Is now the time for Trader Joe's?
For years, we have talked about Trader Joe's coming to town, but the excuse has always been that their closest store was in Atlanta, so it would be a problem servicing the Grove store. But now I see that a store is coming to Sarasota on Sept. 1, the end of this week, that's their grand opening day.
There is also a store in Naples one is planned for Gainesville. Now I think there is time for one or two in Miami and Coconut Grove would be perfect. There are plenty of locations in the village, from Village West to the 3444 Main Highway building, which will be turning into something else in a few years.
I have been to many Trader Joe's around the country. It's an excellent store with an excellent reputation and they are always full with people.
The advantage of Trader Joe's is that it's a destination, so it would bring people here.
There is also a store in Naples one is planned for Gainesville. Now I think there is time for one or two in Miami and Coconut Grove would be perfect. There are plenty of locations in the village, from Village West to the 3444 Main Highway building, which will be turning into something else in a few years.
I have been to many Trader Joe's around the country. It's an excellent store with an excellent reputation and they are always full with people.
The advantage of Trader Joe's is that it's a destination, so it would bring people here.
posted by Tom Falco at 11:11 AM
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15 Comments:
There's already one in Naples.
A few years ago I went online and fliile out a request for a store. I think you had the link up - back then we thought the space in Mayfair that is now Regus would be good for it., because it was walkable from all the nearby condos and townhomes.
Somehow though, I get the feeling that if Trader Joes does come to Miami it will end up in Brickell or Midtown. But perhaps the BOD should agressively pursue. Hey maybe it could go in the Glass House (just kidding, Harry!).
IKEA WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE GROVE
You are dreaming. The Grove does not have the density to support a Trader Joes.
So what are the BID, Grove Chamber, Sarnoff & Peter Gardner doing to invite Trader John's to the Grove?
the Grove does NOT need IKEA -- be for real!
Density? We're in the Middle of Miami, for crying out loud,...that MUCH than DOUBLE the density of Naples, Sarasota, and Gainesville combined!
A Coconut Grove Trader Joe's is an EXCELLENT idea.
but I fought grove wanted small businesses like those crappy mug place in coco walk or sad looking art galleries, or Divine Clothes in Coco walk, I thought you people were TOTALLY against big chain businesses like home depot, cheesecake factory that could actually save this city!!!!
what we need is something big and strong that wouldn't go out of business in 6 months, no more bong places, dirty piercing stores....
finally people realized that Houston's or any big chain places would be salvation.
Seeing that no mom and pops are opening a grocery store in the Grove, I think Trader Joe's would be a welcomed addition. We have an IGA and a Fresh Market -- those are chains and we certainly could use another grocery closer by...
I have a list of stores types that would be great additions but given I'm not a multi-millionaire, I cannot open them...
So I'll take my chances on big bad chain Trader Joe's.
There's actually a Trader Joes in Naples, which I believe is closer than Sarasota. My wife and I went there in March of this year and bought some 2 buck chuck.
Forget Naples and Sarasota, there's one planned for West Palm Beach
The BID should be aggressively pursuing this. Trader Joe's isn't like a regular grocery store, it has all sorts of healthy and high quality snacks and prepared foods at reasonable prices, and does tend to be a destination that will draw people from other areas, especially if ours is the first in the Miami area. It would draw from the entire region, and the demographic that lives near or passes through the Grove all the time (Grove, Gables, Pinecrest, etc.) is their target market. Why not space in the almost-empty Oak Avenue Parking Garage building with an agreement that Trader Joe's shoppers get some amount of parking free or cheap? Or the empty former Sephora space, under 24 Hour Fitness, or an empty space in the Mayfair, again with a parking deal? Their stores are not huge, so you don't need a big box level of square footage.
How about a pop up Trader Joe's at one of the named empty locations? They can gauge local interest that way without a long term commitment...
Michelle is right on. what's great about Whole Foods in South Miami is free garage parking.
LOVE LOVE TRADER JOES! Before moving to Miami, lived in Indianapolis and and we had one..Was totally shocked that Miami didn't...It is a wonderful store and would be a great addition to the Grove. Michelle your idea of parking and space would truly benefit the Grove, if only now the BID would pursue.
parking shoild be free in the intire grove area.that alone would bring back alot of people who wants to pay to park at a ghost town.trader joes would just be a start.then maybe an babies r us and an ikea like someone mentioned.think big guys this is 2012.that ugly looking yahgt club building should be turn down aswell and something cool put there that everyone can use.a cool park like oleta river with kayak rentals and a mountain bike trail.leave the trees alone thats a waist of money.FREE PARKING get the ball rolling
trader joes probably wants a 20-25,000 sq ft space the parking building on oak doesn't have that kind of space. that building has maybe 12-15000 sq ft if you were to displace the dentist and the salon.
for grocery you need close accessible parking. so unlikely for it to go in old guess store or under 24/7 fitness (combined maybe, but they are separate buildings/ownership) and parking is separate.
It would make perfect sense in the proposed grand ave redevelopment, it would bring long term jobs as well to village west.
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