The Trader Joe's here is definitely better than the one in my old town in California, but it still suffers from the same problems. The bread products are not fresh, much of the produce is only sold in large quantities and it's wrapped in plastic. The aisles are narrow and crowded, though, and the parking lot sucks. On the good side, the staff are usually friendly and chatty and the store is clean. The prices are very cheap, especially for tortillas, spinach, mushrooms, pizza crusts, tofu, and many fruits and vegetables. I can't disagree on the prices, but compared with Terra Organica and Co-Op the quality of the fresh foods are often lacking. In all fairness, this is like the Wal-Mart of "healthy" grocery stores, and I do not buy the canned / frozen items, which I know Trader Joe's specializes in. BTW, the Trader Joe's brand V8 (called Garden Patch or something) is the most vile concoction on earth: avoid it like the plague. This is not a local business, which I know concerns some of the patrons of the smaller local grocery stores. As far as I can tell Trader Joe's also does not buy from the local farms, either, which the other stores do very frequently. If saving money is your biggest concern, Trader Joe's is a good place to shop. If you want quality, there are better options in town. read more

Wish you were up in Canada!! This is so worth the drive to Bellngham - your grocery savings will cover the gas over! I was introduced to Trader Joe's from American friends and this is one of my favorite grocery stores - the perfect balance of cost and quality! Wonderful selection of cheeses, nuts, snacks, meat and produce. Nice atmosphere and fabulous quality (mmm, currently munching on my honey sesame almonds and cheese selection from there!) And all at Superstore type of prices... how can you go wrong? Solid 5 stars! read more

I ordered a lot of flowers for my sister's wedding through Trader Joe's and everything turned out awesome. Audrey was a joy to work with, she did everything to accommodate us being that we were coming from CA for the wedding! They had ordered us lots of flowers to choose from, so we got a while to pick through what we liked or didn't like so much. Everything was beautiful- the flower selection was amazing! Cannot say enough good things! read more

This has to be my favorite grocery store in the states. It was my first time there this weekend and I went APE SH!T in the store. Came out with 2 bag of groceries for 40$. Can feed me for a week or more and i cant wait to make another trip. I opened the bag of turkey jerky and it's so delicious. The people working there were also super friendly and helpful. Paper bags, they use paper bags...hell yeah! Why can't we Canadians ban the plastic and bring back the paper? Thanks Trader Joe's! Will be seeing you more often. read more

Oh TJs, why won't you officially open in Vancouver? Even with the Canadian markup, I guarantee you'll still be cheaper than Whole Foods. The lot is small, but I've never had trouble getting a parking spot and the store has nice wide aisles and cashiers that work fast. Trader Joe's and Costco is our one-two punch when driving across the border for a stock up (made so much easier by Nexus). I don't consider Trader Joe's a one-stop shop, I find their fresh produce a bit lacking and even though it's organic, I still don't trust American meat products. That being said, TJ's is the place to get basics and things you never knew you needed. They have so many unique products at great prices that you can afford to take a chance on a unique flavoured cheese (hormone free, of course) or a new sandwich spread (I'm currently using their garlic aioli mustard, which is great). I always stock up on their canned corn (sweetest I've ever had), smoked trout, and boxed Indian dinners as well. Their wine and beer selection is always great, and the staff are super helpful when you're clueless yet picky like me. Be prepared to spend a bit of time here-yes, the store is small so you can get in and get out quick, but there are always so many amazing new products to try! Next time I'm bringing a cooler pack so I can try some of their frozen offerings. read more

The best part of cross border shopping is Trader Joe's. I've been shopping here with the guy I am dating for 4 years now. Most of their products are gluten free and have very low sugar. Their food is made with less chemicals and fillers. The prices are extremely reasonable for what they are. They have the best brand of products. The store is medium size and gets very crowded with other Vancouverities on the same mission. It's like being on Commercial Drive...just across the border. It's hipster food heaven. Whenever I've needed help they have the best customer service and patience. My favorite things to get, in addition to the staples: cheese munchies (gluten free) coconut milk - This is the only brand that I've seen that has the regular milk as sugar free. mini brie cheese packs frozen macaroons fruit dried fruit skin care products Biotin chia corn soup natural tooth paste Quinoa brown rice pasta - gluten free and the cheapest I've seen anywhere. Olive Oil Popcorn - so addicting. My best friend steals mine a lot when he comes to visit. read more

*IF* I was grading purely on the store itself, this place would surely get 4 stars (demerited only for its garbage excuse for a parking lot). *BUT* because the employees here all act like they're so effing cool, I'm taking another star. The prices here are crazy low and you can get all kinds of dope snacks, but damn, homie at the register is all kinds of icy... read more

