Face It Decatur, Trader Joe's Just Doesn't Like You
August 27, 2008 | 2:32 pmBig News! The AJC just reported that Trader Joe’s will be opening a 6th Atlanta store!
What quirky locale did the alt-grocery store pick this time to go with its off-beat, Midtown, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Norcross locations? Buckhead!
So, if you didn’t want to listen to me before, maybe you might turn an ear my way this time: Decatur, Trader Joe’s ain’t interested.
For all of its funky marketing, organic hummus and insane bell-ringing, Trader Joe’s has little desire to stray outside of the flatout rich, predominantly WASP areas of Atlanta, where they can open a huge store in a sea of parking and be the only funky outlet for millions of decidedly un-funky people. For those more diversified masses that just want a decent frozen meal, we’ll have to drive to the Midtown location, comfortably bouyed between Ansley Park and Virginia-Highland.
That’s tough love for ya’.
I’d actually shop Trader Joe’s on a (semi) regular basis if there was one that didn’t require a car venture. The quality’s just not worth it when the Decatur Farmer’s Market’s right around the corner, but if a TJs were to actually, you know, pay attention to its target demographic and open here in Decatur then, sure, I’d walk on over for some $2 blueberry granola.
Well, the silver lining is that we won’t be lumped in with those other “rich” locations, eh? Trader Joes’ is good, but it ain’t all that…
Anyone have any ideas about an alternative?
As far as I’m concerned, the best alternative is an intown co-op. And that’s exactly what we’re working on making a reality. If anyone is interested in being part of the development process, shoot me an email or a note on the contact page and I can provide you with a bit more info.
Traders Joes = completely and utterly overrated. Especially Two Buck Chuck. There is a reason it’s so cheap. The blister peanuts, which I believe to be coated in crack cocaine, are the only exception. They could build one of these in my backyard (if it were big enough) and I’d still travel the 2 miles to shop at YDFM.
This is somehow news? They’ve had that location planned since the beginning, and it’s been obviously under construction for ages. Gotta love the AJC for yesterday’s really old info.
The store isn’t as great as the hype I was hearing before they entered Atlanta, but I’d love a location closer than the Midtown one. I can’t believe they haven’t put in a location near Northlake or downtown Decatur. I’m very picky about beer, but not wine and think Two Buck is fine. And their coffee is also right up my alley (for espresso). I’d welcome them to Decatur with open arms.
Norcross? WASPy? srsly?
Blister peanuts…crack…really?!
YDFM has got to scare the shit out of any idea of a Decatur Trader Joe’s. I heard a rumor month’s ago about a TJ going in on Memorial Drive near the Parmalat, which has already been sold to developers.
The ‘Norcross’ location is actually located at the Forum in Peachtree Corners, which is north of Norcoss. It’s within a few miles of Atlanta Athletic Club, Country Club of the South, St. Ives and many other seriously WASPy enclaves for the rich and famous. Trust me – the residents and businesses in Peachtree Corners would LOVE to change their address from ‘Norcross’.
I’d love to see a Trader Joe’s nearby! Although I don’t make the drive to midtown very often, I’ve liked almost everything I’ve tried there. (Except the 2 buck chuck – I agree, there is a reason it’s so cheap! However, they have a ton of other good wines at reasonable prices.)
If Decatur doesn’t fit their profile, maybe the Edgewood shopping district would? There has got to be some undeveloped property near it.
“Trader Joe’s has little desire to stray outside of the flatout rich, predominantly WASP areas of Atlanta, where they can open a huge store in a sea of parking and be the only funky outlet for millions of decidedly un-funky people. ”
Decatur, you’re just oh too hip and just so unlike the rest of Atlanta.
O-Gee/Gurn Blanston/Brad Steal/Shirley Franklin – your sarcasm is oh too thick for just one screen name.
Isn’t this recurring Trader Joe’s thread really a “we really intensely dislike the pocket Downtown Kroger” thread? Perhaps energy expended on lobbying TJ would be better spent getting Kroger to upgrade/put their new “Fresh Fare” concept there.
Decatur can’t encompass everything that is great about the metro area. Should we bemoan the fact we don’t have our own IKEA or H&M? I don’t really buy organic but is there a need that isn’t being filled YDFM or Rainbow? (I never shop at Rainbow, but I do miss their old restaurant in the back for Sunday brunch and the Guacamento sandwich).
