Since moving to Vancouver, I've regularly visited Bellingham to hit up Target and TJ Maxx, get gas, and do other errands in the States, not knowing there was a Trader Joe's right here in town. How on earth did I miss this??? When I lived in Redmond, WA for 25 years, I visited TJ's at least once a week. Before one opened up down the street from my, I used to go to the Bellevue and Kirkland TJ's. They all are very similar, and the all are AWESOME. And I am so so so glad to report that this one here in B'ham is also fabulous (despite the hazardous drivers in the wonky parking lot)!
I'm not going to reiterate what all the others have said about this fantastic chain of stores, and this one in particular. I'll just add some facts that others haven't mentioned:
-starting in September, and running to December, TJ's has the most amazing selection of seasonal foods (i.e. pumpkin-, cranberry-, apple- based foods). From cookies to crackers, pancake and bread mixes, gourmet chocolates and frozen cakes, beverages, cereals, granola bars, soups, candles and organic skin care items and more, all at shockingly low prices (like all their other items). I usually got my pumpkins here too, as they were always in better shape and bigger and cheaper than anywhere else around. They also have a lot of Xmas items come December, including adorable advent calendars with chocolates (for under $2!) but their fall/Thanksgiving/Halloween pumpkin items really are exceptional in selection and scope and price.
-they always have lovely greeting cards, and for at least the last 15 years, they've been 99 cents each. Wow.
-they have a robust selection of flowers and plants, some cut, some potted, some in seasonal planters. Healthy and cheap!
-they also have some cute wine bags in their wine area, and these bags cost 69 cents each. Why go elsewhere to get wine gift bags for double or triple this price (even at Fred Meyers, I priced wine gift bags at $2.99 and more).
-wine. They always had a super wine selection - and some of their wines win blind taste tests every year. And they're all for a steal! (I noticed now they also have liquors and spirits. This is fairly new. They didn't used to have liquors).
-they have a station in the back where they cook their products and have samples for customers to taste. Today they were sampling their roast beef with horseradish aoli sauce. So good, I picked up a jar of the aoil. This is how they get you.
-they're known for their organic skin care and pet treats.
-they're also known for their large selections of olive oils and vinegars.
-I used to buy all my produce here. They were all fantastic and, like everything else, priced so low.
-they don't have sales at TJ's. You can be assured that the items you buy today won't be on sale next week. They're all priced at an everyday low price.
-there are always a ton of employees on the floor and available to help you find items, and they are all super knowledgeable about their product lines. And I've only known them to be friendly and helpful.
-their ready-made salads have always been a huge hit with my family, and their frozen food department is wonderful.
-their bathrooms are always clean.
-oh, and one more thing that many people don't know about TJ's: you can ask to try anything before you buy it, and they will open the box for you to try. AND if you get something and don't like it, you can return it, opened and "used", and they'll refund you, no problem, no question asked.
I know this review is lengthy, but I really am so impressed by this store (and all TJ stores), as their business model and customer service philosophy is unrivaled (on a par with Costco and Nordstrom). These businesses really put the customer first, and make the shopping experience top-notch. And there are no surprises: the store is consistently excellent, regardless where you shop. read more