When I try to describe what a panic attack feels like to my less anxious friends I tend to use Bellingham Trader Joe's as an example that everyone can relate to. You are just trying to live your life, going grocery shopping, when suddenly you can't breath because there are too many people in your personal space, you can't escape because the isles are clogged by carts, and you experience constant fear that nice looking Canadian yuppy is going to knife you for the last box of everything crackers at any time. Cons: The parking lot is tiny. People can't seem be polite about common courtesy. Canadians take their time to pack their coolers with food items when a car is waiting to their spot. The isles are very small. The store is often very busy, and overcrowded. Popular items can sell out fast. Because you know, people must buy 15 jars of Organic Coconut Oil. As a business model products can be seasonal. That Salted Carmel Chai Latte Mix be gone next time you get to visit Trader Joe's. They also don't care all staple items like a normal grocery store. Pros: You don't need a six figure income to buy organic, or healthy items. The staff is helpful, and they seem to be happy to be working for the company. The items are unique. Who doesn't see the value of a company that can makes organic hummus made from beets, or honey sesame cashews? This is the place to buy beautiful cut flowers without breaking the bank. The prepared frozen food has an ethnic flair that I like. The cleaning products/beauty/vitamin product isle tends to overlooked. Tips: Avoid shopping on the weekends, or after 5 on weekdays. I like to go either right when they open and right before they close. Don't be afraid to ask the staff a question. Maybe listen to a guided meditation prior to entering, or take a deep breath. Avoid all Canadian holidays. If you are Canadian, and plan on going further south on your shopping trip, you may want to check out other Trader Joe's. read more

Trader Joes is a must stop shop when going to the USA. An exit past Bellisfair easy to find and lots of parking. We love coming here for groceries, it reminds me of Whole Foods but not "Whole Paycheque". Cookie Butter is a must buy, we stock up everytime. They even have Cookie Butter cookies yumm!! Trader Joes also has complimentary coffeee and samples in the back. The cheese and wine collection is awesome too!! Cheese for 5$ a pack? wow... Gouda, Brie, Blue etc.. Be sure to bring your own bag as they only have brown bags tooo The snack selection is great and so many natural, organic snacks too Sushi is not good though, very chewy and not good. But who actually buys sushi at a grocery store? Great place and customer service and work ethic is awesome :) read more

Sadly, my first experience at TJ's was an underwhelming one. Sure, the products are cheap but I was pretty turned off by this store in general. This location is TINY. I was expecting some huge mecca of organic grocery goodness, but I was disappointed. The produce was heavily picked over and quite a few things were out of stock all together. Even the frozen stuff was really slim pickins. The dairy and the beef are what saved this from a 1 star experience for me. The staff was really great, the lines moved quick when I went to check out - but other than that I wasn't feeling the amazing TJ love everyone so frequently rants about. read more

An organic lovers dream shoppe, Trader Joe's has incredible offerings at really great prices. In addition to organic foods I almost screamed when I found wheat and gluten free brownie and pancake/waffle premix for $2.99 each!! The layout of the grocery is awesome and there are so many neat things I couldn't resist buying. Had it not been for the wheat contaminant warning on their gluten-free bakery goods (um hello wheat free chocolate cookies) I would have divorced Choices Market and married Trader Joe's. read more

The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the parking situation. It's really ridiculous to have a store this popular in a location like this because there are like 30 parking spots and they are weird-shaped and if your car is bigger than a regular sedan, good freaking luck wedging your vehicle into a spot. The parking makes me cranky. The food, however, is outstanding and I have nothing but nice things to say about the staff. Whole30 is a dream with a TJ's this close to my house, and they have food that even pleases my kids. I wish they would bring the small carts back for the small people! read more

Trader Joe's is truly an amazing grocery store and should be on every Vancouverite's list during a Bellingham run. I've been consistently impressed by the quality of the trader joe's brand products. You will find all your Whole Foods staples here - great rice, grain and quinoa selection, most of the healthy cereal brands, a variety of almond and soy milk and a great range of curry sauces and spices. The dairy isle is fantastic as is the cheese and wine isle. The prices are absolutely ridiculous - a fraction of what I am used to spending on my groceries in Van. My love affair with Whole Foods is officially over! The staff couldn't be nicer. Friendly twenty-somethings around every corner offering their help and engaging in thoughtful conversation about food and recipes. Come early to beat the mad rush. read more