Ummm Guacamento…never had that but sounds great.
I agree…we could ALL benefit from a redo/pressure washed/fumigated little Kroger. Everything in Decatur doesn’t have to be a green/organic…but CLEAN and uncluttered would be nice.
I agree with the two comments above, but have limited faith in appealing to Kroger management. Anyone with eyes can see that much of the general Decatur population doesn’t shop there because its dirty and the staff is unfriendly. I also believe many people have already complained to no avail.
I love YDFM as much as the next guy, but have been very dissatisfied with meat, seafood, and cheese lately. Not to mention the intense chemical/rotting food smell. Oh and its a stress-filled madhouse half the time.
“I love YDFM as much as the next guy, but have been very dissatisfied with meat, seafood, and cheese lately. Not to mention the intense chemical/rotting food smell.”
Yeah, seriously, does anyone know what the smell is about? It’s gotten REALLY bad recently, to the point that my hands and clothes smell like the YDFM when I come home.
OK, trying to be proactive here. I just checked the YDFM site for contact info for management. They don’t have any email address listed, but this is the phone number: 404-377-6400. I’ll try and call this afternoon.
I will agree with the complaint about the smell. I have found that it is so bad it permeates the baked goods. Not a smell I want when I am eating a piece of bread or muffin.
Yeah wtf is that smell? I assumed it was some sort of far-eastern spice that was blowing through the vents, but chemicals and rotten food? You can even taste it in the chocolate covered pretzels.
We’ve shopped at YDFM for six years and last week was the first time I noticed that smell on something we bought. My wife complained about it and she was right. Weird.
I have noticed the smell for the last 3 or 4 years – but in the last two it’s just gotten terrible. First I had to stop buying any of their baked goods because of the smell, then the cheese and deli items. Whatever that chemical smell is, it’s so bad that I can taste it in my mouth when I leave – and I have to change my clothes because the stink sticks with you for hours.
I wonder of they have just been overusing some chemical to keep away rats or bugs? (I will have to admit, I have never seen a bug in that place – which with all that produce seems very odd)
Perhaps what we need is a Loaf article entitled “What is with that terrible smell at the Dekalb Farmers Market?” to finally make someone at YDFM stand up and take notice – because trying to speak to the employees there is pointless.
My wife has for some years refused to shop there due to the smell, despite the selection of products.
You know, I think the absolute worst thing about YDFM and that rancid stench is that you don’t ever truly know if the cheese you just bought is going to be tasty or a compressed block of fat and rotten-butt-meets-pesticide until you get it home. What a waste of money! The variety just doesn’t amount to diddly if what you buy there is inedible because it is consumed by the special free-funk-with-purchase clearly EVERYONE notices. Secondarily, I grow weary of the fact that so many produce items are sourced non-locally at YDFM — peaches from New Jersey and Washington for example… As a farmer’s market, I’d love to see them put more emphasis on sourcing things locally even if it means things might a little bit more per pound.
Have made a few attempts to talk to them about it, but have finally been forced to take the “vote with your feet” approach. I’ve moved my meat business to Sawicki’s exclusively and started taking a weekly CSA for veg. It costs me a little more but the quality of the food is better and most importantly, doesn’t taste like roadkill-kerosene-stew.
I’d still love a TJ’s in Decatur to fill the niche of quick lunch items and decent but not overly priced food. Sadly, I think you might be right about their desire for large parking lots – but then, practically speaking, if you build it and they can’t park, they won’t come.
Someone just reminded me – what about a Fresh Market? Maybe we could appeal to them? Whole Paycheck *cough* Foods *cough* is a nice place for some stuff (notably seafood) but just too pricey for everyday. We need a good, medium-sized everyday grocery that’s clean, neighborhood-oriented and offers good variety at a reasonable value. Sadly, that’s seems to be harder and harder to find as in-town businesses “go boutique” so that they can afford their lease every month.
“A good, medium-sized everyday grocery, that’s clean, neighborhood-oriented and offer a good variety” is exactly what we aim for as we cautiously move forward with initial plans for a downtown co-op.
decaturite: Wow! I anxiously await the announcement.
Decaturite: If there is any way I can help with that – please let me know.
My wife noticed the smell recently and it was awful. She also said that she is never going to buy cheese, meat and seafood there anymore.
Also, we got some broccoli there and when we got home there were a bunch of bugs in it.
I agree that an intown co-op would do VERY well.