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Love Hate Trader Joes – Part 1

by on Jun. 17, 2009, under Specialty Food Market

I have a love hate relationship with Trader Joe’s.

What’s not to love? I love the vast variety, the fast and courteous service, the free Fearless Flyer publication, the samples, the flowers especially those blooming daffodils for $1.29, three-buck Chuck, the 99-cent greeting cards, the opportunity to win a $25 gift card by using recyclable bags, the loud rock-n-roll music. Trader Joe’s has always been innovative.

But what I hate or maybe that’s too strong of a word, let’s say what I dislike is the vast variety.  Yes, I know I just said I love it but sometimes it gets to be overwhelming.

Have you noticed how many cereals there are? Just talking granola – consider with almonds, with three nut clusters, with maple flavoring, with dried fruit, plus the ten kinds of oatmeal and five kinds of shredded wheat. There are even two kinds of cereal with chocolate chunks. Life (not the cereal) used to be so simple – with one kind of oatmeal, cornflakes, and Cheerios.

Something else I don’t like is the downsizing of the packaging while the price remains the same. Take for instance, toilet paper which used to be ten rolls and is now eight rolls for the same price. And worse than the toilet paper are the paper towels which have shrunk to half their size per sheet so basically, less in size means more to use.

End of rant.

The Trader Joe’s on Campbell/Limberlost applied for a liquor license. While TJ’s in Calif., all sell liquor; this will be the first Tucson location to do so.

On another note, Trader Joe’s Summer Guide 2009 is out and it’s a mini compendium of food product facts.

A 15-ounce bag of sweet potato frites costs $2.29. Dr. Andrew Weil recently posted in his newsletter five veggies that we should be eating for optimum health. Sweet potatoes were listed as a rich source in vitamin C and beta carotene and being low glycemic. 

Please send your food markets and farmers markets news to eat.tucson@yahoo.com

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  • rcon

    The thing about Trader Joe’s that I don’t like is that they over-package a lot of their own foods.
    The frozen fish for example is wrapped inside a box, which has a wrapper on the outside. three pieces of pacakging is at least one too many.

    Also, if you look carefully many of TJ’s products are high in sodium.

    I no longer shop there unless I’m looking for daffodils.

  • Romeo

    I’m w/Ryn on this one, store aisles too small and rude people oblivious to anyone or anything around them. The cheap displays of public affection between persons of the same sex are pretty disgusting too, especially at the Speedwy/Wilmot local.

  • http://www.ryngargulinski.com Rynski

    Trader Joe’s is great for its lower prices on many items and I simply adore the massive cereal collection since I’m addicted to cereal.

    What turns me off about the place is the small, cramped aisles and shoppers who seem to have no regard for others around them.

  • azmouse

    I enjoy the specialty type stores, especially AJ’s, but they can be pricey.
    They’re great for a special dinner or for entertaining. You can create some cool and unique dishes.

  • Eugene

    Love Trader Joe’s also.

    Little things I cannot find elsewhere.

    Seafood stew. TJ’s mayonnaise.

    And if you like that sort of thing, their butter milk is the best.

    Haven’t tired their expensive regular milk for a while, I assume they still carry it.

    Lots of other things too much to mention or remember.

    Good reminder, need to get over to the one on speedway and Wilmot soon.

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