Would anyone like to see Trader Joe's come to Boise/Eagle? (crime, coop)

[abn]

I'm just curious if there are any other people out there that would shop at Trader Joe's if it came to Boise/Eagle. If you are not familiar with it, it is a grocery store that offers everything but in a form that is good for you at very reasonable prices. Most of their foods do not contain hydrongenated oil and they do not carry any geneticaly modified products. They have organic products but regular products too and their prices are really reasonable. Really friendly and take time to get to know you. Give kids balloon each time, etc...Please share if you have any interest.

[Torrie]

You bet I would. I miss shopping at Trader Joe's. I had caught wind that they might be coming to area, but haven't heard anything for a long time. I suspect if we get one another one will pop up somewhere near as it has to be worth their while to transport goods this far. I think there are enough people who live here that are familiar with the company that would support the store if it decided to make Boise it's next new location. What do you know, any news?

[AlleyTD]

OMG! Talk about timing. I was just discussing this very topic with a good friend yesterday.

I WISH it was a franchise because I'd give my life savings to open a TJ's here. I worked at the first Trader Joe's in CA. It was called Pronto Market and it was on Avenue 64 in Los Angeles. The main offices were in South Pasedena. I have watched the company grow and LOVE their stuff. I was in PHX last weekend, when I realized/learned that there was NO Trader Joe's in Boise. I was seriously bummed. It was my first major bummer about this city ... No wait a minute ... make it the second bummer ... It was also bummed when I learned there also wasn't an IN-n-OUT Burger either.

On the brightside, I have found some local food vendors with some excellent local products that we have enjoyed in the last few weeks.
But, if anyone can find a way to make Trader Joes open here I would be first in line.

[Stevedawg]

Seriously how hard is too find organic food in idaho. You're surrounded by farms. It seems like if it doesn't come with a brand name and in fancy grocery people don't want it.

[Anchorless]

Quite frankly I'm sick of every [MOD CUT] chain in the country coming here.

Do we really need a Spaghetti Factory and a Cheesecake Factory and a Whole Foods and a Trader Joes and another dozen Wal-Marts?

Sometimes I drive around West Boise and forget that I'm still in Idaho - I could be any other place in the [MOD CUT] country.

Shop at the Coop if you want organic food.

Originally Posted by Stevedawg

Seriously how hard is too find organic food in idaho. You're surrounded by farms. It seems like if it doesn't come with a brand name and in fancy grocery people don't want it.

Yeah, pretty much. People leave other cities only to beg and clamor for the same they left to follow them.

People really disgust me.

[AlleyTD]

Originally Posted by Anchorless

Quite frankly I'm sick of every chain in the country coming here.

Do we really need a Spaghetti Factory and a Cheesecake Factory and a Whole Foods and a Trader Joes and another dozen Wal-Marts?

Shop at the Coop if you want organic food.

People really disgust me.

Jeez o petes, people - lighten up.
I'd hardly compare TJ's to Walmart!

I'm certainly not trying to offend anyone or CHANGE Boise.
TJ's just has some unique food - not neccessarily organic ... and when you like a certain food, its not a crime to desire it.

Telling us we disgust you is very harsh. and disappointing.

For the record, I don't want every darn chain store either ... but if you knew anything about TJ's or In n out you would know they are not a typical chain ... they do not franchise ...

Gosh, I just showed some excitement over a great store and good food ... and it feels like I got my head bit off. not cool.

(You) people really disgust me - is a very harsh comment.

[abn]

To the two people that responded a little bit negatively...

The thing about Trader Joe's that is different than organic farms and natural food stores is that it carries tons of the packaged goods like cookies, crackers, frozen waffles, chips, cereal, juice etc...that are decent for you w/o hydrogenated oil and high frucose corn syrup. Those are the items that are hard to find at a regular grocery store plus Trader Joe's has great prices on this stuff. It is a really great store for families w kids cause you tend to go through a lot of snacky/packaged foods and their stuff is decent for kids (as long as they eat real food too) instead of filled with the cheapest crap food companies can make.

For Anchorless, it's not that I want tons of chains (I actually hate all chain restaurants) but all the ones you mentioned are the bottom of the barrell so if you're going to have them (chains) how about getting some smaller ones that have a good product and actually portray a sense of community. They really do have the attitude of an old "neighborhood grocery store" and they aren't all big like Wal-mart, Costco, etc...I think I will like the Coop but they could probably stand a little competition.

[AlleyTD]

Originally Posted by abn

To the two people that responded a little bit negatively...

The thing about Trader Joe's that is different than organic farms and natural food stores is that it carries tons of the packaged goods like cookies, crackers, frozen waffles, chips, cereal, juice etc...that are decent for you w/o hydrogenated oil and high frucose corn syrup. Those are the items that are hard to find at a regular grocery store plus Trader Joe's has great prices on this stuff. It is a really great store for families w kids cause you tend to go through a lot of snacky/packaged foods and their stuff is decent for kids (as long as they eat real food too) instead of filled with the cheapest crap food companies can make.

For Anchorless, it's not that I want tons of chains (I actually hate all chain restaurants) but all the ones you mentioned are the bottom of the barrell so if you're going to have them (chains) how about getting some smaller ones that have a good product and actually portray a sense of community. They really do have the attitude of an old "neighborhood grocery store" and they aren't all big like Wal-mart, Costco, etc...I think I will like the Coop but they could probably stand a little competition.

Brilliant, on all points. ditto

[micrguy]

I hate the smell of old hippies and avoid the Boise Coop as much as possible, but I would love to have a Trader Joe's here. I used to live less than a mile away from one in Phoenix and it was nice to have healthy food that was actually affordable.

[Anchorless]

It isn't so much that I oppose a TJ's coming here (I actually like that store), but it's that I oppose any more big box chains coming here.

Boise needs more independent, mom and pop stores, not more chains. People need to start supporting local business owners, not chains and franchises, no matter what they are.

Also, I did not say "You people disgust me" - I said "people disgust me." Entirely different meaning and audience. I wasn't directing this toward you, or anyone in particular, but people in general. They never seem to be able to step back and see the forest from the trees. I think this is an important issue (though like growth issues, more than likely it's an impossible struggle). Let's keep Boise unique, huh?