Trader Joe's "Snake Line" at 22nd and Market Sts sucks! (Philadelphia: house, live)

[selhars]

Yep! Not for a special trip just for that store. But IF I'm on my way back from the Wilmington area, I might.
But I also would just as likely go to the Media store. Just depends on how much I want to swing "out of my way."
IF I needed gas AND a TJs run, then Brandywine might win out. It just depends.

I've been to TJs in four states + DC: VA, DC, MD, PA, and NJ.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by selhars

Yep! Not for a special trip just for that store. But IF I'm on my way back from the Wilmington area, I might.
But I also would just as likely go to the Media store. Just depends on how much I want to swing "out of my way."
IF I needed gas AND a TJs run, then Brandywine might win out. It just depends.

I've been to TJs in four states + DC: VA, DC, MD, PA, and NJ.

I used to hit the Delaware store once a month, as well as other stores because I absolutely hated the parking lot of the Marlton store. I could drive down 2 roads and do half of my monthly shopping. It was worth the drive for me.

[chessimprov]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

. . .

The destination thing is going to come back & bite Trader Joe's. They should be building a 2nd Trader Joe's in Center City right now. If Lidl goes into a location in or near Center City, Trader Joe's will be boxed in. Lidl goes after both Aldis.

There will be a Lidl in Ridley Park on 12/12.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by BK_PHL_DEL

...it's called the city. You know, a densely populated area with wait for it....PEOPLE!! That TJ's is small and is in the heart of Rittenhouse/Center City. If you don't like it, go further up to Whole Foods. Or do what my wife and I used to do: I walk in, immediately get on line and my wife flutters around the store and drops things in the cart as I move in line.

Yep. The wife fluttering technique works like a charm.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by selhars

What the company really needs to do is have another TJs (at least ONE more) in the city.
East of Broad...Old City, Society Hill....even that far east would alleviate some of the traffic ..
.

True THAT!!

What I wouldn't give for a TJs in old city

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

This is correct. Unfortunately, outside of California, Trader Joe's has cultivated being a destination, with people traveling to the store. A German poster told me that one of the sons of the founder of Aldi Nord was in charge of Trader Joe's. He died & the family has been having problems with demands from his widow.

The destination thing is going to come back & bite Trader Joe's. They should be building a 2nd Trader Joe's in Center City right now. If Lidl goes into a location in or near Center City, Trader Joe's will be boxed in. Lidl goes after both Aldis.

Why is Trader Joes expanding so much in the New York City market? They seem to be opening at least 1 store a year in NYC. Is that just because its New York?

And every TJ in NYC is just like Philadelphia with lines around the store. I heard from a TJ employee once that the Philadelphia store is one of the highest grossing in the country, yet they continue to keep 1 store in the entire city...

[Pine to Vine]

As far as TJ’s goes, I never even saw the koolaide, let alone drank it.

[moneymkt]

wondering is TJ the only place you can go to in the city that sells pineapple juice in a carton? Most places that sell pineapple juice comes in a can.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Why is Trader Joes expanding so much in the New York City market? They seem to be opening at least 1 store a year in NYC. Is that just because its New York?

And every TJ in NYC is just like Philadelphia with lines around the store. I heard from a TJ employee once that the Philadelphia store is one of the highest grossing in the country, yet they continue to keep 1 store in the entire city...

I can't answer that reliably. I can tell you that there are 3 Trader Joe's in Charlotte & none in the suburbs. People wanted Trader Joe's to open stores in the larger suburban cities. Lidl opened one of the first group of stores in Gastonia, which is one of those cities. I haven't heard a peep about Trader Joe's since. That's why I said what I said. Lidl has since opened a store in another of those cities. Lidl is now in the 2 largest suburban cities.

There should be someone in Germany in charge of Trader Joe's, at the Aldi Nord offices. I don't know what the situation is, but if Lidl moves into Center City, it's positioned between Aldi & Trader Joe's. They will siphon off customers who are sick of the lines. That I can tell you. The people at Aldi Nord should know better.

[selhars]

There will be a Lidl in Ridley Park on 12/12.

I read that the Lidl opens December 6th.

If Lidl goes into a location in or near Center City,

Yep. That would be a success also.
I really do think CC could use another grocery. What do the folks in Old City and N. Liberties (Soc Hill and Wash Sq.) have as a major grocer?
How is the MOM's Organic Market doing?
I loved the one near me when I lived in Maryland.

I liked the Lidl I went to, and if it were closer I could see it being a place I'd patronize.

I don't know what the situation is, but if Lidl moves into Center City, it's positioned between Aldi & Trader Joe's. They will siphon off customers who are sick of the lines. That I can tell you. The people at Aldi Nord should know better.

I believe a study found the Lidl's prices a are actually lower (a bit) than TJs, Aldi's and Walmart. And Lidl has an in-store bakery with "fresh baked" goods, and more produce and products overall than Aldi.