Well played, Mr. Mayor.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, gets Little Rockansans as riled up more than the subject of Trader Joe’s.
Not even cheese dip. Well, maybe cheese dip.
So yesterday’s news that Mayor Stodola is seeking a meeting to discuss Trader Joe’s possibly coming to Little Rock got a lot of folks in these parts quite giddy. Listen, I get it. Trader Joe’s is a very cool store. It’s filled with a bunch of reasonably-priced, fun, tasty items that you just don’t see in other grocers.
But is it such an amazing place as to warrant extreme excitement? I maintain that it is not.
And I can only base my opinion from the past experience of living a few blocks from a Trader Joe’s six years ago in Boston. Yes, it had some awesome items, like the Maple Leaf Cookies or the Dark Chocolate Mini Peanut Butter Cups or the assortment of dehydrated veggies or a second-to-none frozen food section or inexpensive wine, but, truth be told, I always viewed it as a specialty store.
I mean … how often does a grown man need to be eating a box of delectable chocolate peanut butter cups? Maybe once a quarter? Less?
My point is this … yes, getting a Trader Joe’s in Little Rock would be great, but in my opinion, it wouldn’t be earth-shattering. It would be a wonderful addition to our food scene, and although I’m pessimistic we’ll ever get one, I’m certainly hopeful we eventually do.
What are your thoughts?
3 Comments
I think TJ’s is well worth it. When I lived in Old Town Alexandria VA, I could walk to TJ’s and lug two bags back home. I still shop whenever I have a chance. Tomorrow I’ll be shopping at TJ’s in Portland ME and buying what I think I can pack in my luggage and still stay under the 50 pound weight limit. What do I buy? Wild rice, special olives, natural peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit, their Indian line of prepared foods ($1.99 and delish), smoked trout, smoked oysters, multigrain crackers, canned tuna (so much better than that found in the grocery store), jams- especially the cherry jam, Belgian chocolate for baking, and great organic selections of certain items. Happy TJ shopping for me tomorrow.
YES, it is worth it. I have been shopping at TJ’s for at least 25 years IN OTHER STATES! I love the products and ambiance of its stores, not the overpriced pretentiousness of Whole Foods nor even the classical music of Fresh Market. It is a pleasure to shop in their stores and use their products. We need them!
YES I love Trqder Joes. Since moving here from California I have missed the unusual food items they sell. Hope we can get one here!
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