Trader Joes KC

[Deberg_1990]

Anyone been yet? Whats the fuss? Its just a grocery store right?



http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_c...full=yes&pbr=1



Fast forward to this week's hot July weekend in Kansas City and Friday's grand opening of not just one, but two TRADER JOE'S grocery stores---the upscale sister business of German owned ALDI stores.

A grand opening without any advertising no less!

(Note: TJ's takes all credit cards. Aldi doesn't take any. And the second TJ location is at 119th and Roe in Leawood.)

Barricades at Ward Parkway Center, security officers, long lines, humanity in mass. You'd think these people had never been to a modern supermarket. Or God forbid, a WHOLE FOODS.

As I was driving past the new Trader Joe's off State Line Friday morning, I swore to stay away from the place for at least a month before checking it out. But curiosity got the best of me Sunday afternoon and off to Ward Parkway Center it was.

Trying to find a parking spot anywhere close was a major challenge. But I lucked out with a spot on the far north side of Target's parking area.

What did I find inside the new store?

Massive crowds, many semi-empty shelves that couldn't be restocked fast enough and some pretty tasty looking goodies. Pricing at first glance seemed to be good to average. A six pack of Beck's beer $6.99, while a gallon of milk sold for $2.99---good prices.

Did I stock up?

No way! Eight checkout lanes. Each with lines at least 20 shoppers deep.

Will I go back? Sure, why not---when things have settled down a bit that is. Until then, it's HyVee, Price Chopper---and dare I suggest--Whole Foods for me.

[Rain Man]

I shop at Trader Joe's when I'm in California once or twice a year, and it kind of freaks me out that there are no brands that I recognize. It's a fine store, but it's odd to go into a grocery store and see nothing from Minute Maid, Nabisco, et al.

[blaise]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I shop at Trader Joe's when I'm in California once or twice a year, and it kind of freaks me out that there are no brands that I recognize. It's a fine store, but it's odd to go into a grocery store and see nothing from Minute Maid, Nabisco, et al.

"I only shop there. I live in LA. I've never even heard of Nabisco."

- Dane

[loochy]

Originally Posted by blaise

"I only shop there. I live in LA. I've never even heard of Nabisco."

- Dane

I had sex with Angelina Jolie on the checkout belt last week. It's no biggie. That happens all the time here in LA. She's a cool girl. I'm so awesome. QUIT STEALING MP3s and ILLEGALLY DOWNLOADING MOVIES!

-Dane

[angelo]

I went to the ward parkway location Saturday afternoon 4 pm and it was a mad house. People were shoving past everyone. I did not last long. I returned Sunday morning at 8 am and there were maybe 20 people waiting to get inside. I had more time to shop and picked up an assortment of there goods. What I have tried has been quite good.

Pear sauce (think apple sauce) it was really nice.
Triple ginger snaps. Excellent ginger bite and flavor.
Pineapple juice. Very Good (not from concentrate)
Orange Juice. good but seemed to lack flavor (not from concentrate)
Organic eggs. Very good flavor and dark orange yolk
Trader Jo's Root Beer. Ok it is no IBC rootbeer.

They will be definitely competing with the Market in Brookside. Their price seem good.

I like the fact that they carry some different produce and different meats.

Ang

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by angelo

Pear sauce (think apple sauce) it was really nice.

They used to have a Peach Sauce that was the best waffle topping. Most missed TJs discontinued item ever.

As I mentioned earlier, family went to new KC store Sunday. Now they're raving about a new offering, Sparkling Clementine Juice.

[jiveturkey]

I went and it was beyond packed. I do like that it's taking people away from Whole Foods. The one on 119th is always nuts to butts and yesterday was a little more laid back.

[DaFace]

I've been to one in DC a couple times. The entire place is pretty much house brands, but the quality level is certainly much higher than "Great Value" and that type of thing. People who do a lot of shopping there swear it's less expensive than about any other grocery store out there, but the quality is just as good. I couldn't really judge from my limited experience, though.

They also have a pretty good selection of "hippy" food (as I affectionately call it), such as organic foods, gluten free stuff, and a plethora of stuff that vegetarians would like.

[blaise]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I've been to one in DC a couple times. The entire place is pretty much house brands, but the quality level is certainly much higher than "Great Value" and that type of thing. People who do a lot of shopping there swear it's less expensive than about any other grocery store out there, but the quality is just as good. I couldn't really judge from my limited experience, though.

They also have a pretty good selection of "hippy" food (as I affectionately call it), such as organic foods, gluten free stuff, and a plethora of stuff that vegetarians would like.

Seems like most of the larger grocery chains have quite a bit of this kind of stuff now, too.

Not that I' saying Trader Joe's doesn't have more or better, just that a lot of grocery chains have added a lot of that.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I've been to one in DC a couple times. The entire place is pretty much house brands, but the quality level is certainly much higher than "Great Value" and that type of thing. People who do a lot of shopping there swear it's less expensive than about any other grocery store out there, but the quality is just as good. I couldn't really judge from my limited experience, though.

They also have a pretty good selection of "hippy" food (as I affectionately call it), such as organic foods, gluten free stuff, and a plethora of stuff that vegetarians would like.

Actually, a lot of them are name brands, but they package them as house brands so people don't say "why would I buy XXX at the grocery store when TJs has it $.50 cheaper."

I, and my family [who went there gleefully, Sunday], are totally in the cult of Trader Joes. I don't buy everything there [I still prefer cheap produce to expensive 'hippy' produce, same with dairy and eggs], but their meat, frozen and especially 'trail mix' aisles are de rigeur.

[ReynardMuldrake]

I went last night. The prices are good and the employees were very friendly.

[Kerberos]

Originally Posted by DaFace

They also have a pretty good selection of "hippy" food (as I affectionately call it), such as organic foods, gluten free stuff, and a plethora of stuff that vegetarians would like.

Hippy food? That is an interesting way of putting it.


I have been to Trader Joes here in Vegas and Henderson many different times for many different reasons but most of it boils down to getting organic foods for me. They are a fresh alternative to the regular grocery store and they don't really carry much that isn't organic here. It is nice to read a lable and know what is in my food that doesn't have a name that I need google to find out what it is.

Trader Joes is far enough away for me that I only go there once or twice a month.

[Rams Fan]

Trade Joe's kicks ass.

No brand names that you would know, but good quality and prices.

[underEJ]

I first started going to Trader Joes 20 years ago and considered it a great place for wine, cheese, nuts, and trail mix. Since then it has really grown on me as a complete grocery store, and yes the quality is very high for the price. I eat out of a microwave alot due to work schedule, and Trader Joes makes that seem less gross with some really nice quality frozen and prepared food sections.

Very rare to find something I don't like there. I still have to supplement with some produce and specialty items from whole foods, but overall it's a regular stop for me and I have come to trust the Trader Joes brand.

I do give them shit regularly about the bottled water from New Zealand. Is it really a good idea to ship bottled water 7000 miles to a country that has plenty of bottled water?

[ToxSocks]

I haven't been to Trader Joe's in years. Shit was way overpriced. Not sure what it's like now.

Not a huge fan of it. Good for some things, but I couldn't do all my shopping there.