Already got one of those: 
Posted on 06/13/2005 1:40:54 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Madison, say hello to Trader Joe's.
The specialty chain grocer has signed a lease for the first-floor space at Monroe Commons, sources close to the deal said.
Trader Joe's will not confirm that it has signed the lease, and developer Monroe Neighbors LLC was not available for comment today, but word about the deal has been rapidly making its way around the neighborhood.
"I'm very pleased that it's Trader Joe's," said Monroe Street retailer and neighborhood resident Carol "Orange" Schroeder. "It will do well in the neighborhood."
There has been speculation about Trader Joe's seeking to bring a store to Madison for years. City officials said the California-based company had looked at spots here and even considered the Monroe Street space it will eventually occupy when Ken Kopp's Fine Foods first closed four years ago.
Trader Joe's has been one of the top contenders for the space at 1864 Monroe St., developers Monroe Neighbors LLC have said. But while the company confirmed that it was interested in entering the Madison market, it would never verify that it was looking at locating a store on Monroe Street.
Trader Joe's is also said to be looking at locating in Milwaukee at the PabstCity development and at the Bayshore Mall, now under renovation.
Williamson Street Grocery Cooperative broke off negotiations with Monroe Commons developers several weeks ago. The successful local organic and natural foods market said a $28-per-square-foot, all-inclusive price was too much for it to pay to operate there.
"I do not feel (Trader Joe's) will satisfy the needs of a neighborhood grocery store at that site. However, they will do well there," said Williamson Street Co-op manager Anya Firszt. "I just think if I lived in that neighborhood and that was my option for getting toilet paper and produce, I would be disappointed."
But local residents who have lobbied for a local grocery at the spot for years are satisfied.
"I think our membership is relieved that a financially viable and high-quality food market is coming to Monroe Street," said Monroe Street Grocery Cooperative President Brad Ricker.
Ald. Ken Golden, who represents the area around the project, said while many people urged him to side with one particular candidate for the spot, he's pleased that the decision was one made by the business interests.
"I'm very happy that it's a private decision, because that means that the grocer is making a commitment to the area and has done studies to say the area can support it," Golden said.
A four-year wait: From the time it closed almost exactly four years ago, the Ken Kopp's site has generated controversy.
The neighborhood lamented the loss of its local grocer and strongly opposed a bid by Walgreen's to open a store on the site.
Fort Atkinson developer High Pointe Properties bought the property in June 2001 for $1.49 million. It sought to redistrict the site to bring in Curves for Women, which was opposed by neighborhood residents.
The Monroe Street Grocery Cooperative group was established to bring a local, natural food store to the spot, but could never reach an affordable lease price with High Pointe.
A couple of years passed, and the property languished. Frustrated, the city sought to condemn the site under its redevelopment law.
In spring 2004, Monroe Neighbors, a group formed with David Keller and his firm, Keller Real Estate Group, and partners Degen & Associates and Trio Development, purchased the property from High Pointe for $2.3 million.
Soon, ground will be broken for the Monroe Commons development, a $22.9 million, five-story multi-use building that received city approval earlier this spring. The project includes 53 condominium homes, 129 underground parking spaces, and 12,000 square feet of first-floor retail space.
The city granted the project a $2.3 million tax incremental financing loan, with the condition that Monroe Commons sign a 10-year lease with a grocery store for that first-floor spot. If the store pulls out of its lease, the developer could owe the city $500,000.
Another condition: The developer needs to have a signed lease from a grocer to begin construction. Monroe Neighbors has said it wants to begin construction this month.
Trader Joe's has about 215 stores in 18 states, none yet in Wisconsin. Stores sell a variety of affordable upscale organic and gourmet foods, and about 2,000 private-label products in a smaller "neighborhood" shop format.
Joe Coulombe began a convenience store chain in 1958 called Pronto Markets in the Los Angeles area. These shops evolved into what is now Trader Joe's in 1967 and was purchased in 1979 by Karl and Theo Albrecht, who also own the ALDI food chain.
Will it be worth a look-see?
I have no idea but if the hippies like it, I'm suspicious :)
Madison has to be one of the most business unfriendly cities in the US. So, if they like a business, I have to wonder how said business is undermining the US.
Just kidding. You should go. They have high quality trendy stuff at reasonable prices.
T J's is great. They have an excellent rep here in So Cal.
Good baked stuff, packaged produce in good condition and
interesting wine. Good and cheap vitamin stuff. You'll love it.
TJs has some great stuff. Be sure to ask about their "Two Buck Chuck."
Trader Joe's is not nearly as good as Whole Foods Market. Now THAT'S a yuppie supermarket!
Already got one of those:
*************
I have to agree. A friend calls Whole Foods "the Food Museum", because the food is so unblemished and perfect looking.
I really like TJ's. Unfortunately, they're not in the DFW area yet.
TWO BUCK CHUCK
I like the Merlot.
It's the ONLY thing not in the DFW area!!
Of course, you get to listen to the radio ads announced by the TJ gal with the speech impediment. She laterally aspirates her "S" sounds, so it sounds like she is munching on something when she is speaking.
But it is well worth it if you care about what you put into your body. You aren't going to find any processed foods with high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils in the whole place.
I like to shop there while wearing my Marine Corps T-shirt. It's fun. It's kind of like walking through Yankee Stadium with a Red Sox cap. Only these people can't hurt you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.