Plano Trader Joe's grand opening (home, living in, prices)

[Johnhw2]

I drove by store location today and it is moving along and almost complete on the exterior but cant tell how far along inside it is. Any one heard a grand opening date ? Perhaps the relocation to Tx for the opening will see this and update us. I hear great things about TJ's from relatives living in AZ as well as consumers reports which rates them number 2 for grocerry chains. It looks more like July than June to me as a layman forecaster

[cmw2133]

Originally Posted by Johnhw2

I drove by store location today and it is moving along and almost complete on the exterior but cant tell how far along inside it is. Any one heard a grand opening date ? Perhaps the relocation to Tx for the opening will see this and update us. I hear great things about TJ's from relatives living in AZ as well as consumers reports which rates them number 2 for grocerry chains. It looks more like July than June to me as a layman forecaster

Last I read it was June 2012.

We used to go twice a month in LA. Trader Joe's frozen foods are very good and they're good for kitchen essentials like olive oil, ketchup, chips, etc. They also undercut Whole Foods by 40-50% on harder to find stuff like almond butter, dates, etc. You could probably get 95% of all your groceries at TJs, I think. I think the only main differences between TJ's and any other chain is that TJ's doesn't have a deli section or a prepared foods section, and instead of having 12 different brands of the same thing, you might only have 2-3. I expect it will be a smash hit in Plano.

[anonsym]

This may be a difference in locations but in NOVA (northern virginia - D.C. suburb) our Trader Joe's were pretty small. They had a great frozen (pre-prepared foods) section and a pretty big wine selection but for everything else it was slim pickings. You pretty much had to know what they had to begin with or you would find yourself out a few ingredients and end up going elsewhere anyways.

I'm not knocking it completely - if you needed to run in and get eggs or milk or even a package of meat you could do it quickly without having to wait in lines. I always viewed it more as a some sort of gourmet version of a convience store.

Again - this is the perspective of someone who could never figure out why people seem to be so enamored with TJs. It does have a pretty big fan base so take my advice with a grain of salt.

[Johnhw2]

Originally Posted by cmw2133

Last I read it was June 2012.

We used to go twice a month in LA. Trader Joe's frozen foods are very good and they're good for kitchen essentials like olive oil, ketchup, chips, etc. They also undercut Whole Foods by 40-50% on harder to find stuff like almond butter, dates, etc. You could probably get 95% of all your groceries at TJs, I think. I think the only main differences between TJ's and any other chain is that TJ's doesn't have a deli section or a prepared foods section, and instead of having 12 different brands of the same thing, you might only have 2-3. I expect it will be a smash hit in Plano.

I am excited about it coming to Plano, its about half a mile from my house. We like good prepared frozen dinners, we primarily shop Costco now. The consumer reports article was consistent about TJ's with your view and we cant wait until it opens. On a nice weather day my wife can re route her walk for our small dogs to pick up something perhaps if they will let a small dog or three lol in the doors. Who says Plano isnt walkable lol

[SunnyTXsmile]

Originally Posted by Johnhw2

I drove by store location today and it is moving along and almost complete on the exterior but cant tell how far along inside it is. Any one heard a grand opening date ? Perhaps the relocation to Tx for the opening will see this and update us. I hear great things about TJ's from relatives living in AZ as well as consumers reports which rates them number 2 for grocerry chains. It looks more like July than June to me as a layman forecaster

You'll probably love them. All of us here do. Great for packaged goods, etc. Fabulous prices. Their produce leaves much to be desired, though (at least to me, anyway - I can be a bit of a veggie snob, though, since it's pretty much all I eat - so take my opinion for what it is). Here at least, TJ's has a tiny produce section, and nearly all of it is on styrofoam boards, then shrink wrapped. Ick.

I personally get most of my packaged items at TJ's, specialty items that TJ's doesn't have I get at Whole Foods or Wegman's, and my produce mainly from a local farm. I do all of these as I'm en route for another task (like driving home from work, visiting a friend for dinner, etc), so I don't feel I'm driving too much.

In any case, my point is, each are great at something. I love, love TJ's, but don't be put off by their produce section. They have a lot of other wonderful things to offer at great prices!

[Johnhw2]

Originally Posted by SunnyTXsmile

You'll probably love them. All of us here do. Great for packaged goods, etc. Fabulous prices. Their produce leaves much to be desired, though (at least to me, anyway - I can be a bit of a veggie snob, though, since it's pretty much all I eat - so take my opinion for what it is). Here at least, TJ's has a tiny produce section, and nearly all of it is on styrofoam boards, then shrink wrapped. Ick.

I personally get most of my packaged items at TJ's, specialty items that TJ's doesn't have I get at Whole Foods or Wegman's, and my produce mainly from a local farm. I do all of these as I'm en route for another task (like driving home from work, visiting a friend for dinner, etc), so I don't feel I'm driving too much.

In any case, my point is, each are great at something. I love, love TJ's, but don't be put off by their produce section. They have a lot of other wonderful things to offer at great prices!

Thanks for the report, got me even more exited to see them arrive. They took over space that use to be a large Kroger store but it was cut into 4 store fronts with TJ's the largest so we knew it was going to be limited in selections and some items. We have a Fresh Market right across the road from them while has nice fresh veggies along with Costco about two mies away with produce that fits out needs fine.

[mSooner]

I cant wait! Between Sprouts and TJ's I'm hoping to get all my shopping done cheaply!

[FreshH2o]

I might as well move to Plano now. From Whole Foods, Trader's Joe, Market Street to Central Market, they have all my favorite stores.

[TrueDat]

Originally Posted by Johnhw2

We have a Fresh Market right across the road from them while has nice fresh veggies along with Costco about two mies away with produce that fits out needs fine.

You don't mean this Fresh Market, do you? The Fresh Market - Experience the Food!
I liked them in South Florida -- sort of a smaller Central Market. But their web site is not showing any Texas locations.

[Johnhw2]

Originally Posted by TrueDat

You don't mean this Fresh Market, do you? The Fresh Market - Experience the Food!
I liked them in South Florida -- sort of a smaller Central Market. But their web site is not showing any Texas locations.

I meant the Whole Foods market, its an alternative to central market but not one my family raves about but it is a large store less than a mile from my home.