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Unread 06-04-2012, 10:58 AM
 
Location: Chicago, IL
1,370 posts, read 1,023,704 times
Reputation: 1028
I think C-U would be a nice place for a Trader Joe's. I also would disagree with the comment that students don't have money to spend so they wouldn't frequent TJs. In Madison, the TJs is easily accessible via bus, and I knew a number of students (undergraduate and graduate) that frequently visited the store; the food prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality of food you get. In my opinion, if there is another TJs that opens in Illinois outside of Chicagoland or the St. Louis area, I bet it would be in C-U ... or maybe B-N(?).
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Unread 06-04-2012, 12:39 PM
 
Location: Central Illinois
64 posts, read 60,123 times
Reputation: 18
I think the Champaign area could definitely support a Trader Joe's. Students do not have much money, but in reality, many of them live off their parents' dollar. If they put it near campus, I'm sure it would do great.
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Unread 08-06-2012, 05:59 PM
 
Location: Phoenix, AZ
257 posts, read 254,121 times
Reputation: 213
I actually spoke to the reginal rep for TJ's when I lived in Illinois and he essentially told me this:

There are plans for TJ's to eventually locate in almost every Big Ten community, but most are not in their 3-5 year plan (this was around 2008). Things stalled with the economy so I'm sure a lot of store openings were put on hold because of that, just like almost every other retailer. At the time, they were focusing on saturating the largest markets first, and then would look to locate in secondary markets like C-U. Now that things are picking up again, maybe they are going to move forward with the plans again, and perhaps them opening a location in State College is a good indication of that.
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Unread 08-07-2012, 06:29 AM
 
Location: Urbana, IL
16 posts, read 31,010 times
Reputation: 14
Thanks Shampoo! That's pretty good news! We're still moving forward, though things have slowed down considerably. We're waiting for the university to start up again to get the next wave of signatures on the petition. We've also met with three developers and are in the process of putting together information about their properties. We'll see what comes of everything soon!
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Unread 08-07-2012, 08:01 AM
 
16,407 posts, read 21,084,963 times
Reputation: 6941
Default Try this google search...

" notoriusly tight-lipped Albrecht family" -- the brothers that own the PRIVATELY HELD Aldi/ Trader's Joe enterprise (as well dominating the Germany grocery business...) are about as secretive as villains in a 007 movie. They routinely make the terms of all their contracts harder to uncover than the initiation rights of Knights Templar...

Whether it comes to GMO, recycling, wine labeling or just future business plans there is far more speculation than disclosure.

Tons and tons of articles / blog posts attest to the opaque business practices of the firm. Low costs are enough to make even harsh critics look the other way:

http://www.sustainableindustries.com...er-joe’s

http://firstvine.wordpress.com/2011/...dont-go-there/
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Unread 08-07-2012, 03:51 PM
 
Location: Not where you ever lived
9,271 posts, read 9,485,109 times
Reputation: 4306
So what? Those bloggers don't like Tj's; I do. I bought a bottle each of the red and the white two buck Chuck for $6 and not $4 because I wasn't in California. I was not disappointed and neither were my friends. I'm neither a winer nor a California wine snob. I would rather drink the over-priced Belgian beer because I can't buy it locally. But I don't go there for booze I don't like or to complain about it in a blog.

If I can't buy fresh produce from a local farmer I usually buy from Kroger or Aldi. I generally drive the 200 miles to bulk buy from Tjs what I can't buy locally. It is not that hard to buy organic fresh kill if you where to look.

The interesting thing about the two stores is I've never seen Tj's that wasn't busy at 9pm or an Aldi's that wasn't busy either. There must be something that draws customers besides low prices. Perhaps it is quality and customer service.
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Unread 08-07-2012, 04:24 PM
 
16,407 posts, read 21,084,963 times
Reputation: 6941
Default Not about "like", about impenetrable business practices / plans...

The two links I picked were representative of the THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS of results that the google search about "notoriusly tight lipped Albretch family". I agree that the firm does seem to find the right locations to draw shoppers in with their low prices and clever marketing. What I do not believe is possible is to crack the formula that will disclose how they decide to locate stores / expand any more than I think customers could convince Coca-Cola to explain what exactly is the recipe for their softdrink...

(btw what is "organic fresh kill" ?)
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Unread 08-07-2012, 09:34 PM
 
Location: Not where you ever lived
9,271 posts, read 9,485,109 times
Reputation: 4306
Default It's not magic. it's business.

Aggregate population, median household income, business friendly climate, an anchor store with/near surface parking, and perhaps an area wide attraction such as ocean or mountains.






Quote:
Originally Posted by chet everett View Post
The two links I picked were representative of the THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS of results that the google search about "notoriusly tight lipped Albretch family". I agree that the firm does seem to find the right locations to draw shoppers in with their low prices and clever marketing. What I do not believe is possible is to crack the formula that will disclose how they decide to locate stores / expand any more than I think customers could convince Coca-Cola to explain what exactly is the recipe for their softdrink...

(btw what is "organic fresh kill" ?)
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Unread 08-07-2012, 09:42 PM
 
Location: Not where you ever lived
9,271 posts, read 9,485,109 times
Reputation: 4306
Default Transportation

I've been in TJ's in California and St. Louis; they are all near a major commercial route. They deliver 365. Logistically B-N would make more sense as it midway on 1-55 between St. Louis and Chicago, plus it has a greater aggregate area.





Quote:
Originally Posted by Maintainschaos View Post
I think C-U would be a nice place for a Trader Joe's. I also would disagree with the comment that students don't have money to spend so they wouldn't frequent TJs. In Madison, the TJs is easily accessible via bus, and I knew a number of students (undergraduate and graduate) that frequently visited the store; the food prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality of food you get. In my opinion, if there is another TJs that opens in Illinois outside of Chicagoland or the St. Louis area, I bet it would be in C-U ... or maybe B-N(?).
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Unread 08-07-2012, 09:50 PM
 
16,407 posts, read 21,084,963 times
Reputation: 6941
Oceans or mountains? So when is the Champaign petition crew gonna start working on those?

Honestly one of my best friends is a leasing agent for the region's largest brokerages for strip centers. He has gotten Trader Joe's to locate in some malls but when he asks them to take a look at locations with nearly identical demographics and complimentary tenants they turn him down. It is maddening as they are an easy tenant with very modest build-out requirements and are attractive to other tenants as they tend to increase traffic in a positive way, with many shoppers visiting weekly.

Take a gander at these locations, they have very little in common -- older mall, new construction, in middle of block for one, busy corner for another --

trader joe's locations downer grove il - Google Maps

trader joe's locations glen ellyn il - Google Maps

trader joe's locations la grange il - Google Maps
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