I really like the Capitola Trader Joe's. As is standard with all Trader Joe's, the store is clean and well-organized, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and the food is good. This one is also very conveniently located in a strip mall with lots of other decent shops and a branch of my bank, and it's across the street from the only mall in the area, so I always get to cross a few things off my to-do list when I come here. Multitasking/productivity = good. Thanks, guys! read more

I absolutely adore this Trader Joe's store. Though it can get pretty busy on certain days/hours, they are always fully stocked. Can't find something? Ask one of Crewmembers and they will bring you right to it. They seem to be very knowledgeable about everything from wine to cheese, from meat to produce. I've even gotten some wonderful meal suggestions from Val the demo lady! When I went in yesterday (Easter) to get some last minute additions to Easter dinner, a wonderful Crewmember helped me find just what I needed. Thank you Trader Joe's!!! read more

I give 2 stars only for their products. This store in capitola is consistent in being rude! I've experienced it with many checkers here, not just one! Why put your grumpiest employees with the customers? Last week the checker filled my bag so full (he did double bag it tho) that both handles broke when I picked it up from the counter to walk out. My groceries crashed to the ground and the checker just looked at me and started ringing up the next customer. A man from behind the tall counter came over and helped me, checker said NOTHING!! They never say "Thank you" when I check out! I spend a LOT of $$ in this store, what happened to saying "Thanks for shopping with us"? I feel like driving all the way downtown for my TJ's shopping. Done with this location!! read more

I really hate giving 1 stars to anyone because I know as an employee how much it sucks when you work for a place and someone gives you a bad review but I just can't not. I absolutely LOVE trader joes and all the incredible food and amazing prices but this is the second time in a row my boyfriend and I came to get dinner and when came to check out our cashier was not paying any attention to us and instead talking to a co worker.. I don't know the rules for employees here but every single job I've had that's been on the top 5 no's to do. Our cashier yesterday "Paige" was telling her co worker how she's still hurting today from drinking so much yesterday. Like you're actually going to talk about how hungover you are in front of customers?! We will never go back to this location. read more

This place is amazing! Everyone is so helpful. I ask someone for bread crumbs, he says "yea sure this way, so what are ya making?" Any other grocery store someone would have to be peeled away from what they are doing. Whatever they do for team moral is obviously working because the employees seem like a team and a family, and it's wonderful to be part of it during a grocery trip! read more

Love the vibe in the Capitola Store...I have been in many locations but have yet to experience anything close to how much this one ROCKS. The staff work there butts off AND are helpful, funny and downright awesome. The sample corner here comes up with some very yummy dishes. I have learned to deal with the frenetic parking lot, and it does not bother me enough to remove a well deserved star for Capitola Trader Joe's. read more

I love TJ's, don't get me wrong. But, I do wish they would carry more organic like New Leaf. I was there the other day and bought some fugi apples that were in the ORGANIC bin. When I got home I was looking at the label and it has a 4131 which is conventionally grown. I suppose this is my fault as I should not trust that it is organic even if it says so and looked at the label. But, I also feel that TJ's should put them in the correct bin. It would be nice to know that its one less thing for me to have to check! So when you buy fruit and veggies that have the organic sign, make sure they are organic. Now I have to make another trip back to the store to trade these two apples! :O( read more

Very convenient location, fruits are always fresh, and store is always well stocked. They thing that I don't like is the parking... it's always crowded I always end up parking across the parking lot. But still a great place to shop for groceries and yummi treats. read more

We just saw a woman who may have had a developmental delay get the most thoughtful, patient cashier. Thank you all for meeting people where they are at and being so kind in the process. read more

It is so much less expensive than Whole Foods. I do not like that much of the produce comes presorted in containers. You have no choice as to how much you get and it strikes me as very wasteful of plastic. The checkout lines have always been too long . . . but it allows you to do some people watching. read more

