta. There is an address that I found that gives me a Crabapple (just outside Roswell) location, but I haven't read anything about the Crabapple location. Any news on the Sandy Springs location? Any help? Opening dates?

[war17]

1. >> Roswell - Sept 25th
>> Midtown - Oct 23rd

cannotwait, Thanks for the dates. Is the Midtown date before TJ had difficulty getting a liquor license or after resolving the problem? Is the store open moved from August to October? Or will be moved from October to December?

2. >> What is the address of the Roswell store?

Jackie, Roswell store is in the town of Roswell, Party City mall.

3.>> Any news on the Sandy Springs location?

Jarnie, Sandy Springs store in the one in Atlanta, on Roswell Road, different from Roswell store. Opening is sometime in the Fall. If you drive by the store, you should signs and maybe date of opening.

[Jamie Wallwork]

I work at a college and we just had the recruiter in for TJ's. They are opeing three stores so far!!! Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Atlanta. The Atlanta store has been delayed again - that is all she was saying - i tried to get the information out of her.

[Tuesday Morning info]

Just spoke with a woman at the Tuesday Morning next to the TJ location on Monroe in Midtown. She heard they were delayed opening till December. The place looks empty so I don't know how it could be ready in a month.

[VWP]

With all due respect (and I have been to a couple of Trader Joe's in California) haven't ANY of you been to the DeKalb Farmer's Market? Maybe it's not as cute and twee as Trader Joe's is, but frankly, I think it knocks the socks off any other store I have ever been anywhere in the US or Europe for the sheer scope and variety of the merchandise ....

[LVDKE]

Well, personally I have no desire to drive down to Dekalb Farmer's Market every week. That's too much of a hassel. I want some place I can run in and grab something. Sure maybe once a month, but for a lot of people Dekalb is not close by.

[vicki]

vwp...enjoy your favorite market...that is one less car in the TJ parking lot.

TJ's and Whole Foods are the best.

New Whole Foods in Duluth is amazing.

[Dave]

It's official - the sign went up this morning on the corner of Johnson Ferry and Roswell Road NE

[Jen]

I called the Roswell store at Crossville Rd near Roswell High School. They are opening Oct 20th!!! They are on Hwy 92 that becomes Holcombe Bridge. I believe this will be the first store to open, I cannot wait.

[Drew]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned just yet, but I've heard Trader Joe's is building yet another location in Norcross in the retail development known as The Forum! This is on Highway 141 in Norcross, about 1.5 - 2 miles south of the Chattahoochee River. Happy shopping!

[vicki]

It will be interesting to see if TJs will carry the same products I was use to buying in California.

I can't wait for the store to open. I have a list made of things I've missed since I've lived in Georgia. Got my directions from Mapquest. Ice chests ready to go.

Woo hoo!

[mark]

10 days! I am clearing out the freezer, eating all my dried fruit and drinking all my cheap wine.

[ob2s]

re Cali store products: If you just compare MAss stores to west coast, there are way less prepared foods and wine choices, especially local (to west coast) wines. TJ's has many more suppliers that meet TJ's specs out there than on the east coast. Needham, Mass is the big east coast dist point. I think we'll see even less of the fresh stuff in the Atlanta market, especially in the organic realm, however ATL should carry enough of the shelf stable stuff to eliminate my bringing an extra suitcase when I travel to a TJ's market, or at least I hope.

re WF, DFM, TJs The poster was right about Dekalb farmer's market. It is one of the FEW redeeming qualities about Atlanta, however TJ's is quite different than Dekalb in that you can't really get fresh veg at TJ's, you can in west coast markets, but the choice is limited and often only comes in big bags. The shelved foods at Dekalb are decent and priced right, but often less interesting than what TJ's has.

They each have their place.
WF - costly but close to you
TJ's - unique gnoshing stuff and cheap/wine beer (I hope they have overcome the good ole boy liquor sale laws)
Dekalb - Far for many, but inexpensive with a vast array of stuff.

One problem w/TJ's is that if you latch on to something unique, it is gone forever in a couple of months.

[Drew]

As Jen posted above, the Roswell, GA store will open on October 20th. It is now official - posted on Tj's website!

[Dan]

Any further info on the opening date of the Midtown location? I'm ready to drive out to Roswell on opening day, but I'd prefer not to make that trek too often if I can help it...Also, any confirmation that TJ's has overcome the "good old boy liquor laws" and will definitely have wine available?

