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I shop at TJs a couple of times a month. Although TJs operations are managed from their office near LA, they are owned by the Aldi's chain in Germany (largest supermarket chain in central Europe). Many imported packaged, non-perishable items at TJs that you won't see in other US markets are sold at Aldi's in Europe. TJ's is able to use the buying clout and connections that Aldi's has to obtain many of those items at good prices.
I buy TJs house brand of Soy Milk, the flash frozen fish (better than "the so-called fresh" in most grocery stores), and an assortment of other basic food items. I don't eat pre-packaged prepared foods, so there is a lot they sell that I don't buy.
I don't buy their produce. They pre-bag most produce into into certain sized plastic containers or bags, you don't get to pick what you want. Instead I go to some neighborhood markets, in particular a middle eastern market where they bring in produce direct from the LA produce market and get it onto the shelf the same day. Much better selection, better prices, and better quality from the smaller market than from TJs. Whole Foods (aka "Whole Paycheck") is not convenient to where I live so I would not drive 15 miles each way to pay double the price of what I can get nearby.
Its the closest place to pick up some groceries where I live, its nice, there is not really alot there that I buy, but it has some items I can get. My main dislike with it is not with the store but with the people that stand in front of it. This may be something more prone to Portland but at one of its locations, one is always approached quite verbally to sign petitions about this that and everything going in or out of the store. I actually avoid TJ's here more so than I would in another city I think because of that.
I love TJ's and am fortunate to have four of them within a very reasonable distance from my house. Yes, sometimes there are people out front who want you to sign their petition or make a donation to whatever cause they are trying to sell us on, but you have that in front of almost every store you patronize. I just walk past them like I don't see them, or just say "no thank you" and keep walking.
Yes but Whole Foods is much bigger and has more products.
Not where I live O.O Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are the same size and Trader Joe's has a larger selection of foods- especially frozen, microwavable foods (which I live off of as a college student with no access to a kitchen).
I adore TJ's. I dragged my mom there when I went home.
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And Whole Foods is FAR more expensive.
