Re: Trader Joe's

lovesrecess · ‎03-14-2010

Could be the their items get stale or rancid because they don’t turn over the stock in large volumes like big supermarkets.

agb80 · ‎10-16-2020

Whole Foods is better than Trader Joe's. TJ's are small stores with low ceilings, narrow aisles and their selection of produce not as big as Whole Foods. If you go to TJ's you will bump into other shoppers as it's that small. I have no idea what they did for the pandemic as many stores had to reduce their occupancy by having a person count as they came thru the door. No way to social distance in those stores and the checkout lanes are an absolute misery so close to together. I will not be subjected to that and stopped going a few years ago certainly would never subject myself to that during the pandemic.

Linmo · ‎12-16-2013

I shop Costco for everything that I need in larger amounts and Trader Joe's for smaller amounts of produce and their branded items. I use Safeway for basic staples.

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

TJ limits the number of people permitted in the store. So you do wait outside with distance markings on the sidewalk. I've only been there once since the pandemic since they were near my doctor's office and I needed milk.

I buy little produce there since they carry so little and I'm not impressed with their prices. They do always have a nice affordable selection in their very small grab and go floral department by the entrance. I like their dairy and selection of cheese. They have no butcher and the meats are prepacked. I never buy any. I also don't buy their bakery items.

I would often find some interesting beverages and juices.

They have different seasonal theme items. I never buy their mango products or the pumpkin stuff. Some people look forward to those products.

Alter Ego · ‎03-12-2010

It’s not a place I go to regularly, but I like Trader Joe’s for specific things. They have some unusual items and usually find something. It’s just not really close, so is an event when we go. BUT, as noted, it’s a smaller store and they are serious about the number of people in there. I’ve been to three TJ’s since Covid and there hasn’t been one time that I didn’t need to wait in line outside.

I do miss the store samples though!

SANNA · ‎04-23-2010

We are lucky here in NJ, we have every possible store. I have 2 of TJs in my vicinity.

But I never shop there. Maybe very very occasionally for particular items. Many of my friends love it. I find this chain very limited in choices ,especially top quality foods. Also it is always looks somewhat disheveled, messy. People who work there are super nice but they all look like potheads or recovering alcoholics ( same thing in California, my brother loves this store).

My favorite stores are Wegmans,Costco and my local Shoprite.

Flatbush · ‎07-18-2015

Have a TJ a few miles from my house. I like the flowers by the front door, the sourdough sliced bread is very good too. I like to toast it with butter.

I enjoy looking and buying ~~many~~ some of the candies. I also like many of the frozen desserts. I don't buy every thing there, but I do like to shop for certain items.

They have also been exceptionally careful since the virus, no problems there.

violann · ‎03-10-2010

@Tupe wrote:
I'm not a big fan. The prices to me are no better than other grocery stores. I have also found the quality of their food was not good. On more than one occassion in 3 different locations, items I bought were either stale or rancid. But that is only my opinion. I have many friends that swear by them.

Not sure, but TJ's sells many foods that are organic, or additive free, and in times of high stress on delivery, Ican think there might be problems of this type.

Haven't encountered any problems in my local store so far.........

violann · ‎03-10-2010

@agb80 wrote:
Whole Foods is better than Trader Joe's. TJ's are small stores with low ceilings, narrow aisles and their selection of produce not as big as Whole Foods. If you go to TJ's you will bump into other shoppers as it's that small. I have no idea what they did for the pandemic as many stores had to reduce their occupancy by having a person count as they came thru the door. No way to social distance in those stores and the checkout lanes are an absolute misery so close to together. I will not be subjected to that and stopped going a few years ago certainly would never subject myself to that during the pandemic.

Your generalization of ".......small stores with low ceilings......etc." is interesting, and certainly not applicable to the two stores in my area.

Our Whole Foods is also a lovely store, but the aisles are narrower than our TJs. No generalization intended, just different experience.

violann · ‎03-10-2010

@SANNA wrote:
We are lucky here in NJ, we have every possible store. I have 2 of TJs in my vicinity.
But I never shop there. Maybe very very occasionally for particular items. Many of my friends love it. I find this chain very limited in choices ,especially top quality foods. Also it is always looks somewhat disheveled, messy. People who work there are super nice but they all look like potheads or recovering alcoholics ( same thing in California, my brother loves this store).
My favorite stores are Wegmans,Costco and my local Shoprite.

"......potheads or recovering alcoholics......."?