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Who HASN'T been shopping at Burien Trader Joe's?

Started 3 years ago by Bikefor1
Latest reply from andrea

Bikefor1
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I have it from a very good source that Burien's Trader Joe's has been losing business and is considering a move to Renton. Personally I find this hard to believe, it always seemed to be bustling when I was in there. TR, can you look into this? What a bummer. Where would that leave West Seattleites?

Posted 3 years ago #
GenHillOne
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With a Trader Joe's?

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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Bikefor1- I haven't been shopping there. It just turned into too big of a hassle, and I also started using AmazonFresh. I used to love my weekly trips to TJ's...but then gas got so expensive and my car isn't as spry as it used to be. Suffice to say, if TJ's moved to West Seattle, I would be shopping there weekly. The trip to South Burien just is too much.

Posted 3 years ago #
austin
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I also haven't been shopping there. It's much easier for me to drop by the queen anne or u-district locations when I'm on the mainland than it is to get an hour south to burien.

Posted 3 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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Sorry Bikefor1- but I have to agree with JenV and Austin. I never find myself in the Burien area and work near the Capital Hill location. So for those times when the local West Seattle stores and Amazon Fresh dont meet my needs I go to the Capital Hill location.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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i was there last night..

but i admit that for my bigger trader joes shopping expeditions i have been going to the capital hill location.. it's less hassle and there is a good canned foods grocery outlet nearby on MLK.

i would love to have a trader joes in West Seattle. i think it would do really well.

Posted 3 years ago #
guidosmom
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Every time I go to Trader Joe's in Burien they are PACKED. I heard they were putting one in the junction. Does anyone know if this is true?

Posted 3 years ago #
shihtzu
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When I go, I do go the Burien TJ's. However, I've been trying to cut down on the junk food and found that the stuff I really like at TJ's is the junk. I still go occasionally, to stock up on crackers, snack stuff and fun food, but don't use it as regularly as I used to.

I shop mostly at Costco and have recently discovered the joys of Amazon Fresh!

Posted 3 years ago #
andrea
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I am at the Burien Trader Joe's at least once a week. I love it there! I hate the Queen Anne one. Too crowded and almost no parking. The Burien store is consistently busy when I'm there and the parking situation is so much better. I would hate to lose them there, but would be happy if it was due to a move somehwere here in WS!

Posted 3 years ago #
shihtzu
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Regarding TJs in West Seattle, about a year ago I overheard the workers talking about West Seattle and asked if there was going to be one. They said probably not due to parking issues. With all of these new buildings being built with parking garages though, maybe???

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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yeah, maybe they can put one in next to Whole Foods, which is next to QFC, which is across the street from Safeway! Ugh. I would take TJ's here in WS over any of those stores!

Posted 3 years ago #
Sue
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I was just there yesterday. I probably go every 3-4 weeks and spend quite a lot of $ when I do go. They're certainly not hurting financially because of me. :)

I agree though that it's always packed there and it's hard to find parking, so I find the idea that their losing money rather curious.

Posted 3 years ago #
Bayou
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I haven't been shopping there as much as usual either since Amazon Fresh has become my godsend of a grocery store on wheels. When I must go, that's the location that is closest for me. At one point, I went every week or two but now, only every 3-4 weeks.

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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I would rather have back the small Fred Meyer that used to be on Roxbury. You can put it near highpoint or Delridge, where no grocery stores exist. Don't care for TJ's.

Posted 3 years ago #
ellenater
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I go once every month or so. It's too far to go more often. There are some TJ staples that I can't live without, or find anywhere else. It's funny, too because I don't know what the "real" brands are and cannot, therefore, purchase elsewhere. I wouldn't be surprised if they are losing some business to Amazon Fresh, my new love. It's the greatest thing ever. One last thing: Last time we were at TJ's I thought it was a little spendier. Anyone else notice this?

Posted 3 years ago #
GenHillOne
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You know, JT, in the same vein...has anyone else noticed that Target is really starting to expand their grocery section? They even have small coolers (milk) and a freezer on one wall. Last time I noticed some canned vegetables. They've had wine for awhile too. I usually cruise through the snacks to see if they have anything different than the grocery store - breaking up the sack lunch routine. I haven't compared prices yet, but was a bit surprised.

