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Trader Joe's in Olympia?

By Sandy Nelson

Managing Real Estate Broker with Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc.

June 14, 2008 11:21 AM

then cast your vote to help bring a Trader Joe's store to Olympia.

Trader Joe's different from most common supermarkets, in that you won't find a lot of branded products. Instead, Trader Joe's carries many interesting and unconventional products at great prices. Shopping at Trader Joe's is always an adventure, as you'll discover new products from all over the world. I love their smooth authentic Greek yogurt with honey, Kerry Irish butter, French chocolate torte and their great selection of international wines at bargain prices.
The buyers for Trader Joe's taste every product before they decide to stock it and bring it to the local shoppers.

The shopping experience at Trader Joe's is as unusual as their inventory. The stores are much smaller than regular supermarkets, the interior is decorated with an exotic nautical flair, the staff wear colorful Hawaiian shirts and instead of a PA system, you'll hear a ship bell ringing.

The company is privately owned by the Aldi family of Germany. I've been driving to the nearest Trader Joe's at University Place since it opened. Before that I drove all the way to Federal Way. All this driving might soon come to an end, since Trader Joe's is considering opening a store in Olympia. I've been pestering them for years to move to our neck of the woods and like to think that had something to do with it. However, another option on the table is to open a store in Gig Harbor instead.

So here's your opportunity to weigh in on the matter: Vote for Olympia here:

http://www.traderjoes.com/location_requests_form.aspx

I believe a Trader Joe's store will be a great asset to the Olympia / Lacey community. I personally can't wait to have one here.

Sandy Nelson
Realtor for Olympia area real estate
www.sandynelsonrealestate.com

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Anonymous

Hi, Interesting article. I didn't vote because I live in NJ and feel it would be wrong for me to try to influence a local issue.

Veronica

Jun 14, 2008 11:34 AM

Mara Hawks

First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL

Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

I love Trader Joe's, but none in my state! Whenever I travel to CA, I brink tons back from TJ's!

Jun 14, 2008 11:37 AM

Lynda Eisenmann

Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA

Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Sandy,

I LOVE Trader Joe's myself. I have one about 15 minutes away, it's a great place. Good prices on everything, better than most markets at least in SoCal. BTW, you're right about the bargain wines!

Jun 14, 2008 11:40 AM

Sandy Nelson

Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA

your Olympia area Realtor

Veronica, Mara, Lynda,

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll keep everyone posted if the Trader eventually comes to Olympia.

Sandy

Jun 14, 2008 12:02 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Hopefully you'll get a Trader Joe's in Olympia Sandy. Our Whole Foods Market in Dallas that is a specialty grocery has had a big drop in sales with their higher prices since gas prices went way up. I wonder how or if that will affect Trader Joe's being a specialty store too?

Jun 14, 2008 12:17 PM

Roberta Anderson

Hearth & Home Staging - Silverdale, WA

Hearth & Home Staging, Staging Kitsap County

Sandy, I voted for TJ's to come to Poulsbo, Silverdale, and Bainbridge Island! The last time I was at the Lynnwood location they had a White Zin 3 Buck Chuck. Yeah!!

Jun 14, 2008 12:23 PM

Sandy Nelson

Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA

your Olympia area Realtor

Gary, Thanks for your good wishes. I hope we'll get our store.

Roberta, White Zinfandel is my favorite wine, too.

Jun 14, 2008 05:16 PM

Sarah Nopp

South Sound, WA

Too funny! I do this about every 3 or 4 months. I have been bugging them to bring one here for about 3 years now. I get tired of driving 45 minutes.

Jun 17, 2008 03:28 PM

Sandy Nelson

Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA

your Olympia area Realtor

Sarah,

I hope all the petitions will bear fruit and we'll finally get a Trader Joe's in Olympia.

Sandy

Jun 30, 2008 04:07 AM

Abe Do

Olympia, WA

Sandy,

I have spoken with Trader Joes on numerous occasions and often talk with their retail reps.....you won't see one until at least 2011. They are unwilling to consider this market until 2009 and do believe that it would take two years to open after that.

With all that being said I have two sites that I've submitted to them that they are now considering. If you want to be proactive regarding trader joes you should also contact their exclusive broker in Seattle who works for Real Retail. She could help us immensely in getting this done.

Ryan Haddock

Jul 03, 2008 04:35 AM

Sandy Nelson

Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA

your Olympia area Realtor

Ryan,

Trader Joes has always been very conservative with their expansions. From what I hear they are also very conservative with the rent they are willing to pay for their retail space. I thought Dupont would be the perfect place for a Trader Joes, since it's right off I-5 and located between Olympia and Lacey. The town of Dupont needs a grocery store, but can't sustain a large chain supermarket. Unfortunately the rent prices in Dupont likely exceed what Trader Joes is willing to pay.

Jul 03, 2008 04:14 PM

Anonymous

Simone Martel, Lacey WA. 98503

I would love to have a TJ's here in the area ! It's a great store, always surprises me with a good variety of goods and different assortment of European products.

Especially the Diary section with all sorts of cheese and yogurts and lets not forget, Quark !

you have my vote ! - I am all for it !

tired to drive to University Place -

lg Simone Martel

Jul 11, 2008 12:52 PM

#12

Sandy Nelson

Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA

your Olympia area Realtor

Simone, If I have to go to Tacoma or past Federal Way for any reason, I always make time to swing by a Trader Joe's.

Sandy

Jul 13, 2008 09:12 AM

Sarah Nopp

South Sound, WA

Hey Sandy- are you reading http://www.everydayolympia.com/? It is hosted by the owner of Ein Mal Ein in downtown. Mostly I keep up on it via twitter, but there is an interesting debate over there about the Trader Joes that is coming soon.

Jun 05, 2009 05:37 PM

Sandy Nelson

Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA

your Olympia area Realtor

Sarah,

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to mosey on over there to join the debate.

Jun 06, 2009 04:25 AM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Did you get the Trader Joe's? I've never been in one.. sounds interesting.

Nov 08, 2009 12:11 PM

Sandy Nelson

Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA

your Olympia area Realtor

Judi,

Yes we did get a Trader Joe's this summer. The store draws shoppers from all over and the parking lo is always full. I hope you'll get a chance to shop in a Trader Joe's sometime.

Nov 10, 2009 05:14 PM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

I will look for one as we travel out of our area.. I'm glad that you got one. Our town could use some standards shopping like a Lowe's even.... LOL

Nov 13, 2009 09:35 PM