Mmmm, I love Trader Joes and this store is no exception. It's a little smaller than the one at home, but still great. Good beer selection. Managed to humiliate myself when the six-pack I was attempting to buy split and all the cans hit the ground. Thankfully the super cute cashier was gracious enough to help AND flirt with me. Will be back for phone number and/or groceries. read more

The food and price is amazing, as all the other reviews have mentioned. What is terrible is the parking!!! UGH! Go early in the morning, or go after dinner. Don't go on a Saturday afternoon unless you want to risk fender benders, frustration, and possibly mowing down people. The problem is that Trader Joe's likes to be smaller, and part of the neighbourhood. They aren't the type to take up residence in a large Walmart like building. I am sure this works at other Trader Joes, but all the Canadians (myself included) come down specifically to go to this store. They just don't have the space to deal with all us Canucks. They also will never be able to take root in Canada unless Canada allows grocery stores to sell alcohol. That's where a bulk of their profit comes from. If they lose that, and have to pay taxes and all that other international fun stuff, then they wouldn't make it. And it is such a shame. I love you Trader Joes. read more

A good store, certain items I can only get there or some products are just better than other stores ~ a different selection. Parking in a word, is terrible and it seems it's always really crowded. A great store if you don't mind shoulder to shoulder crowds and bad parking such that you never know if you will have to park on the street or not rather than the parking lot. read more

I fell on my knees and kissed the floor when I found this TJ's. I was considering moving here and had spent a bit of time getting lost.. typical visitor! They have everything you can expect in an y TJ's and slow paced Bellingham lifestyle. read more

I loved Trader Joe's when it first opened up, uncrowded great prices and decent foods. Their produce has always been poor. Often times i buy it and the Avocados don't ripen, the fruit is moldy within 2 days. my girlfriend bought hummus and the next day it had mold. Their milk usually goes sour before the due date. It has gotten so busy due to the Canadian influx that I can no longer stand/find it worth going there. It's to crowded. Maybe my frustration is more with the Canadians that frequent there. I have seen lots of people with 4 to 5 of the same items, which wipe out the shelves and I can't find what I need anymore. It is a frustrating endeavor. Parking sucks as well. read more

LOVE TRADER JOE'S!!!! People are lovely, the wine selections is tremendous... Prices are cheap - fair and the quality can not be matched anywhere. Love love love going to Trader Joe's read more

This is one of my favorite chain stores as it carries items I cannot find anywhere else. While I wish it had a less busy parking lot, by shopping here late in the evening or early in the day I can usually find a good spot. Their cool looking shopping bags rate highly with me too. Purchase price is around $1-$2 each and I use them everywhere else I go shopping for groceries! What do I like most about the food here? Lets see... 1) Wine selection! 2) Coffee selection! 3) Meat selection! 4) Cheese selection! read more

Went to Seattle for the day to see Thrice play (and whoa was it an amazing show), and we decided to stop in at Trader Joe's. I spent a significant amount of time in Nashville and Trader Joe's was always my favourite place to go for cheap, healthy, delicious groceries. So a trip over the border was not even slightly complete without stopping at Trader Joe's. We didn't know too much about border regulations on what to bring back with you after such a short period, and so after some iphone google research we picked up two cases of beer and two bottles of wine, some chocolate (because holy hell how can you not buy a freaking 8.5x11" BRICK of 72% dark chocolate for 5 bucks), a pound of delicious French Roast coffee ($7.00...seriously??) and some marsala simmer sauce, and then sheepishly called it quits. $40 bucks. For two 6 packs of new belgium, and two bottles of wine...$40 would barely cover it in Vancouver. Or you'd be buying Lucky lager, and two bottles of just okay wine) So the fact that we got all of that for so dirt cheap = happy girl. Anyway I was still nervous about getting over the border with alcohol after less than 24 hours, but we didn't get any hassles, and have been enjoying delicious New Belgium beer all week. Thanks Trader Joe's. Now please put a location in Vancouver. PLEASE. read more

The price you pay here is extremely reasonable to nourish your body with groceries that haven't been cultivated in poison. The ingredients used in their products are held to a minimum of the necessities. And for no reason at all there's an entire liqor store at the back. Nine out of ten people working at any given time will be high and friendly to help you out with any question you have. There's pretty much no reason to get groceries anywhere else. read more

