If you love a trip to Trader Joe’s, you’re in good company. The tiki-themed chain has an incredibly loyal following for many reasons: fun branding, a relaxed vibe, and a wide selection of affordable private-label products.
“There’s this kind of stigma that private label is something you settle for so you can pay a lower price than you would for a name-brand option,” Trader Joe’s expert Julie Averbach told CNBC. “At Trader Joe’s, the private-label products are affordable luxuries.”
Many of those affordable luxuries are plant-based—which, of course, is why we’re big fans of the chain. We especially can’t get enough of the freezer aisle, which is why last year we ranked 23 of its best plant-based frozen foods (intrigued? Find out the winner here).
Fortunately, more people than ever will soon have access to Trader Joe’s extensive plant-based range. The chain recently announced plans to open 18 new stores across 12 states in the coming months, in addition to eight locations it revealed in March.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s expansion plans
The new stores will be in the following states:
California
- Anaheim Hills—6336 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd., Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
- Paso Robles— 2457 Golden Hill Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446
Florida
- Orlando—1444 North Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828
- West Palm Beach—8111 S Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Georgia
- Johns Creek—1000 Medley Blvd., Johns Creek, GA 30097
Illinois
- Oswego—1930 US-34, Oswego, IL 60543
Kansas
- Merriam—8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Merriam, KS 66202
Louisiana
- Mandeville—3377 U.S. Hwy. 190, Mandeville, LA 70471
- New Orleans—2428 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115
- Lafayette—1710 Camellia Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70508
Massachusetts
- Reading—34 Walkers Brook Dr., Reading, MA 01867
New Jersey
- West Orange—471 Mt Pleasant Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052
Texas
- McKinney—8101 Eldorado Pkwy., McKinney, TX 75070
Utah
- Herriman—4850 W 13400 South, Herriman, UT 84096
Washington
- Woodinville — 14035 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd., Woodinville, WA 98072
- Spokane Valley — 13414 E Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99216
- Seattle — 401 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA 98125
California already has the most Trader Joe’s stores in the country, with more than 200 locations.
Right now, only a few states—including Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming—don’t have a Trader Joe’s. But that could change.
“We’re adding lots of stores,” Tara Miller said on the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast. “Even though we’re a company that’s been in business for close to 60 years at this point, we are growing.” She added: “We’re growing at a pace that we can sustain.”
Unsplash
The chain’s success comes down to more than just its products—it’s also about its small, intimate stores and distinctive branding. Each new location will have its own identity, tailored to the local area.
“Each Trader Joe’s is very much unique,” says Averbach. “The artwork is very personalized to reflect the local community. They all tap into a sense of local pride and identity, which is something that I think is really unique for a grocery retailer.”
“The packaging and the art and design play an important role in turning these private label products—something that would be perceived as perhaps less expensive and inferior in quality—into something that feels high quality and attractive for a customer,” she continued.
Want to know more about Trader Joe’s plant-based range? We received 50,000 votes to find the best vegan Trader Joe’s products of all time—check out the results here.
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
