West Seattle Trader Joe’s: The sign is up

(WSB photo by Katie Meyer)
If you remained skeptical even after our story last week about the official permit paperwork progressing for the future West Seattle Trader Joe’s – here’s new proof it’s advancing. Property owner Steve Huling called WSB tonight to let us (and you!) know that the official city sign has gone up to tell all interested parties that the site is under environmental review for a land-use permit (as you can see here), and we just procured our own photographic proof. As noted in our earlier coverage, and in the permit applications, they are not demolishing any buildings, so this isn’t expected to be a long construction process; most recent estimated opening date was sometime in the spring. (P.S. As discussed in comments on our previous story, the “environmentally critical area” on the site involves a steep slope. The sign posting opens a comment period for this review of the project; here’s official city info on how to comment.)

Traveler December 21, 2010 (9:50 pm)

Maybe this isn’t too good to be true!

Ken December 21, 2010 (11:42 pm)

I changed my mind, I don’t want a Trader Joe’s anymore. When are we gonna get a Whole Foods in West Seattle?

coffee December 22, 2010 (12:06 am)

Does Steve still own the property and is leasing it to TJs?

JanS December 22, 2010 (1:05 am)

keep your comments private…let’s get this rolling :)

Tammy L. December 22, 2010 (4:36 am)

Whoop Whoop! Can’t wait! Would take Trader Joes over Whole Foods any day!

clifton December 22, 2010 (6:25 am)

Yikes … it’s finally happening!!!! What a long time coming …

SeaChanty51 December 22, 2010 (6:40 am)

Proof that there is a Santa Claus!!!

austin December 22, 2010 (8:39 am)

I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation of the abandoned car dealership into a center of commercial activity, between that building and the hole across the street that corner is pretty sorry as is.

SeaMonkey December 22, 2010 (8:46 am)

Whooo Hool! This is great! I’d rather have a Trader Joe’s than a Whole Paycheck, oops, Whole Foods.

lucky chick December 22, 2010 (8:48 am)

I’m surprised there’s this much support for TJ’s here. Lots of stuff imported from far away. Personally, I like it (and do my part by not driving myself), but I have to admit that supporting a store that buys fruit from Chile in January and over-packages just about everything gives me a twinge of guilt from time to time.
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Hopefully someone can tell me that I’m wrong about all the imported stuff, but that’s what I see there.

on board December 22, 2010 (9:18 am)

Its not only their selection of unique goods, but it is the prices of them that wins me over.

Jars of nice green stuffed olives – $2 and they travel the same distance as the ones at PCC
Pine nuts – very affordable instead of very costly (ok these probably come from Asia)
Cheeses – all of which are very affordable, and all of which have traveled the exact same distances as the Gouda you would buy at Safeway (Why should good cheese cost so much more?)
Wine – great prices and it all travels the same as from PCC, QFC, etc
Kashi Crackers – about $2 instead of about $4 at Metro Market or PCC
…and many others

Furthermore, they do it without coupons, reward cards, or invasive memberships, or yo-yo pricing.

I will give you that the produce doesn’t really grab me there, and much of the frozen meat products may be sourced on Venus, but there are numerous other products that have made it worth the occasional big stockpiling trip to the store in Burien, or other ones when I find myself in the neighborhood.

dr December 22, 2010 (9:52 am)

I can’t stand hearing those that OBSESS over Trader Joe’s. “Oh My GAWD! TRADER JOES!” “I wish there were a Trader Joes nearby!” “Oh, and who doesn’t like a Trader Joes?!”

It’s a massive chain that owns nearly 400 stores nationwide now. And yes, they shrink-wrap their produce to styrofoam plates. Why? I’m not sure.

I don’t frown on TJs for any of their practices, it’s no different than any other chain grocery store in the US. They all make a huge impact to bring us convenience. What I don’t like is all these people that think TJ’s is a “mom & pop shop.” They should educate themselves on the business – and not just from the Trader Joes website.

On the other hand it is nice to have somewhere I can find some Israeli cous-cous :)

stokkkkkkeeeeed December 22, 2010 (10:40 am)

Woohoo. I LOVE Trader’s and this is going to be spittin’ distance. Can’t believe we’re finally getting one. Sigh. Proof of Santa!

Petert December 22, 2010 (10:52 am)

Someone needs to start thinking about building an overpass over the Faunt/Alaska junction to allow traffic to pass the congestion that’s invariably going to result…. ;)

Monica Cavagnaro December 22, 2010 (3:26 pm)

This will save us much gas as we usually go to Burien TJ’s!!! YES! West Seattle ROCKS!

Kate K December 23, 2010 (4:34 pm)

Who needs a Whole Foods when we have PCC?

Garden_nymph December 24, 2010 (6:30 pm)

Oh Happy Day! Open, open, open…

Donna December 27, 2010 (12:09 am)

Just an FYI, TJ’s produce comes from the same local quality supplier as Metro and PCC!! It’s the best!!

kate December 27, 2010 (7:43 pm)

I think it’s just a matter of time before TJs gets with the program and reduces their packaging. I mean, c’mon- it’s 2010 already! According to their website they will be carrying seafood that has been obtained via sustainable fishing practices by 2012. I occasionally send a customer feedback form complaining about the styrofoam and plastic and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I encourage others to do the same.

Sorry, comment time is over.