I'll bet KC is excited!.....Wait a week....let the craze wear off then go!
Linda C

That is one thing I really appreciate about Trader Joe's is they often locate in an abandoned mall. Nothing else of quality ever seems to, they just come in and clear another patch of earth of all the vegetation and habitat and build a new mall that will be abandoned when their national corporate owned business fails. I wish more businesses would follow TJ's model about that.

I was shopping there recently (it's pretty new in my town) and wanted to buy a bag of organic lemons. Some had 4 lemons, some had 5, so I wanted to weigh them to get the most for my $$. Couldn't find a scale so when checking out, I asked the clerk to weigh the 2 bags to see which was heavier and she told me they have no scales in the store. All is sold by the "each" and there is no way to compare containers' weights.

Did you all know that? It was news to me.

No, I didn't know that. That said, if I had a choice, I'd probably buy the 5 smaller lemons for the ratio of zest to juice. I always need lemon zest!

Linda, we had two stores open on Friday, but they're not that far away from each other. One in Missouri, the other across the state line in Kansas. They both had the same conditions going on with lines and more lines. (Kansas City is big enough to support a few more stores. Do you hear me Trader Joe's?) It's the Same Thing at Whole Paycheck here in town...there are never any parking spaces, and I have to drive for miles if I want to shop there (which I really don't). The Farmers Markets are usually sold out by 9:30 a.m. if the organic produce is good. It shouldn't be so hard to get, yet that's the way the organic stuff rolls...

Trader Joe's is my kind of retail therapy, so I'm still thrilled even though right now, I wish it were easier to shop there!

I have been to TJ's in other states. I don't think they will be coming to Colorado soon. Here grocery cannot sell wine or full strength beer, so that is a lot of their sales. The ones I have been to are very interesting as to the selection of things they have, and the things they do not have.

DP

Hi, I live in North Missouri, saw that on our news. I can't imagine....lines to check out! I had heard of those stores on another cooking web site that I hang out on. When I get to K.C. next, I'll have to check it out!

Come on over casi!

DP, the TJ's on the Kansas side doesn't sell wine (and probably not beer either) because it's KANSAS. Even with that, I heard the lines were crazy there. They won't have any problems doing a great business. Don't give up on Colorado...I never thought they'd make it this far!

Yea for CdL! I went to grand opening week at my closest TJ's; it's only 7 1/2 hours away in Atlanta.

At our annual block party I mentioned that I was going and did anyone want me to bring back something for them. Not one person was familiar with TJ's and couldn't understand going across the county, never mind to another state to grocery shop. But I didn't know about the casino we have across town...different strokes.

Hey Cathy! Your neighborhood doesn't know what they're missing, or the treasure they have in you. (I wouldn't care about the casino either.)

I learned something this morning. After waking up in plenty of time to get there in under 4 minutes, I was parking my car while they let in a fairly large crowd of people waiting at the door for them to open at 8 a.m. Since I already knew my way around and have been to Trader Joe's many times in the past, I was able to breeze my way through the store. I checked out, brought my groceries home, and realized I forgot one of my most important items (mini croissants in the frozen foods section). By 8:30, the crowds had thinned to a bearable level. I learned that waiting 30 minutes makes for a better shopping experience!

That said, I love that I FINALLY get to shop the frozen foods section. I found frozen organic vegetables...be still my heart! I'm loving that this store is .8 miles from my house. Did my property value just go up? Judging from the city's response...I THINK SO!

Yahoo CdL! What fun. I can't believe it's so close to you! What luck. You'll be a regular now.

2 no less-I am so happy for you!

Several years ago TJ's had plans for Orlando in 2012 then the economy changed that. If it ever does happen, I mightthru> would get over my boycott of 1-4 through Orlando.

Every TJs I've been to has been crowded, but I did find that Friday evening between 6 and 8 was a good time to go. I think they close at 8. I wish they had a few more items so that I would not have to go to the regular market as often. Since I've been shopping primarily at TJs, I've noticed a distinct drop in our food bill. Their whole chickens are more expensive, but that's about the only thing. The first TJs I went to was across the street from what used to be MGM in Culver City, and it was walking distance from my apartment. The studio had huge parking lots (and TJs had signs that said "No Studio Parking"), and so it was fairly easy to find a parking spot, but not easy to get into and out of it. Then they moved to a location that has a parking garage, complete with elevator. The only I go to now is two doors down from Kohls, and so I can easily go to both from one parking spot.

