Bring Trader Joe's to Orlando (Jacksonville, Tampa: lease, new construction, versus)

[Downtown Steve]

There's a Facebook page that already has close to 2,000 likes. Please consider joining and then continuing to let the company know that you'd like them to come to our area.

As the page notes, please mention "Orlando" versus another city in the area when contacting them so we can put together our efforts to get one here in Central Florida.

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[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by Downtown Steve

There's a Facebook page that already has close to 2,000 likes. Please consider joining and then continuing to let the company know that you'd like them to come to our area.

As the page notes, please mention "Orlando" versus another city in the area when contacting them so we can put together our efforts to get one here in Central Florida.

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It's a matter of time I'm sure. Naples has one already and Sarasota apparently is getting one soon. Then on to Tampa and up the I-4 corridor Winter Park and Dr Phillips will probably be the first couple of stores I'm sure (to compete with Whole Foods)

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

It's a matter of time I'm sure. Naples has one already and Sarasota apparently is getting one soon. Then on to Tampa and up the I-4 corridor Winter Park and Dr Phillips will probably be the first couple of stores I'm sure (to compete with Whole Foods)

I agree and had heard from a reputable source that they were opening in the state before they publicly announced and also that they would be well committed with many locations across the state. They're business M.O. of late with new stores seems to mirror current or new/soon to open Whole Foods stores, so would say it's a safe bet that the Winter Park and Dr Phillips areas are locks for a Trader Joe's. With the Sarasota store soon to open the next logical spot is Tampa/St Pete followed by Orlando and Jacksonville, though I wonder where the South Florida market falls in their expansion timeline as that'll no doubt entail the bulk of their stores in the state.

[Pete C]

Too bad Trader Joes isn't going into Mills Park as opposed to Fresh Market. The location would have been awesome since it is right between Winter Park and downtown. TJs tends to go into existing shopping centers rather than new construction though. That empty Borders at Winter Park Village might be a candidate as they moved into a former Borders in Naples. That parking lot would be a zoo though, so maybe not.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Pete C

That empty Borders at Winter Park Village might be a candidate as they moved into a former Borders in Naples. That parking lot would be a zoo though, so maybe not.

That is a good location though I think the traffic/parking issues would keep them out of there too. I sent their corporate office a suggestion of Winter Park Palms on Aloma Avenue. Even though the plaza is virtually empty it is in a great residential area (their target demographic) and would offer a lower lease than most areas of Winter Park. They could probably have their way with the management company for whatever floorplan, signage and whatnot versus a plaza that's already full. People are chomping at the bit for a Trader Joe's store to open here, so it's not like it has to be wedged into a prime commercial zone to hope to attract customers like most new businesses. Not to mention they'll fill the plaza with other stores hoping to ride their coattails.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

That is a good location though I think the traffic/parking issues would keep them out of there too. I sent their corporate office a suggestion of Winter Park Palms on Aloma Avenue. Even though the plaza is virtually empty it is in a great residential area (their target demographic) and would offer a lower lease than most areas of Winter Park. They could probably have their way with the management company for whatever floorplan, signage and whatnot versus a plaza that's already full. People are chomping at the bit for a Trader Joe's store to open here, so it's not like it has to be wedged into a prime commercial zone to hope to attract customers like most new businesses. Not to mention they'll fill the plaza with other stores hoping to ride their coattails.

Yeah, that is a good point. Trader Joe's is a destination, so it would revitalize just about any shopping center you put it in. I just drove by there the other day actually and was thinking how dead it was.

[idr591]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

That is a good location though I think the traffic/parking issues would keep them out of there too. I sent their corporate office a suggestion of Winter Park Palms on Aloma Avenue. Even though the plaza is virtually empty it is in a great residential area (their target demographic) and would offer a lower lease than most areas of Winter Park. They could probably have their way with the management company for whatever floorplan, signage and whatnot versus a plaza that's already full. People are chomping at the bit for a Trader Joe's store to open here, so it's not like it has to be wedged into a prime commercial zone to hope to attract customers like most new businesses. Not to mention they'll fill the plaza with other stores hoping to ride their coattails.

Way too far east and wrong demographic IMHO.

[gypsychic]

Here is the article in today's Herald announcing the opening of the Sarasota store Sept 7 complete with photo.

Sarasota Trader Joe's sets opening date: Sept. 7 | HeraldTribune.com

It is in a former "Rooms-to-Go stand-alone store that was totally made over. This location is a couple miles south of downtown where Whole Foods is, and just a bit south of one of the most popular Publix stores that draws a very wealthy crowd ( they sell a LOT of wine and "greenwise" there). TJ's likes to locate where they can draw from a wealthy clientele within a 10 mile radius, and this location hits that mark easily.

This store was announced shortly after the Naples one opened. If rumours I have heard are correct, Tampa will be next in line, and will probably be announced shortly after Sarasota opens. After that I am guessing Orlando and Jax, and that could be it for now. I had read last fall that they would open with just a few locations in FL, because they were aggressively expanding in TX.

So, those of you in Orlando, be patient, maybe next year. I'll be thinking of you as I shop there this fall.