As more and more once-unique American stores slowly infiltrate the north - Sephora, Apple, BB&B, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Bodyworks - the list of reasons to go south of the border gets smaller. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you're the US economy), Canada is unlikely to ever get a Trader Joe's because of the differences in food regulations - and as long as TJ is a US-only institution, I'll be making the trip down over the border. I love Trader Joe's. The selection and prices can't be beat, and it's a must-visit every time I'm in the area. I was delighted when Bellingham got a TJ's; it made it that much easier to completely fill my car with their chocolate covered peanut butter filled pretzel bites. You can also buy fancy alcohols at TJs, since they don't live in the dark ages and actually allow people to buy liquor wherever they'd like. The staff here is always friendly and understanding of the silly Canadians that will come in by the carload to stock up on treats, and very rarely do they ever laugh at me when I buy things in batches of 6 or more at a time. As a matter of fact, I DO need this much trail mix - thanks for asking. read more

Trader Joe's is amazing but I had a problem with the store manager that told me to put my mask on my nose, my mask was on my nose. Then continued while I shopped, made me feel uncomfortable. My son and I are brown colored, not sure if the manager is Micro racist. That's why I felt uncomfortable. This store is my main weekly store, I was shook and couldn't even finish shopping. The manger seen me at check out and continued to look. Not sure why my placement of mask on my nose was important to him, nor should it be brought to my attention if my nostrils and mouth were covered. Now, if this manager wants to get technical about CDC guidelines his beard needs to shaved to make sure the mask is properly fitted. That's my reason for one star. read more

I love Trader Joe's! Their wine and cheese prices are ideal for students or anyone trying to save money but who also enjoys a cheese plate with a glass of wine every now and again. Their frozen aisle is filled with inexpensive time-saver type meals and stuffed to the gills with oodles of tasty desserts. We refer to it as the "aisle of sin" and try to only buy one dessert. Key word is "try." I'm only taking off a star because the parking situation is crazy competitive. I might easily circle the parking lot up to three times before finding a spot. Then inside it can be crowded. Also the produce selection is just okay and sometimes a tad overpriced. Now back to things I love. Trader Joe's olive oil and balsamic vinegar are pretty much the best quality for the price that you can get. We were thrilled to find coconut oil there too the other week. They also sell delightful selection of crackers and dried fruit. Also for those new to the Trader Joe's experience, don't miss the food and coffee tastings towards the back behind the wine and cheese sections. Also in front of the wine and cheese section, they have a cocktail display up and it seems to be a new one every week. Its great for inspiration. read more

Just as nice as any TJs staff and friendly and keep the shelves well stocked! Great central location in town.

I love you Trader Joes. This store is always so bright and busy. And you can't beat free coffee! read more

Absolutely love this place!!! Love their food, their products, their prices. Staff are always friendly and helpful. Come early on the morning when they open or at night just before they close and they're not very busy at that time. Quick and easy to get in and out read more

Trader Joe's Bellingham is amazing. I was there when my mom called to tell me her brother passed away... I was a little spacey as I was checking out so I apologized to the cashier and told him why. As I was leaving, he gave me these and a hug. It was so sweet. read more

Trader Joe's - I was given these flowers by a wonderful cashier at Trader Joe's when he found out my Uncle just died. KINDNESSES - Grocery Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

I don't think there is a Trader Joe's on earth that isn't a complete zoo, but the staff at this location handles it well. The parking lot is a complete nightmare, however. Note to Disabled: Reasonably accessible, has its own parking lot, but PACKED morning, noon, and night. I love TJs, but the difficulty in parking and getting around in the store makes it impossible for me to go there unless I absolutely have to. read more

My only beef with Trader Joe's is that they stopped carrying the dolmades that I loved. Kinda like Costco, in that you fall in love with an item, and it's a roll of the dice as to whether or not you'll find it there next time. I still come here to get Indian Fare lunches. In fact, it's the only place I ever found them. So, every trip through Bellingham is a reason to stop at TJ's. Good prices on okay wine, if you're into that. read more

I love Trader Joe's. We buy about 80% of our groceries there. They're great for interesting and unique sauces and flavors. If you have time to browse the selection, you can think up something new and interesting to cook for dinner. Can't go wrong with their frozen foods, and one thing I like about Trader Joe's -- I don't need to scour every label to check for hidden high fructose corn syrup, MSG, hydrogenated oils, etc. read more

I have to physically stop myself from buying All The Things. Not only are there limits of what I can bring back to Canada, but I also am so tempted by the great prices. The in-store TJ brand is one that I trust for quality as well as value. I love that everything is well-labelled (as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, organic, etc.). To buy everytime: - Powerberries: chocolate-covered berry and fruit juice bits - Chocolate-covered peanut butter pretzels: they are salty, and sweet, and have a bit of a crunch. I have to stop myself from eating the whole bag. Other tasty things I've tried: - Pineapple salsa - Peanut butter cups - Spinach and artichoke dip (frozen) read more

