Trader Joe's - My Kind of Supermarket

Within a radius of three miles, I have a choice of five supermarkets. I shop at all of them at one time or another. For the most part, however, they are much the same except for Trader Joe's. This store is different. It seems to be the one I gravitate to when I need to buy a few things or when I buy for the week. It is also the one that has the most unique products that I have learned to enjoy eating. For those of you who know nothing about this grocery store let me present some background information quoted from store literature.

"To date, Trader Joe's celebrates 45 years of consistent growth as a nationwide chain of neighborhood grocery stores. Trader Joe's began in 1958 as a chain of Los Angeles convenience stores called "Pronto" markets. In 1967, the founder, Joe Coulombe, wanted to expand the store's offerings and better explain the unique buying process where buyers travel the world, seeking out interesting products at an exceptional value. Joe changed the name and offered hard to find, domestic and imported wines, and gourmet food items at outstanding prices. And voila!... Trader Joe's was born.

"Trader Joe's products are unique: many are made exclusively for us, to our specifications. Over 80% of our items are private label from trader Darwin's vitamins to Trader José's salsas. When we put an item in our private label, we make sure it has no artificial flavors and colors and no preservatives. In order for the item to be sold in our stores, it must pass scrutiny of a discerning tasting panel. We figure, if we don't like its taste or see a value in the product, how can we expect our customers to buy it? We hope our customers will savor our choices." Quote from a promotional brochure.

The staff who man the registers and stock the shelves are friendly and upbeat. To me it's a genuine pleasantness about them. The other stores attempt to be friendly, but I sense they are just parroting the training they received from their superiors. By the way, the discerning tasting panel referred to in the previous paragraph is the staff at the store. Oftentimes as I am checking out, the checker will comment that they like this product. They sometimes will comment about trying such and such product because it is similar but has a more mellow taste. I often take their advice.

Their products are reasonably priced and many are unique to Trader Joe's. No other supermarket or grocery store carries a good percentage of their products. They always offer coffee and tasting station for products they are promoting. I also like the fact that the store is not huge. For me it is just the right size. The decorating style is "folksy" and casual. While I would not say that shopping at Trader Joe's gives me great joy (I basically don't like to shop), it is always a pleasant experience.

My only disappointment is they are not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages in my state in a grocery store. I truly miss a product called Charles Shaw. This product is a delightful red wine that sells for three dollars. It is affectionally called "Three Buck Chuck". It used to be called "Two Buck Chuck" before the price was raised.

If you are fortunate to be close to this grocery store, by all means stop by and enjoy the experience.