Trader Joes

[sookiesue]

The thing I dislike the most at TJs is the slowness of the check out people. It's like they are all in another world. I generally run in to buy a few things and I hate waiting, nor do I want to be chatted up.

There are two Trader Joes in my area that I go to, and the checkout people are outstanding. I am happy to wait an extra minute or two in line to be treated kindly and have someone answer my questions if I have any. I am also happy to wait a bit for the people ahead of me to be treated with similar decency. It's refreshing to see.

A couple of years ago I was there and I had my 2 year old in the seat in the shopping cart and had was carrying my 3 month old in a sling across my front. The checkout guy not only offered to help me out to my car to unload the bags, but he pushed the cart for me and delighted my 2 year old with funny faces and other silliness. When he got to the car he loaded my bags into the trunk for me while I buckled the kids into their car seats. I wrote a letter to the company when I got home commending this employee for his great attitude and kindness that went beyond the store doors.

A little humanity like that goes a long way these days, I think.

As far as what I buy - the ones here have decent organic selections: milk, peanut butter (best price I've seen anywhere), veggies and fruits - these aren't always available but are priced well when they have them, nuts, pasta, wine, juice.

[Catrin]

It's been interesting reading the different perspectives of this store. The one I go to has very quick and helpful service. A few years back when I was much heavier and had major problems with hypoglycemia, one of their employees gave me some orange juice when I suddenly had a problem with it - and wouldn't allow me to pay for it.

[OakLeaf]

I'm really glad they finally signed the Fair Food Agreement. They're the only grocery chain in my area that's signed it. Unfortunately I'm using the phrase "in my area" loosely, since the nearest store is about 45 miles away.

I like their cheese selection. They've got a private label Ossau-Iraty that's not too bad.

[Crankin]

I fully admit I have no tolerance in the store, for lines, chatting, or anything. I have my food unloaded quickly for the cashier and my method of payment is ready to go.
I am only like this in grocery stores. It's different in smaller, local businesses. I plan my shopping at times when it's generally not busy, so it doesn't stress me out. I like cooking and eating, so hence, I want my shopping experience to be pleasant. I know this might sound b*t chy, but I do notice, that compared to my regular store or even the natural foods store that is smaller, I sometimes think the employees at TJs are all stoned.

[Pedal Wench]

I've become a complete addict for TJ's Goddess Dressing. It's a salad dressing unlike anything I've had - a kinda sesame-tahini-garlicy yummy-ness that makes me want to like the salad bowl clean. Yeah, that good. I don't have a TJ's anywhere near me, so I buy 10 bottles at a time.

Like others have said, their junk food is amazing - SLIGHTLY healthier than regular junk food (brown rice crisps, sesame crackers, etc.) and their candies are wonderful - pistachio toffee, dark-chocolate covered cherries, espresso beans, it's all good. Might be time for a road trip once my dressing stash gets a bit lower.