Anyway, I would say not to expect crowds to diminish noticeably.

Lars

I'm jealous! I have never been to TJ's, but last week I got to go to my first HEB and I was thrilled, but it is 6 hours from my house,,,,United Market Street excites me!! So sad!

Have fun Kathy!

Clare, I'm so glad they finally opened up!! LOL.. when you started saying you went when they first opened in the morning... I was wondering if it would be crowded. Lots of early shoppers. Smiles. Glad you found a time that is less crowded. I tend to ask cashiers when a store has least people. Our nearest one is in Princeton. Not far, but I've never been there. I suspect it's a bit out of my price range. Enjoy your store.

Hey May, after two visits just this morning, I think I already am!

Cathy, I hope you will have the opportunity to get over your boycott at some stage. It's so nice to have one so handy.

Lars, that's funny, because Friday nights are when DH and I go the grocery store sometimes, and call it date night. It will be interesting to see if that holds true here. I'm not thinking that will be the case though until the newness wears off. I agree completely about the Organic chicken being pricey, although the last one I tried from the Farmer's Market was far more expensive and didn't taste all that great. This was still a savings of 30 percent! I bought one this morning just to try. Since I hardly buy chicken any more at the grocery, an occasional chicken purchase could work for me there.

Karen, that is entirely too far to go! Funny the things that thrill us on the Cooking forum, isn't it? Some people just wouldn't believe I could title my personal movie, ''When Grocery Shopping Is Fun!''

Coconut, you'd probably be surprised at how reasonable many of the items are, which is part of the reason people love it so much. I bought a Huge box of Cheerio type cereal for $2.67 if that's any indication.

I did buy a jar of Organic Low Sugar Strawberry Preserves this morning, which I expected to taste kind of nasty. I will say I was very pleasantly surprised, so now I can bring on the PB&J! (Peanut Butter is why I needed to go, since I was completely out.) I was very focused on the organic frozen broccoli (also very reasonably priced), since I don't know of any place I can get that. It's lovely to be able to buy the kind of food I want to in my own neighborhood.

Whoo-hoo! We are right behind you. Spokane TJ's is supposed to open in Sept. The kid brought me a case of Two Buck Chuck and some orange champagne vinegar from Seattle, so I'll make it until they've been open for a few weeks.

I never thought about the frozen food section...it's a 6-7 hr. drive now, but will be an easy trip with an ice chest. OOoooooooo...!

Gosh, I am really getting excited about going the 2 hr. drive to K.C......I could visit my in-laws and go to TJ's!

Katie, How Exciting! Congratulations! September will be here before you know it!

Casi, a Two-fer!

I love Trader Joe's! I only get to go to one when I'm visiting my parents in Ohio so I try and stock up. A few weeks ago I spent $110 on just non-perishables. I don't even bother trying to bring back produce, frozen or refrigerated items. Enjoy your new store!

Trixie, my aunt and uncle live in TX and got us hooked on HEB San Antonio blend coffee. Love that stuff!

Tracey

Tracey, same thing here when I would bring home groceries from somewhere else. The last time we had room in our cooler for two little boxes of 8 mini croissants, so I tried those and got very hooked on the freshly baked.

I finally had the chance to go to Traders Joe today in Kansas City & it was awesome. I surely would be go back to shop. I wish they would open one in north of the city.

Only TJs in my area isn't "on the way" of most of my errands. But if I'm remotely in the area, just have to stop in. Extra virgin olive oil is nice and has a nice price. I usually look for something "unusual"... if only unusual to me. Bought quinoa there... different and interesting. Bought tuna in a JAR there once... in olive oil. First thought was... kinda pricey... $5-something a jar... but more than 2 cans of the better tuna. Absolutely GREAT!! Wish I had splurged for more than one jar, cuz haven't seen it there since.

Wish I had one close by!