Trader Joes Arrives

No more updates - TJ's is here

As a transplant to the Twin Cities from California, I’ve been waiting for this store to open as anxiously as many Minnesotans wait for the fishing opener.

Trader Joe’s: an exotic, mysterious name for those unfamiliar with the grocery chain. For the initiated, the name stirs excitement and a little pang of hunger for uncommon, delightful fare.

But what is “Trader Joe’s”? and why all the hubbub about what on the surface looks like just another grocery store—albeit one plastered with hand-drawn signs and attended by chipper, Hawaiian-shirt wearing clerks? To begin with, Trader Joe’s is to a generic grocery store what gravlax is to fishsticks . Taking the form of an innovative, unique, neighborhood grocery store with an amazing range of foods and beverages from the exotic to the everyday. There is an extensive array of domestic and imported foods and beverages including fresh baked artisan breads, Arabica bean coffees at prices starting about $5.00.per pound, international frozen entrées, 100% juices, fresh crop nuts, deli items, and vitamins and supplements, as well as the basics, like milk, eggs and paper towels. But as a Jewish shopper, I’m most impressed with the large—and ever growing—selection of kosher items, ranging from cholov yisroel feta cheese to glatt kosher chicken to dried bing cherries and fruit leather, all at excellent prices that have kept me schlepping back from both coasts with goodie-laden bags

Walking through the new store, Trader Joe’s is also a wacky store, featuring a festive mixture of the pseudo-polynesian and traditional Minnesotan. Artwork throughout the store incorporates Twin City landmarks such as the St. Louis Park water tower and the worlds first concrete grain elevator, images of the Foshay Tower—redubbed the “Joe’shay” tower. There is also a model ice fishing shack replica with a Trader Joe’s twist incorporated inside the store. An early partnership with Free Arts of Minnesota has lead to a quilt display by survivors of domestic violence.

While you may come for the assortment, you’ll likely stay for the prices which are very competitive, particularly in the meat department. The prices on chicken start at $2.29/lb for whole and cut-up Aaron’s chicken. David’s ground beef is on offer at $3.99 a pound and turkey breast costs $2.49 per pound. TJ's publishes a regular list of its kosher products and their hechshers, including a pretty detailed list of the rabbinical authorities who are responsible for supervision—free for the asking. Kosher products also have shelf labels with a special mark.

Why are the prices so low? To begin with, Trader Joe’s buys differently than other grocers by purchase from manufacturers, rather than through distributors. Typically, they take a brand name product, remove the preservatives and artificial colors and ingredients, and put it under their Trader Joe’s label to sell it a discounted price. You won’t always find the same thing from trip to trip: if you love it, but it. Also, says local manager, “Capitan”Hugh Armel, when given the option of being able to choose between making a product cheaper or kosher, Trader Joe’s is investing in kashrus.

In a separate department of the store, there is a large selection of international wines and beers. The kosher selection is not large, featuring at present three kinds of wine—a chardonnay and a cabernet from Herzog in California and an interesting French Pays d’Oc merlot from Baron Herzog.

The new grocery store is located at 4500 Excelsior Blvd, at the corner of Monterey and Excelsior, in St. Louis Park. The full-service grocery store will be open daily from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm. There is ample parking either adjacent to the store or in the ramp 1/2 block away. The local staff are helpful and always willing to help with good advice or carrying your bags.