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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I have. And the prices are actually good. They still have wine, btw, a whole row. And back by seasonal they have bulk food often too.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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Target developed their super stores while i was in Minnesota.

at first the prices and the selection were incredible. i was impressed!

but it didn't take long for the selection to slide and the prices to go up.

they are to the twin cities what fred meyers is here.. only freddies still does it better.

Posted 3 years ago #
Zenguy
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JoB, I have been to T1.

I just checked Trader Joe's website and there are no "opening soon" locations in our neck of the woods. Bummer!

Posted 3 years ago #
villagegreen
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Must represent my Minnesota pride - I prefer Target over Fred Meyer. The food selection isn't nearly as extensive, but the prices are great. Baby food is cheater at Target than Costco. Beat that. And shopping at Target doesn't make me feel like I'm in a Wal-Mart (which Fred Meyer does). I'm sure there are pros to Fred Meyer, but just had to stick up for the hometown.

Posted 3 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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Target actually has the best priced Lean Cuisines in town. And it so convenient when you are doing your household shopping too.

Posted 3 years ago #
ellenater
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Target gives me headaches and claustrophobia. I will do almost anything to not go to Target. I think it's the lighting.

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
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To the original topic.
Endless Trader Joe's rumors for the entire time we have run this site (almost three years now, just spouting our opinions during year 1, then turning to news). Almost every development site in town has been rumored as such. None has come to fruition yet, and there are some challenges, such as their quite meticulous space and parking requirements, and the fact there are two major new grocery stores coming to the Triangle area. I am overdue for a call to their media department though. I would be SHOCKED to see Burien close - it's always jampacked - we were just there an hour and a half ago (there are some things that just cannot be procured anywhere else, like REAL mayonnaise, not Best Foods/Kraft/bleh, which is required for Caesar salads, cole slaw, etc.) and there were plenty of people doing semi-late-night shopping. Burien also is undergoing a growth spurt -- Town Square among other things. Their market will continue to grow.

will advise if we get any news, though! - TR

Posted 3 years ago #
JanS
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OK...I haven't jumped in on this one...but...to the original question. I have never, ever been to the TJ's in Burien. I've been to Queen Anne...hate the parking. I have yet to try the Cap. Hill one, but that's probably where I would opt to go if I was driving somewhere to grocery shop outside of WS.

Posted 3 years ago #
Trick
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TR is right as always.
I recently looked at some commercial spaces in Burien, and it will be a market worth staying in for TJ's.
The development in Burien is pretty substantial.

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
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FYI, I just talked to TJ's customer/media relations.
They are very clear, of course, that nothing would be confirmed until anything is signed, sealed, agreed.
But as of this moment
-no plans to close Burien
-no planned Renton store
-no planned West Seattle store
-but certainly looking at "possible Washington (state) locations because we definitely want to expand there"

Doesn't mean something won't change tomorrow, but that's the OFFICIAL state-of-the-union from a TJ spokesperson. As always, we will be vigilant, someday I'm sure there WILL be a TJ's WS announcement and we'll have to do the equivalent of an oldschool newspaper "extra" edition - humongous type on the home page, print out one-sheets and scatter them around town, fly a plane with a banner overhead, etc. ... TR

Posted 3 years ago #
Diane
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oh TR,you totally crack me up; too funny!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
Diane
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I'm also visualizing a parade; Trader Joes always has incredibly awesome floats in the Rose Parade

Posted 3 years ago #
GenHillOne
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Ooh, Diane, maybe the announcement will coincide with Hi-Yu then!

Posted 3 years ago #
Ken
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I have visited TJ only about 3 times in 7 years. Overpriced crap for the most part. I buy stuff at wholesale sizes and prices and pack the freezer with portioned containers and beans and rice in 25 or 50 lbs bags. I even have a 25 lbs bag of salt. Of course I have the space and cooking skills to do this.

Nothing is available at TJ that fits this framework.

Posted 3 years ago #
andrea
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I will say that in comparison to PCC, Whole Foods, and Thriftway, Trader Joe's is by far a much better deal pricewise. What I can get there for $75 is astonishing...3-4 bags chock full! What I can get for $75 at PCC or Whole Foods is a small bags worth...and as for wholesale buys, I too like to shop and save in bulk if possible, but I'll be darned if I leave Costco without paying $200 a time! Granted, I will have toilet paper for a year and granola for two :)

Posted 3 years ago #