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.

[Titty Meat]

Gonna check this place out tonight.

[Chiefaholic]

The wife and I prefer to shop late in the evening when most of the crowds are home. Open isles, short lines, get what you need and get the **** out.

[BigChiefFan]

Try the Peanut Butter cups.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Try the Peanut Butter cups.

Those are dangerous!!!!! Way too good and they embarrass Reese's.

[Silock]

Two buck chuck ftw. It's decent tasting, but the great part is that the alcohol content is super high. Win!

[rageeumr]

I've been trying to get to one since they opened in KC. But I live a long ass way from the Ward Parkway one, and it seems silly to go to the one in Leawood. You can't take advantage of one of the more important aspects (cheap, decent wine).

[suzzer99]

My Favorite stuff at TJs:

carne and pollo asada meat in a big plastic bag
etamame beans
onion and garlic toritillas (or onion and something)
pico de gallo salsa
canadian bacon
meatloaf
meat and chicken lasagna
4 cheese pizza (or maybe 5)
spring herb salad mix
albacore tuna in oil
some of the ready-to-eat Indian stuff
port salut cheese
chocolate bon bons
almond crunch cereal (so addictive)
italian chopped salad

[Stewie]

Sheesh! You'd think TJ was the all-end-all. It's ****ing Aldi with excellent marketing to the dumbasses.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Stewie

Sheesh! You'd think TJ was the all-end-all. It's ****ing Aldi with excellent marketing to the dumbasses.

They are popular because they offer quality at value. I fail to see how marketing has anything to do with it, as their circulars are newsletter format and I never bothered to even read it until I'd been a shopper for a good long while, and they don't advertise on radio/TV.

Their rep grew for me in this mannner, I'd browse their aisles, find something that looked tasty. Try it, love it, go back for more. Not everything is a hit with me, but what is a hit keeps me coming back.

If anything, their PRODUCTS are their own marketing, which is as it should be.

And actually Aldi has benefited greatly from its association with TJ. Their staples are still on par with store brand/generic, but they've added some great salsas and cheeses and a few higher end offerings, particularly frozen seafood.

[Fish]

Yeah... it's Aldi for people who think they're too good to be shopping at Aldi...

[griZZly64]

Trader Joes is just like Target.. Women cant get enough of those two stores. When women love your shit you're gunna get plenty of business.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

They are popular because they offer quality at value. I fail to see how marketing has anything to do with it, as their circulars are newsletter format and I never bothered to even read it until I'd been a shopper for a good long while, and they don't advertise on radio/TV.

Their rep grew for me in this mannner, I'd browse their aisles, find something that looked tasty. Try it, love it, go back for more. Not everything is a hit with me, but what is a hit keeps me coming back.

If anything, their PRODUCTS are their own marketing, which is as it should be.

And actually Aldi has benefited greatly from its association with TJ. Their staples are still on par with store brand/generic, but they've added some great salsas and cheeses and a few higher end offerings, particularly frozen seafood.

Their peach juice is amazing.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by rageeumr

I've been trying to get to one since they opened in KC. But I live a long ass way from the Ward Parkway one, and it seems silly to go to the one in Leawood. You can't take advantage of one of the more important aspects (cheap, decent wine).

I get a lot of funny looks, but this is exactly why I use the mini shopping cart for kids. It's the only way to navigate through the place with all the Kansas crowd.

FWIW, we shop at Aldi as well as TJ, Hyvee, Price Chopper, or anywhere else that has what we like for a price we are willing to pay.

[KCFANinNC]

Try the Mission St Ale's The brown is one of my favorites. 5.6% too

Orange chicken, fried eggplant, marinara in a green can, goat cheese, and flowers (to justify the beer) are bought every visit.

Produce usually is not that great of a deal.

The parent company is actually Aldi's and all of their products are re-branded.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

And actually Aldi has benefited greatly from its association with TJ. Their staples are still on par with store brand/generic, but they've added some great salsas and cheeses and a few higher end offerings, particularly frozen seafood.

This.

The frozen Chinese food (ie. orange chicken) from Aldi is superior to any other supermarket brand, including PF Chang's-in-a-box, and is on par with many of the decent restaurants around here.