I love Trader Joe’s as much as the next gal. In fact my family would claim I’m a devotee to the grocer for the fact that I pride myself in being able to get in and out of TJs with a week’s worth of food in  22 minutes flat. Sure, I pick up some wrong products in my haste (“C’mon mom – tofu breakfast sausages? Can’t you stop and read the label?”)  but I know the layout pretty well, enjoy seeing my favorite cashiers, do my own bagging at top speed, and get the dreaded grocery shopping out of the way in record time.
So why am I at odds with the news that TWO additional Trader Joe’s will be opening along the 3rd Street corridor? Does too much of a good thing necessarily become a bad thing?
A brand-spanking new TJ’s is expected to open later this month on the NW corner of 3rd and Fairfax, across from the Farmer’s Market. This intersection has always been a deal breaker in getting me either west or north on time in an automobile, so I can’t imagine  a busy TJ’s there will improve that situation. But perhaps it is a good location for pedestrians coming over from Park LaBrea and the Farmer’s Market, that is if they don’t get caught first at Whole Foods just across the way.
Then just one mile further west, another store has been announced for the new Caruso development on Burton Way at 4th, just south of the Beverly Center. The “ship inspired” design of the luxury apartment building should fit nicely on the odd-shaped lot, and will include a Trader Joe’s on the lower level that is to offer grocery delivery to tenants (probably on a first-name basis from what we know of TJ service!) The eight story development is detailed an article in Curbed LAÂ this week that’s also loaded with construction photos.
I guess there really is no problem with three TJ’s lined up neatly in a queue, each a mile apart. It’s good food at reasonable prices, and the employees sure are amiable. It could even mean easier parking at my local store. But also could mean even more people will be serving the same ready-prepped TJ appetizers at local cocktail parties – and maybe that is too much of a good thing.
Now I know the unauthorized Trader Joe’s video below has been around the block, but it does make you smile. Sort of tells you why the chain just keeps marching forward opening new stores as fast as it can – it has a loyal following.
