Our Official Campaign to Bring Trader Joe's to Astoria. Who's In?

Anytime someone raises the question of "do you know what Astoria really needs?". There are two resounding answers:

Trader Joe's
A bookstore

We wholeheartedly agree that either/both of these would be amazing additions to our burgeoning neighborhood, but for now, we're just going to focus on #1. As one of our members recently pointed out, there's even a form online to request a Trader Joe's in your neighborhood--making our job easier.

This has been brought up on our site before, but let this be the kickoff of our formal campaign to get a Trader Joe's in our hood.

How can you help?

Go to this form on their website to formally request a Trader Joe's.

Suggest a location (ie. the old Blockbuster location on 31st and Ditmars)

Why should you help?

True, Trader Joe's is a chain that could impact smaller, local groceries and bodegas. Arguably, it could encourage them to be more competitive by losing the cans of beans and Hamburger Helper and carrying more of the fresh products we desire like local, organic, and vegetarian options. The great thing about Trader Joe's (beyond their hard-to-find goods) is they buy directly from the suppliers to ensure the lowest possible price to the consumer.

Tags: grocery, organic, shopping, trader joe's, vegetarian

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Comment by Steven Seegers on March 29, 2012 at 2:40pm: I just walked by the old Blockbuster space. There's a handwritten sign on the door that says "California Market". Anyone have a clue what that is? I Googled it, but to no avail...

Comment by ginna on February 10, 2012 at 9:31am: Trader Joe's sold my phone number! As soon as I typed it in, I started getting junk texts!! I am not happy.

Comment by Harris on February 8, 2012 at 1:24pm: Ray, so Woodhaven is busy, single people?

Comment by Eric Gordon on February 8, 2012 at 11:50am: A class issue? I just want cheap, good groceries. I don't think I'm better than anyone else, nor do I want Astoria to be Manhattan; that's why I live here. I don't think it's unreasonable to want better for myself or my community.

What "scientific comparisons" would you like done? I don't even know what that means. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that fruit and vegetables have been sitting for way too long and that a store has overpriced product. If you have actually ever been to a Trader Joes, yes actually, it is a golden standard, one that no grocer I have found in Astoria is meeting. The only place I absolutely adore is United Brothers for their amazing produce. That's something no TJs could ever replicate.

Comment by Harris on February 8, 2012 at 11:43am: Astoria can never be Manhattan. There's a zoning issue that prevents buildings from being huge, and prevents residential areas from turning commercial. It can never become as dense, or dark, or home to as many jobs, or attract as many tourists.

Comment by Joe A. on February 7, 2012 at 8:07pm: Honestly, the neighborhood needs a bookstore. However, don't think thats gonna happen anytime soon.. read this. http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/08/its-pattern-london-ri...

Comment by Veronica Curtis on February 7, 2012 at 7:14pm: I will personally offer to renovate the store if they agree. MSG me when deal is sealed.

Yay! That strip is so blasé any way... it could really use some Trader Joe's Lentil Marsala Dip to spice it up!

Comment by Astoria Haiku on February 7, 2012 at 1:34pm: I think Berry Fresh is nasty by the way. Every time I go in there for vegetables, I feel like I'm sorting through the exact same potatoes and onions I did the last time I was there. And the fish section in such close proximity to vegetables, weird.

Comment by Astoria Haiku on February 7, 2012 at 1:22pm: There's plenty of "old money" and old-school folks that will keep all the other places around. If anything, it'll force them to step-up their game and clean up their act (Trade Fair and Best Yet can be nasty sometimes in my opinion). I'd argue that TD Bank (formerly Commerce) would be the banking equivalent of Trader Joe's, and while TD appeals to a younger, perhaps a more demanding customer (online options, open on Sundays, late-hours, etc.) the little engine that could, Astoria Federal, is plugging along only a few doors down on Ditmars, with landlords walking in and out with their passbooks counting their rent money.

I drive to Woodhaven to go to TJ's about once a week. If I happen to be in the city and it's not a madhouse, I'll go to one of their locations in Manhattan. I still have to get deli-meat, prepared foods and other stuff at Rosario's. I'll still get my bread from Rosario's or Rose & Joe's. I buy my beer from Triboro Beverage or if I'm in a jam, Key Food or Astoria Market. Options and competition are good for the consumer at the end of the day, and I'm all for it. There was probably a time when nobody wanted Key Food or Best Yet or Trade Fair in the neighborhood. Things evolve, neighborhoods evolve. I love the idea and I'm signing the petition.

Comment by Julianne Gerrish on February 4, 2012 at 9:39am: I'm sort of on the fence about this. While I think having a Trader Joe's would be a huge convenience (since I do tend to buy many things there)... I also love the Trade Fairs on 30th Avenue and on Ditmars. These stores sell so many amazing, cross-cultural, reasonably priced groceries. I'm not really thinking that a TJs would put these other local groceries out of business (since I do believe that a lot of Astorians shop at their local/walking distance markets)...but I do feel that it could take a "little something" out of the neighborhood. Those suburban-esque restaurants near the movie theater are already changing the landscape (and not for the better). Astoria's great because it's Astoria (and not Long Island).