Trader Joe's: Hot to Not in One Month's Time?

1.

and thank god. finally, i can do my shopping in peace.

2.

I wonder why there were such huge lines there in the first place. And what happened now that the lines disappeared? I wanted to check this store out, but I was not going to spend 45 min in line. Maybe the Trade Joe shoppers can share their experiences.

3.

I'm with #1. Now I can get my Cali fix without the NYC pressure.

4.

I don't know what you're talking about! I haven't seen a line there for at least two weeks... I went at 1pm two Sundays ago and there was no line, either.

There was a line at 8:45 yesterday morning to get in before 9, but it was only about 10 deep.

5.

As stated in the post, we're talking weekdays after 5, when everyone gets out of work and hits it up on the way home.

6.

Following up on #2, here's an email Curbed recently received:

Enquiring Angelenos want to know about reactions to the Union Square Trader Joe's. It's been open for a while now. Yes, you had much coverage about the hype and the crowds. Even a little feedback on the Three Buck Chuck.

Now that some of you have presumably shopped there several times, what's the reaction to their offerings? Any favorite products? Any recipes? Any addictions? Anything that was unexpectedly lousy? How about the Sweet Mole flavored tortilla chips? The cinammon buns? The Salsa flavored potato chips? The wasabi peas? The rice cracker mix? The chocolate-covered peanut-butter-filled pretzels? The turkey meatloaf? The weird German soup cans? The variety of beers? Let's hear from you!

7.

I was there at 8:30 and both the express line and the regular line reached the back of the store. not as bad as usual, but certainly a line..

8.

I went there at 6pm on a weekday last week and there was no line. The checkout line was loooong but was maybe 20 minutes total.
TJ's is good for prepackaged food -- the frozen stuff is good, the condiments are nice, the dried fruit and nuts are excellent and cheap, the "Pound Plus" chocolate bar by the checkout line is on par with Ghirardelli. Its terrible if you are a cook -- small amount of produce, blah cheese/dairy, no meat or fish that I saw. Its basically a cheaper alternative to takeout.

9.

I'm a Gramercy resident and new fan of Trader Joes. Their dark chocloate covered espresso beans are a brilliant idea. Now I can have the flavor and the caffine whenever I want without having to be that guy . . . you know, that guy who makes his own espresso. Chips and salsa are great, too. Haven't tried the three buck chuck yet because, frankly, the idea of drinking wine that cost me only three dollars scares me a bit. But we'll see.

10.

It was a beautiful night....most people had the sense to spend it outside with a drink somewhere and took the night off from Trader's - hence the 8:30 post-cocktail line

11.

oh, come on people, it's so obvious that all those lemmings...err...people are now in line at shake shack.

12.

I went shopping with my wife the first week Trader Joe's was open. We were sorely disappointed with the quality of their products - I had heard so much hype from my California relations... and I thought they had a reputation for healthy foods.

When I got home I discovered that the Mexican meals I had purchased were all loaded with trans-fats. (It is now recommended that one should not eat any trans-fats.) We also purchased several pieces of frozen fish which turned out to be rubbery and tasteless. I guess they are decent for purchasing large packages of nuts but I don't think I will be shopping there much...

13.

I agree with #8. Trader Joe's is like 60 % prepared foods...its good for buying items like Enchilada Salsa or the Spinakopitas...
...Anyway I am glad the Disney-like lines are over....

14.

The line outside is less prevalent but the inside checkout line still tends to reach around the whole back of the store. I'm guessing that things have gotten less congested because the initially curious have left, some have hated the long lines and others maybe didn't find it as good as the suburban ones they're used to.

15.

I went there last Friday at about 7:30pm and there was no line, and not that many people in the store or the checkout line. That store sucks--ugly, cramped, boring. And the food is just tossed about in racks. No "presentation". It could only appeal to impoverished faux-hippies. The Food Emporium across the street is a better shopping experience.

16.

I usually go around noon while normal people are working and the line inside the store is still pretty significant. I don't think they are hurting.

17.

The Food Emporium represents all that is evil, for so many reasons.

Trader Joe's is a ray of sunshine. $3.29 for a pound of wild rice, $1.89 for cereal bars, inexpensive pomegranite juice, $3-something bags of frozen gyoza dumplings, and $3.50 pound packages of unsweetened baking butter make poor people like me very happy. Besides, everyone knows you don't buy your produce there, but rather at your neighborhood stand.

The wine store is also pretty awesome. I'm particularly a fan of all the inexpensive old vine Zins.

18.

I have to laugh that, in a city where it costs at least $50 for a VERY modest dinner for 2 and $2,000/mo. for a habitable apartment, people even have an awareness of what groceries cost. Seriously, that Food Emporium is far more spacious than TJ. The TJ clientele are going to be fat heart attack victims quite soon.

