Entertaining TJ's "commercial"

Parking came up in another thread about Trader Joe's. Based on my experience with what must have been at least a dozen TJ's locations, TJ's looks for a location with a combination of low rent and favorable demographics. Parking is far, far down the priority list, to the point where TJ's parking is infamously bad.

Anyway, the subject reminded me of this TJ's "ad" whose link was sent to me some time back. I think most people who have visited TJ's will find much to regonize - and laugh at. TJ's "commercial"

[Jenise]

Hilarious. Hadn't realized that about TJ's parking lots but now that you mention it... YEAH. It's like they're built badly on purpose!

Parking is not a real hassle here in Redding - lots of land left- but I am glad it is not going to be a problem with our new store. There are more building sites to be developed in the complex, so when that all happens, it may be tight, especially at Christmas. Given the fact that TJ's opens at 9 am and other retails at 10 am, it won't be a problem for me. Plus they are open on Sunday.
The one we go to in Elk Grove has lots of parking as does Chico, but as with both of these stores, we arrive at 9 am if at all possible. In fact, my world revolves around morning, afternoons are for playing, resting, reading, doing a hobby, bike riding, etc. Needless to say, our mornings are jam packed. Residual schedule from when the kids were home....had to get everything done in the mornings....afternoons were devoted to their stuff. Retirement is grand.

Having been brought up in SO CA and watched TJs from the beginning when they had one store in Pasadena I've come to the conclusion that their philosophy is "build it and they will come." The shopping center where they built a few years ago has become known as an obstacle course for non committed shoppers.
The manager here has become a friend and can give a detailed history of the company which in itself is fascinating, he went to work for them at their original store when he was going to Pasaena jr college and is their employee with the longest tenure. They have pretty much been able to follow the format laid out by the founder even though they have become very large.
They built first and 100 yards away Whole Foods a couple of years ago opened their store. Sign of the times, TJs is still busy Whole Foods not so much.

Having been brought up in SO CA and watched TJs from the beginning when they had one store in Pasadena I've come to the conclusion that their philosophy is "build it and they will come." The shopping center where they built a few years ago has become known as an obstacle course for non committed shoppers.
The manager here has become a friend and can give a detailed history of the company which in itself is fascinating, he went to work for them at their original store when he was going to Pasaena jr college and is their employee with the longest tenure. They have pretty much been able to follow the format laid out by the founder even though they have become very large.
They built first and 100 yards away Whole Foods a couple of years ago opened their store. Sign of the times, TJs is still busy Whole Foods not so much.

Lou, What is it about Whole Foods and stores of that ilk, that they just do not get it? I mean, if my upscale market dollar is liminted, I am limited. I don't have either a TJ's or a WF, and still I don't shop either.

Hadn't realized that about TJ's parking lots but now that you mention it...

It does seem like their most recent store openings are different and the stores are bigger inside as well. The one in Bellingham actually isn't too bad, it sounds like the Redding one is OK, the one in Folsom, CA shares a big lot with a Lowe's store. But that's a break from TJ's "tradition", which combines a grossly inadequate number of spaces with some other interesting impediment, like a left turn across three lanes of traffic being required to enter the (inadequate) lot. It's almost like TJ's wouldn't be TJ's if it were easy to park. These new stores just aren't right

On the videos subject of things that "aren't there any more", I'm really sad about the canned whole tomatoes. At about a buck for a 28 ounce can, TJ's canned whole tomatoes with basil were high quality and great value. They recently changed label and apparently supplier and at the same time upped the price to a buck and a half. That would still be a great price if quality was the same. The new tomatoes are hard, fibrous lumps that resist all efforts to break them up. A real shame.

That commercial is a wonderful love letter to Trader Joe's. Funny how the same folks who bring you Aldi have managed to maintain reasonably high quality and quirkiness. Now if we could just get some good wine deals like right after the .com bust!

Walt