That Old-Timey Trader Joe’s Feeling
March 11, 2008 – 10:24 amDo you wax nostalgic for a time when going to Manhattan’s only Trader Joe’s was an experience so exciting that you couldn’t contain yourself while standing outside the store just waiting to get in?
I sure don’t, since shopping at Trader Joe’s these days is about as enjoyable as a dentist appointment. But for those of you who do miss those days, there’s good news: THE LINE AT TRADER JOE’S IS BACK!
I caught this view outside of Trader Joe’s around 3pm on Sunday. It’s just like the good old days!
19 Responses
I actually wrote to Trader Joe’s about the appalling situation at the Union Square store.
This was the response I got back (rather polite, considering I used the words “catastrophe” and “pre-glasnost Soviet grocery store”):
“Thank you for your feedback and we hear you loud and clear. Unfortunately we have taken all the space that was available for this particular building. As you point out it is far over taxed when it pertains to the space. We are working on some minor improvements but the only real relief will be additional city stores. As I’m sure you know NYC retail real estate is the most expensive space in the country which makes finding that space very tough. I am hopeful the Brooklyn store opening later this year will take some pressure off. “
By Sarah on Mar 11, 2008
Seriously, it makes paying for gas and tolls to go to the TJ’s in New Jersey worth it. You could even hit up the Mitsuwa as they’re neighbors. The only problem is you come home
smelling like Jersey… decisions, decisions.
Then again, when I lived in RI, I still drove up to Boston for TJ’s so maybe I shouldn’t be pointing fingers…
By AJ on Mar 11, 2008
My girlfriend and I shop there, and we fucking own that place. We get in and out in about 45 minutes. You have to approach it like a challenge.
yes, I am slightly competitive.
By Chris on Mar 11, 2008
Just move to the midwest, our TJ never has a line.
By Amy in StL on Mar 11, 2008
Yes, I waited in line when it first opened. (I’m full of shame.)
Worse than the line was the group of four guys who pushed their way to the front. The old lady behing me yelled and they said, “It’s ok, we’re from Texas.”
She gave them an earful about going back to help Bush find WMDs. It was awesome.
By Kate on Mar 11, 2008
You have to grab your cart and scan up and down the aisles really fast then you get in line and get your veggies, bread, meat and diary on your way around the store. That is my strategy for that place. Also, noon on Wednesday is prime time, it’s pretty empty. I would NEVER wait in line there, EVER. Who does that?
By *Red on Mar 11, 2008
Hmm.. That looks suspiciously like a line to get into Palladium, the NYU dorm that TJ’s rents its space from, rather than to TJ’s.
By Alex on Mar 11, 2008
I don’t get it. I just don’t get the Trader Joe’s phenomenon. I find their stuff overrated and the experience horrible. Is it really worth it?
By Ben K. on Mar 11, 2008
…and that’s why you NEVER go to TJ’s on a Sunday.
By emily on Mar 11, 2008
makes me feel young again
By irina on Mar 12, 2008
Alex: Um, look a little closer next time. There hasn’t been a line to get into Palladium since it was a dance club over a decade ago. Why would people be lining up to get into a dorm, and why would that line start at the front door of Trader Joe’s?
By Chris on Mar 12, 2008
I came home laden today with the best clementines of the season, tasty cherry tomatoes, and a shopping bag full of other stuff for under $25. For those prices, I could not care less about atmosphere.
By BaHa on Mar 13, 2008
TJ’s Harlem!!! Plenty of space available for a limited time!
By Berry on Mar 13, 2008
I am so lucky that to have several Trader Joe’s stores within a very quick walk or drive. This is why people live in Los Angeles.
By Greg on Mar 13, 2008
NYUnion Square Cafe-teria
By frooooooooo on Mar 13, 2008
Umm, this was 3pm on a weekend. Go at 3pm during the week or just before closing. No lines….
By Kilgore on Mar 13, 2008
Walk in LA? Greg, nobody walks to TJ in LA.
By jim on Mar 14, 2008
Here’s another vote for TJ’s Brooklyn.
Until then, I’m with Chris. You’ve gotta shop while you’re in line, not before you get in line. It’s all about strategy, especially on a Sunday.
By Sarah on Mar 17, 2008
As a Crew Member of the Union Square Trader Joe’s (and a long-time customer of this and many other of our stores) I wanted to extend my apologies on the behalf of our crew for this inconvenience of our establishment. We do appreciate your patience and continued patronage, and I would like to personally add these tips that hopefully will make your shopping experience easier and less stressful:
1) COME EARLY IN THE MORNING. We open at 9 a.m. everyday and usually you can get to a register with very little (if any!) wait. Weekdays (non-holidays) are the best, but even on a Sunday the lines are usually pretty short before noon.
2) DON’T LET BAD WEATHER HINDER YOUR SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. COME ON BY! For some reason, when it isn’t so nice outside, people tend to shop less for groceries. Our store gets much less crowded then, but we still want to see you! Take advantage of this situation. A rainy day is your time to shine.
3) SHOP WITH A BUDDY. Good things do come in pairs. What I like to do at the end of my shift on a busy Sunday is meet up with my wife (never a bad thing), grab a cart and IMMEDIATELY GET IN LINE. She picks out things for us around the aisles and brings them back to the cart while I cover the perimeters. By the time we have the cart filled we are practically at the register! Teamwork gets the job done.
4) ASK FOR OUR ASSISTANCE. Any crew member should be able to help you fetch an item you may has missed or let you know the status of one that we may not have in stock during your visit. We don’t want you to lose your place in line over a couple of bananas. We are here to help…
…’Cause, hey, we shop here, too.
Thanks for reading.
Evan, Crew Member, Trader Joe’s Store #540, Union Square, New York, New York
P.S.: “Don’t be shy, feel free to smile and say, Hi!.” I’d love to meet you the next time you stop by for a visit. Let me know what you think of these tips, too. I welcome your feedback.
By Evan S. on Apr 23, 2008