Trader Joe's is my favorite grocer in Bellingham. Trader Joe's simplifies my grocery shopping because they select the best products for me, instead of making me sort out through repetitive versions of similar items. The staff is friendly, the quality of their products is excellent, the prices are right, and their selection is just perfect. It is definitely a much better grocery shopping experience than the regular large chains. read more

I am a huge fan of Trader Joes, and freaked out when we finally got one here in Bham! One complaint is that its really hit or miss. Theres some things that I am in love with, like their salads, their orange chicken, frozen edamame... ect. But sometimes I have tried new things and just have not been impressed. Another complaint is that a lot of their items contain "Modified Corn Starch" Modified??? no effing way am I eating that. I also wish they had more organic options. Besides that I love it! I always look forward to trying their tasting area in the back, because I love being able to try new things. Sometimes I have gone in and they have mixed things I would never even think of, rather then just serving one of their frozen foods. They also have a great wine selection, and have been very helpful in picking out wines in the past. Hint: I also love love love their reusable bags, they are absolutely the best, and I use them for everything! read more

I see a lot of people (Canadians) comparing TJ's to a reasonably priced Whole Foods or an organic Wal-Mart. Heh, funny stuff, but totally off the mark. First off, I like TJ's. But unlike Whole Foods or WalMart, it's far from being a one-stop shop. There are far too many holes in their product lineup for it to be. Many Americans who do multi-stop shopping trips go to Costco first (also not a one-stop shop), then TJs, then Safeway or Whole Foods or another all-inclusive grocery store to get whatever they couldn't get at the first two places. Yes, TJ's is reasonably priced. But most of their products are priced comparably to Whole Foods 365 product line. In fact, it's Whole Foods' policy to price the 365 products in line with TJ branded products (now don't go comparing Canadian WF prices to American TJs, that wouldn't be fair, now would it?). For Canadians, any grocery store south of the 49th is reasonably priced, especially for alcohol and dairy. Organic? Sure, but not everything they carry is organic. Just thought I'd point that out. Wal-Mart? Are you frickin' kidding me? What's good: - Fresh prewashed packaged greens. Kale, spring mix, lamb's lettuce, baby spinach, etc. - Nuts, dried fruit, grain. - Cheap to mid-priced wine selection, and $2+ Chuck. - Hummus!!! - Cheese selection is decent. - Staples like butter, eggs, dairy, packaged bread, peanut butter, condiments, etc. - Packaged meals are reasonably priced, rarely bad, rarely great. - Small quantities of just about everything available. Bad because lots of packaging, but great for smaller households (bachelors and couples). This particular store is crowded and insane, especially weekends and late afternoons. I do like many of their products, but not enough to make the trek down there from Vancouver. If I'm driving through the area or have other errands to run in B'ham, sure, I might stop by. Coming from San Francisco, I do miss having a TJ's a half mile away (also crowded and insane). read more

No complaints with this Trader Joes! The staff is helpful and friendly. The store is always clean, although I seem to always be there when they're in the middle of restocking right where I'm trying to grab something from. Very decent wine selection. read more

It's Trader Joe's and has great selection and great staff! Think twice before going in on the weekend. Wait for a week day if you can read more

This is my go to grocery store. If they don't carry something I feel forced to shop somewhere else. I mean who else sells such healthy food for the prices that they do? No one sells the numerous snacks, spreads and desserts that they do! No one. If you've never been to a Trader Joe's I highly recommend you check it out! Plan on spending an hour there on your first trip because you need to go down every aisle and you'll be oohing and awwwing at the many unique items that they have to offer read more

There are a few things at Trader Joe's that I will not buy anywhere else. The quality and price of certain things are incomparable. There are many other items I can live without, including meat, produce, and household items, which are low quality and not worth buying there. However, my list of things I can't go without has to wait for the weekdays, because trying to get in and out is a nightmare at this place. I have come up with creative parking solutions, or else I ride my bike if I don't need much. Things worth the trip...the basic marinara sauce (I think it's called Grandma's or something along those lines...cheap as hell, really delicious, with no added sugars), olive oil is a good buy, excellent cheap cheeses (especially the fresh mozzarella and the grated Parm and Romano blend)....among other good little treasures hidden around the store, but I can't give away all the secrets! Just beware....going there at the wrong time and especially on the weekends when it's crazy busy can leave you angry and remorseful. read more