19.

TJs is way overrated. I've been to them in sole-less land that is Silicon Valley and understand why they work there because so many people out there don't really cook. It is good for me when I'm there on business because I can get packaged food that's decent vs. chain restaurants.

However, this place will not be successful in NYC. They might hang around but why would I shop there? No produce or any range of cooking items. Yea, they have some quirky packaged nuts but please people. That ain't gettin' me back. I hate packed, bumper car shopping and this place is that way even when it doesn't have a line outside. I'll keep going to Whole Paycheck down the street where I can at least do all my shopping and pop over to the Union Sq. greenmarket for add'l local produce. And to that moron who said you get your produce from your corner deli...good luck with that and whatever mysterious afflictions you derive from it. Ask them if it's organic and I'm sure they'll say yea.

20.

AJB, what I think is funny are the suckers who pay a premium for organic food thinking that it's making a big difference in their health.

21.

Just so you know, Bing, people don't buy organic for their health. They do it for environmental reasons.

22.

some of us also eat organic because it tastes better in addition to being better for the environment, the workers and one's health.

23.

Where do they prepare all the pre-prepared foods? Locally? Shipped in? In the city?

24.

although organic food should be bought for environmental reasons, everyone should know, that means your health too.

25.

I've been to TJ's twice since it opened, but for very specific things. Fortunately for me, all the items I happen to love can be picked up along the way of the checkout line: avocados (very cheap), mini pitas, hummus (very tasty), Greek yogurt, milk, Banana Nut Clusters cereal (better and cheaper than Banana Nut Crunch. So, even with the lines, I've been in and out in about 20 minutes.

26.

bing - you disparage other posters for not "treating their body like a temple" in another TJS thread and now you criticize those of us that respect our bodies and environment by eating organic. such mixed messages. you also recommended shopping for fruits and vegetables at an EV deli and buying bread at moishes. i've been to both places - they offer mediocore, industrial food at best. to use your words, how is that treating your body like a temple?

27.

I went to Trader Joe's when it opened, and I haven't been back. Even for NY, the aisles are too cramped, the store is an unorganized mess, and the selection is quirky but incomplete for a grocery store. Why would I shop at TJ's if I still have to go to D'AG to finish my shopping? Not that I would go to D'AG or Gristedes anyway; real New Yorkers use Fresh Direct. Cheaper, Better, & delivered to my door. It's organic too--

28.

Trader Joe's: a nice place to buy snacks.

29.

This "real New Yorkers only shop at x" crap is ludicrous at best. Guess what? Fresh Direct didn't exist five years ago, and I'm pretty sure there were New Yorkers back then. These stores (D'Ag, Food Emporium, Whole Foods, TJ's, corner delis) are all thriving in this city because "real New Yorkers" of one kind or another like to shop there. Case closed. So the impoverished hippies go to TJ's, while the nouveau riche hippies go to Whole Foods. And?
I'm with #25 and #28- Trader Joe's is fantastic for very specific things, and crap for others. The Associated Foods a block from my apartment will sell me butter and eggs, and the TJ's supplements that with goofy frozen meals and cheap Greek yogurt. If you want a one-stop shopping experience, move to Long Island and buy your groceries, clothing, and furniture at the mega Walmart. I'll be in Manhattan, making the most of this city.

30.

I like it. I'll go back. It's a great alternative to other shops. I don't see why people have to be so vitriolic about their preferences, though. Choices are good.

31.

At least we can all agree that DUMBO sucks.

32.

Just to tell it like it is...

Whole Foods is good for produce and meats
Fresh Direct is good for lazy/busy people
Trader Joes is good for wine, beer and prepared food.
The corner deli is good for nothing but getting ripped off.

33.

#31 - You got that right. If they put TJ in DUMBO, that would be hell of a combination.

34.

I agree with #32, with the note that in a month or two, most of my produce will come from the farmer's market. I'm an avid cook, but am certainly not above TJ's banana crisps, chive-cilantro dip, black pepper cashews, mango sauce, and tomato bisque. And as for transfats, I read the labels before I purchase, not after I get stuff home.

35.

TJ's Guacomole is the absolutely delicous, and highly recommended...may actually be worth the wait...and it's packaged to last in your fridge for over a week...

36.

What is wrong with DUMBO?!?!

37.

Whats wrong with DUMBO?

It's full of losers who keep trying to justify to themselves that it was worth paying 85% manhattan prices to live there.

A self selecting breed of tossers live there!

38.

Did you people see the same produce area I saw? 5-lb bags of excellent Bosc pears for $5... ultra-cheap baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, etc.... So far I'm excited by the produce & by the more natural varieties of prepared food (like the amazing, addictive & cheap multi-flavor pack of hummus).

39.

Take a look at the ingredients folks...they ain't all natural.

40.

