Trader Joe's to Open Sarasota Store
Natural foods grocery store Trader Joe's will open a store in Sarasota in the third quarter of 2012.
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Update: The Sarasota Herald-Tribune is reporting that Trader Joe's announced they signed a lease for the former Rooms To Go furniture store at 4101 S. Tamiami Trail.
Earlier: Trader Joe's fans in Sarasota may get their wish for a store to open here.
A spokeswoman for Trader Joe's told Patch today that the company is looking to open a store in Sarasota sometime in the third quarter of this year.
A location and opening date have not been determined, she said.
The Monrovia, California-based company is known for selling natural, organic and fair trade foods, soaps, and other grocery as well as health and beauty products without brand names. Employees wear Hawaiian shirts to lighten the mood.
Sarasota would be Trader Joe's second store in Florida. The first Trader Joe's in Florida just opened Friday in North Naples.
Another spokeswoman for the company could not confirm additional Trader Joe's stores in Florida. The Sarasota store is considered unconfirmed for now, she said, as there is nothing in writing yet.
Mart Solu
1:34 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The old Publix location on Ringling would be ideal - and breathe a whole lot of life into that plaza.
Lorraine Colby
8:36 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
That would be a great location. Another one would be the old Farm and Garden property on Fruitville Rd near downtown.
Lori Johnson
2:36 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It would be great if Trader Joe's would open somewhere on University, which is convenient to both Sarasota and Bradenton residents. I live in far west Bradenton and I'd be more than willing to drive to University. Love Trader Joe's--can't wait until it opens.
DIane Muldoon
3:05 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I am Publix #1 fan, but I also love Trader Joes. It would be a great addition to Sarasota!
Yayyyy Trader Joe's Sarasota
HealthyMe
3:38 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It would be great in Palmer Ranch. There is already a health food grocery store in North Sarasota, Whole Foods, but nothing for South Sarasota, Casey Key, and Venice!!
Robert Horton
6:25 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I'm from LA and Joes is a lot more than described. Their store brands have unbelievable pricing. Like $2.99 for wine. They will more than give Publix a run for their money
Lori Hultman
6:58 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Trader Joes is the BEST!! Especially for healthy foods-much much cheaper than Whole Foods or Publix. The selection of dried fruits and nuts and cheeses and organic products. It is a little bit of heaven.
Jenny
7:50 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I can't wait! I vote for them to be at Cooper Creek where they have the Halloween store each year. University is the best location for that type of store.
They are going to look at demographic studies and I would be shocked if it doesn't end up in University area.
Cindy
11:35 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The former Sweet Bay at University and Lockwood Ridge would be nice. Nice location, close to Lakewood Ranch and not far from the airport.
Caroline Krause
9:32 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Please Oh Please Oh Please somewhere near I-75 and Lakewood Ranch!!!!!
Charles Schelle
10:02 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The mystery is over folks. They're going to 4101 S. Tamiami Trail in the old Rooms to Go store. The Herald-Tribune got the location from Trader Joe's. We were told to call back later in the year but didn't think it would be later in the day they'd have something in writing.
Robyn K.
10:47 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Finally, I've been waiting for this for years. I shop in Trader Joes during my frequent trips to Atlanta and bring back a suitcase full of goodies every trip!! Goodbye Publix - Hello Trader Joes - Welcome to sunny SRQ. If Charles is correct about the location even better for me.
Jessi Smith
11:15 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
This is so exciting! Now, if we could only get Wegmans in Florida, I would be in grocery heaven.
Charles Schelle
11:17 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Don't get me started about Wegman's love! They were my closest grocery store to me while I interned in Erie, Pa. Maryland just started getting more last year and this past year. I don't foresee Wegman's making a huge jump to Florida from Maryland and Northern Virginia. But it doesn't mean I wouldn't want one here.
Jessi Smith
12:19 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
We can dream, Charles... We can dream. I fell in love with Wegmans when I spent a month in upstate New York in 2010. Don't get me wrong, I certainly do love Publix subs - but nothing compares to a sub from Wegmans.
linda vernon
3:38 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
how exciting!!! and the location is PERFECT!!! very central and EASY to see!!!
mary mau
7:53 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I love the location, but what about parking.
Robert Horton
10:25 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Having lived in SOCAL and I went to Syracuse U so very familiar with Wegmans. Both stores have great selections and specialiy depts tho Wegmans is somewhat larger their prices were much higher than Trader Joes.
GIN CARRO
1:36 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
GIN CARRO ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT AND I HAVE BEEN WISHING AND HOPING AND TRADER JOES IS COMING YIPEE!
Andy Warrener
3:06 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I love Trader Joe's! I lived in LA for 8 years and that is the thing I miss the most! Too bad I live in North Hillsborough County. Bring one up here, I promise you will have at least one regular customer!
Addison
8:50 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
So excited that we may have a Trader Joe's near us!! My vote is for University area, too. Very convenient to BOTH Sarasota and Bradenton.
Heather
8:00 pm on Sunday, February 19, 2012
Yea!!!!! Finally a bit of home here!!!! The sooner the better!!!!
Noemi Santana
5:35 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
This is great news. I live in Apollo Beach and I would travel to Sarasota to Trader Joe's and that's a hike. I fell in love with that store on a visit to Fanwood,New Jersey. Now my dream is that they put one closer to Apollo Beach. My fingers are crossed.
Georgina
12:52 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Venice would be a great location. Former K-Mart on 41 bypass is empty. Love Trader Joe's visit them when I am in Nashville or Raleigh.
Mary
6:13 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Mary
I am cooking dinner with T. Joe's green curry simmer sauce tonight. Used to drive an hour to shop there in Indianapolis IN. Yea, my favorite crackers will be so near no matter what the location but I am partial to a University Parkway location.
caroltheredhat
9:47 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2012
Trader Joe's in Ann Arbor, Mich was our 1st intro to the store---Our daughter lives in Jackson, Mich and drives to TJ 's. We have just moved to a condo here in Bradenton after living for 15 years in THE VILLAGES, FLA. they have nothing to compare for shopping . $2 Buck Chuck wine is what drew our attention brought back 2 cases to share with our friends!! Caroltheredhat
Sharon Kahnoski
3:10 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
we are eager to shop at a Trader Joe's in florida close to us. just love their selections
Charles Schelle
4:33 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Update: http://patch.com/A-vyr6
Hapy
5:10 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
If only trader Joe's could open a store in Lakeland, or even in Tampa. I have to travel all the way to Naples to get my groceries. I could get more groceries for the money I spend on gas to go to Naples.
Charles Schelle
9:35 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Here's another update on the grand opening of the Sarasota Trader Joe's: http://patch.com/A-x3LM