As a frequent shopper at YDFM, I'll still be going there regularly (and it is a great place for what it does well), but there are plenty of offerings at TJ's that simply aren't available at YDFM.

[vicki]

I called Roswell store today to confirm opening...it's a go for the 20th. I'll be driving several hours to shop, but I know it's worth it.

Imagine being excited about a store opening! I have NO life.

[Drew]

There will be no wine or beer sold on opening day (or for about a month or so thereafter) at the Roswell, GA store. From AJC.com:

"What's Trader Joe's without "Three-buck Chuck?"

Fans of the California retailer and the cheap wine with which it has become synonymous will find out Friday when Trader Joe's opens its doors in Roswell.

Trader Joe's has opted for a dry opening in Roswell, the first of several stores set for metro Atlanta. It's not entirely clear why — the grocer has a wine and beer license — but apparently there has been a hiccup with the sales of its own private-label wines such as the wildly popular Charles Shaw brand, better known as "Three-buck Chuck."

Georgia laws regarding wine distribution, some of the most restrictive in the country, require in part that retailers buy from authorized wholesalers in Georgia. The laws also prevent a wholesaler from dealing in exclusive brands.

"The wholesaler has to make the brand available everywhere," said Shawn Douglas, assistant chief of special operations for the state alcohol and tobacco division. "All wines sold in Georgia must be made available to all [retailers] on like terms."

That could be the rub at Trader Joe's. The quirky chain, known for Hawaiian decor and cheap gourmet food items, has built a cult following on its in-house labels, particularly in the wine aisle. Presumably, Trader Joe's wouldn't want to see "Three-buck Chuck" popping up in other places.

Employees were busy stocking shelves Wednesday at the new store at Roswell Crossing on Crossville Road. The chain has a reputation for being tight-lipped, and managers didn't want to talk much about the wine-free debut.

"Even though we could open with some labels, we want to be sure we give our new customers the full representation of what we do with beer and wine," Trader Joe's spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said in an e-mailed statement. "We feel we'll be able to do that within the next month. ... We're being patient with the process."

Trader Joe's, with stores in 22 states, is no stranger to restrictive state liquor laws.

Next month, Massachusetts voters will decide whether supermarkets, including Trader Joe's, can expand wine sales to additional locations. Current state law there prevents a grocery chain from selling wine at more than three stores.

In Atlanta, Trader Joe's is awaiting final approval to sell alcohol at its proposed Midtown store on Monroe Drive."

[Dan]

Bloody idiotic Georgia wine distribution laws...all the result of campaign contributions and political lobbying by the big distributors...here's hoping that TJ's wine will soon be flowing in Georgia.

[vicki]

We all know the liquor law dance in Georgia, so it didn't hinder a crowd on opening day.

I arrived at TJs about 9ish and it wasn't crowded, YET. When I left it was packed.

People who weren't familiar with the store were in a daze looking at all the goodies, but there were stay-at-home moms and some retirees, like me, who were filling our carts with familiar TJ products.

I found most of the items I was use to purchasing in California. Some packaging was different and the prices a bit higher on some items....no complaints.

All in all, I was very pleased (wine or no wine!) with the store and will make the two hour journey often. Ice chests and dry ice kept my cold and frozen foods cold.

Most of the employees have moved to Georgia from California. It was delightful to compare stories about how different our lives are in the southeast.

Very helpful and friendly staff at TJs in Roswell.

I just finished a TJ Biscotti and a cup of coffee ... couldn't be happier.

[Rob]

I lived in Sherman Oaks in the Valley and Trader Joes was everyones favorite store. I now live in Buckhead and think the forgotten plaza at Moores Mill and Bolton Rd. is the perfect location for an entrance into the Atlanta market. It is a part of town between Buckhead, Vinings, and Atlantic Station. It would draw people from all of these areas that are in need of the TJ gourmet funk and value.

[Y-vet]

I would love to have Trader Joe's in SW Atlanta ...there's lots of room here too!

[Drew]

Vicki - you are wacko for driving 2 hours to get to Trader Joe's. Once is ok, but you said you'll make the trip "often"?!?! You do realize that there are now food products available online that can be shipped directly to your door?! Maybe not from right from Trader Joe's, but if you find a product you want I'll bet ya it's online somewhere. Take this into account: using the current gov't standard for mileage at $.445 per mile, and assuming you drove (more or less) about 140 miles for a 2 hour trip, the drive alone cost you over $60.00. That's a waste of time, money, and gas. Geez...