Regarding the corner deli's... (#32) - yes they are more expensive, but you are paying for convenience - many are open 24/7 and you don't have to go very far to get basics (and beyond).

I don't do much of my shopping there, but I sure am glad they're around when I'm feeling like crap and am out of aspirin - or I simply must have a pint of Ben & Jerry's at 2AM. Imagine our great city without them, not a happy picture. If what you want in there is too expensive, then walk to the nearest big store... or wait until morning.

I for one, am really glad they're around. Also, because of their small size, we know each other by name. Never happens at TJ or WF or Dag's etc...

41.

BTW, I walked by TJ's yesterday evening at around 7:30 and there was again a line outside, so I guess it's still pretty hot.

42.

I went to TJ's on Friday afternoon around 4 PM - there wasn't a line out the door, but the store was crowded and unpleasant. I guess I'd have to go back there at an earlier hour to really get the lay of the land there, but I came away with the impression that it was disorganized and had an incomplete selection of foods.

43.

#19 AJB - You are so wrong - We shopped in Cali too. LINES - you all are jaded NYer's - "If it does not have a line, I don't think it can be any good?" That mentality would have made CATS the "best" thing ever produced on earth. We shop in many different shops, stores, and markets - most have no long lines - and that's okay, we still shop there, too.
You also must not know (or be one of)the 1,000's of New Yorkers that order food, mostly crappy food and eat it time and time again - They love frozen stuff, too. Families balancing babies, childern, and two or 3 jobs, etc...
We await one in Brooklyn - hopefully close to us in the North Slope.
AND NO MSG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ETC... thank you TJ's for coming to NY City.

44.

you ppl kill me - cheap food isn't the domain for impoverished hippies. the shopping experience? guess in this city there are planty of folks who will pay more for a better presentation, etc... but that doesn't mean better food per se. Our combined income is high but a $3 frozen stir fry dinner for busy NY'ers is great. I also order FreshDirect but their produce and veggies suck. Organic food tastes better to me and if you are reading the labels then you'll see there is a difference with additives. Cracks me up how ppl always need to criticize - TJ's has cheap, quality food. I leave FE, Grist or Assoc with 1 or 2 bags and ended spending $50. i don't think I can carry that much back from TJ's myself. Cereals, frozen meals, snacks. What's wrong with that??

45.

Went into TJ's again last night. The store is a joke. Limited selection & clueless employees.
Thanks, but no thanks...I'll stick with Whole Foods Market - better products, same prices and I always feel like they actually appreciate my business.

46.

I love TJ's. I'm neither inpoverished or a hippie.
And I lug it home on the bus to Soho. I can never find a cab around there.
I love the variety of odd things there. I usually hate "organic" places and the food usually is uninteresting and cardboardy. But TJ's makes the food charming and interesting to me, a semi-foodie.
Check out the chocolate Jo-jo's (like Oreos only WAY better)! They're addictive!

47.

When I saw Trader Joes stores in Westchester I thought they were great. Wonderful, unique gourmet and natural selections including some organic (its not a health food store, but there is a crossover, and nothing has artifical, trans fat, preservative anything, but its still not all healthy) but totally inaccessible. Now thats there is one in New York City, its the WORST STORE I CAN IMAGINE. For us, a store smaller than the roomy suburban versions with narrower isles, but 19 cashiers, so they knew the crowds they were expecting, and the lines run all the way around the perimeter of the store all the way the way to the door (where the cashiers are). The store is so crowded you cant move or see anything, which is necessary a Trader Joes, with its unique and rotating stock. By putting a mini store in a super busy area, 14th street and 3rd avenue, 1 block from Union Square, 2 blocks from Broadway, 2 blocks from giant private housing projects Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, and under a cluster of New York University dorms, they are showing what they think of customers in New York City. Trader Joes is a destination in itself. They can put it in an out of the way location and people will go there. If they choose to pay top dollar to put it in the middle of everything, and they put in a mini store with about 3 times the amount of cashiers as roomy suburban stores, they show what they think of us and we should show what we think of them by staying away. When Trader Joes was a inaccessible suburban store I thought it was great. When they put their mini store in a maxi part of Manhattan they showed what they think of us. Please dont do us any favors by opening any more stores in NYC, one is MORE than enough. TRADER JOES SUCKS. Thanks for nothing.

48.

just don't work there. it's a horrible place to work.

49.

I hate Trader Joe's. AI have been there twice, it is over priced and they didn't have the items i needed. I picked up a bag of frozen Chicken Wings taht looked pretty good, so my next stop was the salad dressing isle. NO BLUE CHEESE. I even asked a store worker and they said they didn't carry it. Why the hell do you sell chicken wings then?? idiots. they don't have Riccotta cheese either. A can of olives was $2.29. Trader Joe's SUCKS BALLS!