New Trader Joe's opens in Santa Monica

On Saturday, Nov. 16, a new Trader Joe’s opened on Wilshire and 23rd St. in Santa Monica, less than three miles from Samo’s campus. The grocery store is known for its low-priced food items and festive culture. The second Santa Monica store will be part of the 21 Trader Joe’s opening across the country and an addition to the 488 already existing US shops. The market is a popular grocery option among Samo families and has many students excited for its new location.Previously a full service car wash, a new three story building designed by DFH Architects, occupies the entire block where the new Trader Joe’s will be. Its ground floor provides 25,000 square feet of commercial space for the new Trader Joe’s and another future business. Above is a mixed-use complex with 30 spaces available for rent. Validated underground parking with a 23rd St. entrance will be available for customers.  Other grocers occupy nearby buildings, with Whole Foods right across the street and both Bristol Farms and Erewhon only a few blocks away. An additional eight grocery stores already exist within Santa Monica's eight and a half square mile area.Trader Joe's is known for keeping its prices low while offering a diverse selection of fresh and frozen food. To do so, the market made private label products with the “Trader Joe's” tag to reduce middlemen costs, which is how the company says they produce high quality products at inexpensive prices. They are also constantly tailoring their selection to please consumers. When a product does not sell well, it’s replaced by something new and improved.Trader Joe’s enhances the grocery shopping experience by interacting with customers to create a sense of community among staff and shoppers. Employees intentionally stock shelves during business hours, hand out samples, create handwritten signs and provide entertaining activities for kids. A stuffed animal monkey named “Molly” is hidden around the store for kids to find and receive a lollipop in return, as well as stickers at checkout. The grocery store chain is adored by many Samo students and families for carrying a wide range of snacks and prepared meals. Susan Slavonia (’22) lives close to the chain’s first Santa Monica location on Pico Blvd and 32nd St. “I love Trader Joe's because it's actually fun to go shopping there. When I was a kid I loved looking for the hidden monkey so that I could get a lollipop. They always have a sample station and they decorate the store to create a super nice environment,” Slavonia said.Trader Joes has a diverse selection , providing options that meet a wide range of diets.“I have Celiacs and Trader Joe's is one of my go-tos. It caters to all dietary restrictions. They provide fantastic options that are vegan friendly, gluten free and paleo,” Sophie Gibbons (’21) said. According to The Harvard Business Review, local markets have positive effects on the local economy, offering more jobs, increasing the value of nearby homes and attracting other businesses to the area. The convenience of the market’s new location seems to outway the slight boost of the area’s activity.“In my opinion the convenience of another Trader Joe’s in that area is worth the low amount of increased traffic, also because I haven’t noticed much of a negative change in traffic or noise.” Quinn Armour (’22), a Samo student who lives near the new location said.The new Trader Joe's will now provide an affordable food shopping option to Mid-City Santa Monica and Samo families are excited.