[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by matchpoint

^ I'm not sure about that. You're saying that Fresno, CA has *better* demographics than Tampa or Miami? TJ's is all over Massachusetts too. Several parts of Mass are similar to Tampa. Hell, there are several Mass residents down in FL....shouldn't that count for something! If TJs is in Atlanta, I have no idea why they aren't in Florida....

I said not many cities. Anywhere you find a Whole Foods in FL you can assume a Trader Joe's would survive I guess.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

I said not many cities. Anywhere you find a Whole Foods in FL you can assume a Trader Joe's would survive I guess.

Gator - I have read the reason Florida has no Trader Joes' is that there is no distribution center nearby. There are only a few in the south at all, the closest is in Atlanta. Here in Sarasota we have Whole Foods, Fresh markiet and everything BUT Trader Joe's. So they won't be coming anytime soon. They are a California based company, which is why they are all over that state.

[Sunnydee]

I love Publix!

You can't beat their bakery and their employees are so friendly.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

I said not many cities. Anywhere you find a Whole Foods in FL you can assume a Trader Joe's would survive I guess.

There are five Whole Foods stores within 25 miles of me...that's a higher concentration than most areas. Why no Trader Joes?

Isn't TJ's associated with Aldi? I know that Aldi opened a few locations in Florida.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

There are five Whole Foods stores within 25 miles of me...that's a higher concentration than most areas. Why no Trader Joes?

Isn't TJ's associated with Aldi? I know that Aldi opened a few locations in Florida.

I think you guys will eventually get them, compelled. We only have 5 or so here so far, but they have been received so well they plan on rapid expansion in the next few years. There is talk of a large distribution center here - that would probably ensure expansion into Florida.

And you are correct, they were purchased by Aldi within the last couple of years.

The next big thing to watch for is Fresh & Easy from England. I went into one in L.A. recently and fell in love with the place. Think Trader Joe's married to an affordable Whole Foods!

[EnjoyTheSilence]

Originally Posted by johnatl

I think you guys will eventually get them, compelled. We only have 5 or so here so far, but they have been received so well they plan on rapid expansion in the next few years. There is talk of a large distribution center here - that would probably ensure expansion into Florida.

And you are correct, they were purchased by Aldi within the last couple of years.

The next big thing to watch for is Fresh & Easy from England. I went into one in L.A. recently and fell in love with the place. Think Trader Joe's married to an affordable Whole Foods!

Fresh & Easy are owned by Tesco in the UK. Tesco are one of the 5 largest retail giants in the world. Last time I was in the UK, I went to an amazing Tesco that was twice the size of any Publix I've been to. If Tesco were to seriously expand in the US (which I doubt at the moment), they'd probably blow Publix out of the water in terms of quality, price and selection.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

There are five Whole Foods stores within 25 miles of me...that's a higher concentration than most areas. Why no Trader Joes?

Isn't TJ's associated with Aldi? I know that Aldi opened a few locations in Florida.

Overall FL has very few Whole Foods compared to many other states.

Here is a good article even though it's a bit old.

http://www.tampachamber.com/ci_viewnews.asp?id=987

[gypsychic]

Found this article online about the possibility of Trader Joe's coming to Florida - maybe there is some truth to it?

Trader Joe’s Coming to FL? « Commercial Grove

[Journey2LS]

There is aTJ's here in Portland that I shop at but if there were a Publix out here I would drop TJ's in a heartbeat.

[DaniellaG]

I was not thrilled with Fresh Market. It seemed very small. Where I moved in FL there is a very big Whole Foods but they are just so expensive. I liked how Trader Joes is more affordable. If the reason there is none is because of the distribution center then it makes sense. I think they would do great here though. It seems like FL has a lot of Super Targets which the other states I have been in don't seem to have. Just they have the regular ones.