See...all it took was building a house in North Carolina to bring Trader Joe's to Orlando.

I drive over 3 hours to go to TJs.

I heard from a relative of a TJs employee that after they have finished building in TX they will consider OK. I do other fun things in Dallas and won't stop visiting but would sure like to go to TJs more than 2-3 times per year.

 
Lol Marilyn. Same thing happened to me. TJ's opened in Sarasota right after I left. They

opened one here, but it's much more difficult to get to than the Sarasota store would have been for me. Are you moving to to NC permanently or is it a vacation home? After re-reading your post, I assume it's a permanent move.

 
Very fun! Please stop by all the italian bakeries and whole foods and shout "Charlie,are you here!"

He misses his new york / new jersey heritage / friends / family. The shouting will make him feel back north. If he answers with y'all, I might have to send someone down to have a "word" with him!
Congrats on the second home. I'm excited for you both!

 
I cannot get over the comment "cult like following" that is often used when describing the people

who frequent TJ's. What is up with that? Trader Joe's opened up here over 2 years ago and yes, they are very busy...but "cult like following?" I hardly think so! We have a beautiful store, larger than some, in a great location. I see everybody from the rich, to young marrieds, to seniors shopping there. Most of my friends go there for specific products. I got there for wine deals, great cheese, some tomato products, and my body wash. Oh, and some great cuts of lamb such as their seasoned rack and a boneless leg that is marinated in burgundy wine. I usually end up with a few items to try. Frankly, I do not care much for their frozen meals (have not found one I love...YET) Their products come and go...I can never rely on them having what I am going there for. I never buy any of the prepared, fresh foods, I do like some of the breads, and their tortilla shells are great. If they left, I would miss them. But a cult following I am not...nor is anyone I know.
I appreciate the fact that their staff is well-trained, happy and always willing to assist. They will even do carry out and often do for me, when I buy a case off wine.

 
obviously you have not been granted the secret hand signal

which entitles you to an extra 10% off and access to the hidden room full of the great products that everyone else thinks no longer exist.

 
Gotta say, there's one 5 mins away & I barely go there anymore.

I do get my butter there, sometimes bread, but only if I'm not going someplace else.

The other day I got more than in a long time: some veggies, hummus, pomegranate juice, dates, and some frozen organic fruit. Oh and I found coconut oil spray to try. I also usually get my cheese there, sometimes eggs, but that's about it.

If only I knew they secret password - then maybe I'd go more often!

 
after the initial thrill of having a TJ's 2 miles away I rarely go there. Sometimes I do and pick up

a small orchid for my coffee table, whole wheat English muffins and better priced Egg Beaters. That's about it. Kroger, Costco and TJ's are all within 1/8 of a mile of each other making shopping pretty easy.

 
Ever since I found out amazon.com sells their dark chocolate...

... the great Pound Plus for 11 bucks each, I honestly don't miss TJ that much.

Everyone raves about their frozen products, but we simply never bought them when we lived in LA, within driving distance of 3 Trader Joe's. Actually, I think we bought something to try once, one of their Indian concoctions. It was ok, but nothing I could not leave without.

they do have great deals on cheese, but we don't buy that much cheese, unless we have a dinner party or something.The only other product Phil really loves is some of their granola and cereal, and guess what? Amazon sells them too! A little more expensive, but at least it's available if you don't have a TJ nearby. But now he's found granola made here that he loves too. smileys/smile.gif

we have a TJ two hours drive from Manhattan, but we went there once and I don't think it justified the time and drive there, especially because you can never be sure something you want will be available on that particular day.

 
I like TJ's. We don't have a great variety of grocery stores (one) and even though it's an hour away

I get there about once a month. The cheese is about half of what I pay here and it's much better quality. Chips, crackers, hummus all make my list.

 
The only frozen items I have liked are the plain croisants and at one time

they had frozen chili fries. They were awesome. I cannot find them anymore but they have garlic fries. The garlic is much too strong, actually awful. I've tried several frozen items and end up tossing it out.

 
I don't buy prepared food there but there are a couple things I really like.

They have (at least have had so far!) an orange champagne vinegar that is delicious, especially splashed into cooked greens right before service, It also makes a wonderful vinaigrette. Thank you Sally for giving me my first bottle of this yummy product. I have been happy with their olive oil as my everyday oil. I will buy cheese, cured meats and wine if they have something I like. The nuts and dried fruit seem reasonably priced and I have enjoyed those that I have purchased. I don't drive to Dallas just to go to TJs, but it is always on the list along with AceMart kitchen supply, Jimmy's Italian Market, Central Market, Goody Goody Liquor, and a good restaurant or two. Next trip (next week!) I might check out the farmer's market as I have never been there.

 
So, Traca, what did you find horrifically bad? I've never found anything worthy of horror smileys/smile.gif

I can walk to mine and do as much of my shopping as humanly possible there - it saves a ton of $$$.

 
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