I miss Trader Joes.... (Houston, San Antonio: college, restaurant, vs)

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

Topaz--there are at least three threads a month in both the Houston and Texas forums about Trader Joe's or In-n-Out. It gets tiring when you try to ask about it and can't get a straight answer. Everyone just laments. Do you all need therapy?

Probably. But seriously, Trader Joe's is NOT like the other grocery stores...they are unique...that's why they have such rabid fans. They carry products that are tough to find anywhere else and then they put them all in this cute little store where people LIKE to shop. Their stores are usually quite small...they don't seem like a chain grocery store, more like a small specialty foods retail place. What questions have you asked that no one has answered?

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

Ah yes, of course. The ol' "just avoid it if you don't like it" bit. I was not expecting this kind of answer from you, though. I guess you took my post a little too personally, and for that I apologize.

No, not personally, I just really didn't see why you'd read a thread that was annoying to you. Honestly, I think if Trader Joe's ever comes to town, you may like them a lot.

True story: When my family lived in Colorado for a year, we went to a party and when we walked in, the hostess was standing in the corner of her kitchen bemoaning the fact that she had just moved to Colorado from the West Coast and she was used to buying specialty foods from Trader Joe's whenever she threw a party. She was lamenting the lack of a Trader Joe's in Colorado and there were about 12 people from the West and East Coasts standing around her also discussing their disappointment that Trader Joe's wasn't in Colorado.

So it isn't just Texans...

[Sampaguita]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

That Hubbell & Hudson place isn't going to last long in this economy.

Samp, you can get to the WF on Wilcrest in less than 40 minutes if you go out the back way of TW to 249 to the Beltway aad exit Westhiemer. It's a haul, but I feel for you and the produce up there. ICK.

Yeah - I was so excited about H&H up here and then when I went I about fell over when I saw the prices. I was offended! LOL

Thanks for the tip on the WF at Wilcrest. Would the one on Woodway be any closer? Strange that according to their locations it's 2 miles away from each other - seems like a short distance between WF's.

Thanks, too, for your empathy about the produce up here - it's not the greatest nor the biggest selections. I suffer up here. JUST KIDDING!!!!!!

[EasilyAmused]

I love the one on Woodway, it's my shop.
But, coming from TW, the one on Wilcrest is just easier to get to. but if you are in the Galleria, you can buzz by the Woodway one (which will be closing and moving to Post Oak and San Felipe)

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

I love the one on Woodway, it's my shop.
But, coming from TW, the one on Wilcrest is just easier to get to. but if you are in the Galleria, you can buzz by the Woodway one (which will be closing and moving to Post Oak and San Felipe)

When is that happening, do you know? The new store at Post Oak and San Felipe is supposed to be huge and fabulous.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by Topaz

Probably. But seriously, Trader Joe's is NOT like the other grocery stores...they are unique...that's why they have such rabid fans. They carry products that are tough to find anywhere else and then they put them all in this cute little store where people LIKE to shop. Their stores are usually quite small...they don't seem like a chain grocery store, more like a small specialty foods retail place. What questions have you asked that no one has answered?

If you'll read the previous page, you can see some of my questions and the answers. I guess anything unresolved will have to await a personal visit to a TJ's.

No, not personally, I just really didn't see why you'd read a thread that was annoying to you.

Not thread. Threads. Posts. Many. Just didn't understand what the heck all the fuss was, that's all. Still...kinda....don't. Hm. Fear of the unknown? Perhaps.

Honestly, I think if Trader Joe's ever comes to town, you may like them a lot.

Well, you're probably right about that.

And now, I'll take your former advice, which is what I should have done in the first place. I didn't mean to create such a brouhaha. Very sorry to anyone I might have offended!

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

Very sorry to anyone I might have offended!

I'm sure no one is actually offended.

[Sampaguita]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I'm sure no one is actually offended.

Hah! Speak for yourself!

I'm joking...I would hope no one would actually get offended over anything said on a "grocery" thread.

But all the food-talk here made me hungry so I popped out to Sonic for a cheeseburger & fries. Pretty yummy!

Mom2Feebs - I agree with Topaz - if/when TJ's ever gets to Texas, I do think you would enjoy it as well. I remember when it opened in Phoenix and PHX natives were so excited to have one in town. Although now, that experience may be a let-down for you as we've hyped it up so much.

[nmnita]

[i] have to say the commercial was really pretty funny. Not totally objective to say the least but cute. I do have one complaint, that is the discontinuation from time to time of something.

Now, for those who have not been to a T.J.s how many stores do you know where you can buy 4 artichokes for $2.00 or sometimes packs of about 30 baby Artichokes for around the same price. or find plastic containers of all colors baby oninons for about the same? There bread is as good as bread gets for as little as $1.79 a loaf.

I think I will sign off of this thread for now, but I bet if another appears, like most of you, I will be right back to put in my nickels worth wheter you care or not..

ps yes, I do laugh at all the yoga moms shopping at TJs all the time, but I have seen lots of non yoga oldster as well.

Nita

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by nmnita

[i] have to say the commercial was really pretty funny. Not totally objective to say the least but cute. I do have one complaint, that is the discontinuation from time to time of something.

That is TOTALLY true. My family used to say it was a total risk to fall in love with a particular TJ's item because once you do, they discontinue it in favor of something new. It works much better if you just let yourself be surprised each time by the product offerings.

[Sampaguita]

Originally Posted by Topaz

That is TOTALLY true. My family used to say it was a total risk to fall in love with a particular TJ's item because once you do, they discontinue it in favor of something new. It works much better if you just let yourself be surprised each time by the product offerings.

I hear ya! There was something my mother fell in love with that she had me going there every couple of months to buy a large quantity of & shipping back to the east coast. She was so bummed when TJ's discontinued the item.