Excellent experience today. Great help from everyone at the store.My wife and I will always recommend this store to all our contacts. Excellent prices and great selection of healthy and nutritious products and customer support is always wonderful. read more

Man Trader Joe's is so cool. Only thing I miss and wish they had is Diet Coke ha ha but I know that is one huge corporation they are not going to get. The prices here are great, the employees so darn friendly and helpful. they have so many prepared foods like sandwiches and salads that are just so so good. The fruit and vegies are very well priced. I keep trying to get my brother to go to TJ's. I love the frozen stuff too...lot of good Asian stuff that are easy to cook right out of the bag, or you can add an ingredient or two to make it your own. This place sells healthy and inexpensive foods. Oh also, they have great deals on vitamins and their Ibuprofin is cheap! read more

Great food choices, great staff, great choices, and best of all...love the samples that give me new ideas for dinner and snacks!

I like the TJ's in Santa Cruz, but I LOVE the TJ's in Capitola. It's way less crowded than the SC store, the layout is a lot more easily navigated, and I find that the staff are much friendlier. It has more of a hometown feel to it than the other store; they make everyone feel like a regular. I always hope over here for a healthy snack and a drink during my lunch breaks and I can always find something new and delicious. Hooray for Trader Joe's! read more

I would have to say that this is the worst TJ's I have been to. The floor staff is so busy BSing with each other that customers have to interrupt them and ask to get things (like eggs). None of them ask if they can help, in fact ive watched customers get runover by employees that are more focused on getting where they want to go than the world (and people) around them. The most positive interactions i have had (over the dozen or so visits to this store) has been the young lady at the samples counter and TJ at the check out stands. read more

Super great. The staff is polite. The inventory is abundant. It's generally a family type environment. Meaning, lots of kids, and laughter. The staff will give your children stickers at the checkout. The shoppers will giggle if your offspring get a little wacky. All in all, pretty rad. read more

Yes, I'm a Trader Joe's Fan. This seems like bigger Trader Joe's than the one I was use to in San Jose. I like a lot of their food. I normally like to come here for our basic, milk, eggs and bread. But of course, I go in for one thing and come out with 5. Their food is organic and the prices are reasonable. I really like this place. read more

Love this place. Clean, friendly and well organized. Great return policy, so try something new. Flower section is fabulous and orchids are the best around-long lasting and re grow. Food samples are great and recipes are often available, just ask read more

Just became a new shopper of trader joes. I am actually surprised on the healthy food options and the low prices.

I really like this location. The employees are very friendly and the store is well laid out and easy to navigate. I always like the samples, of course. The main reason I do some of my shopping here is the price of milk and beer. I can't find cheaper prices of these items anywhere else. They have some nice seasonal items at good prices, too. I like the Fearless Flyer which gives me ideas for food products I may not know about. I'm glad I live close by and will continue to shop here. read more

Love this store, was introduced to it by my grandmother who is always good at getting the good deals! I always thought this was another expensive store, but its really not. Its just unfortunate that they don't carry everything I need which makes me have to shop at two stores instead of one. I love their vegan butter, use to be called soy garden. I'm not vegan and this butter is amazing! YUM. down side is its always busy with people, i started going at 7pm and the crowds have thinned out. Otherwise, I can hardly move around all the people and isle that I spend an hour an a half shopping for the few things I need. Oy. read more

Very nice people at the cashiers. They often make my day. Great food - friendly shelf stockers - kids mostly. Cheap cards! Vegan frozen dinners!! Thank you!! What's not to love except it's one heck of a crowded parking lot. lol read more

I like TJ's but you do have to be careful. The nuts are not always fresh. The mixed fruit/nut combos are terrible! The food handlers do not always use gloves. I see them using bare hands to handle food all the time. (at least in this Capitola store) The labels do not clearly state where the food is from. This is important if you do not want fruit etc., from Mexico or China. The restroom is not kept clean. Water (?) is frequently on the floor.It Is unsanitary looking and when you consider that the employees use this you wonder about the stuff they touch that you eat! However the prices are cheap and the staff so very cheerful that it feels like a good shopping experience despite the caveats above! read more

Parked next door to Trader Joe's to get some copies at FedEx. My battery died and I walked into Trader Joe's and asked the lady at the customer service desk if anyone could give me a jump. Within 2 minutes she found someone who gave me a jump and got me rolling. Who needs AAA when you've got Trader Joe's? read more

I love Trader Joe's but someone who works there sells the expired food to someone who sells it for a profit...is that legal or safe? But everything else about Trader Joe's is awesome! read more

This place is pretty cool! Well organized, friendly staff, good prices. The only thing that I've noticed needs improvement is there are quite a few items that aren't really good for you or healthy. I may have expected to much. But, I was under the impression that Trader Joe's sold mostly health food. Either way, i like the stuff that is. read more

Viv at the sample counter is very sweet. The stuff she makes is delicious! Dustin who works in the cold cuts section is always willing to help me find specific products in the store. He always helps with a smile on his face! read more

I have always like(d) shopping at TJ's. This recent experience was pretty negative, unfortunately. I found one item ringed up wrong. I went to the customer service desk and walked the staff ( I forgot to take note of his name) to the price and description sign. The staff said, "ok, I will give you the dollar back, but remember from now it is $5.99". Excuse me, I do not know that TJ's customers have to remember the items' prices rather than they have to put the correct signs! read more

Consistent and good quality food, overall. Fair pricing. Friendly and helpful staff. The sample portions are always generous and usually quite good little snacks. Very good return policy. Easy parking. However, they tend to discontinue products I like and get used to, which is unfortunate. I wish they had more Organic products. Best price to quality ratio of any supermarket, in my opinion. And consistent across the board at any of their locations, nationwide. Even their non-house brand products are better priced then at other markets. Its hard to complain without sounding like a spoiled first world brat, so i won't. read more

I really like this Trader Joes. The people who work there are really quite friendly and always helpful. Quality is always good and if something is wrong they fix it. I like this one in Capitola way better than the Santa Cruz store because it is nice and mellow. The SC one is kinda crazy down there and parking gets nuts. You also can't take your groceries out of the store in the basket because they have a anti-theft system set up in the Santa Cruz one. Easy to get into the Capitola one for something quick or for bigger buys. Great store! read more

Each time I shop here, a cashier makes me smile! I love the free samples here: they're much better here than at other stores, truth be told.

I have had nothing but great experiences in this particular Trader Joe's. The staff there are awesome, they always go above and beyond for me and my family when we shop there. The prices are great! They have food for decent prices for those with food allergies (gluten and dairy allergy.) Trader Joe's in Capitola (on Clare's St.) is the best one I have ever shopped at and will continue to be my first choice/stop when buying health food and yummy snacks/frozen meals/etc... The produce is always fresh and ripe...(and well priced, as well!) My kids and I love their Frozen Fruit bars (tropical flavor or strawberry.) The Spirutein (vanilla flavor) soy/pea/protein powder is out of this world and priced well, too! It is gluten/dairy free!! Yeah!! read more

I continue to go back to this store because of its staff. They continue to impress every time I enter the doors. The first time I realized that this Trader Joes was special was when I was shopping one day a couple of years ago and my cell phone rang, it was my mother informing me of the passing of my grandfather. After that news my groceries were the last thing on my mind, I proceeded to the checkout where I tried to compose myself before reaching the checker. Upon reaching the front of the line the nice gentleman manning the register asked me "how are you?" which of course brought me back to tears. I apologized and informed him I had found out my grandfather had passed while shopping. He immediately had someone help bag my groceries AND had someone get me a complimentary bouquet of flowers, as well as forcing the bagger to help me with my things to my car. He was so empathetic and exactly what I needed at that moment. Every little thing he did has stuck with me to this day and touches my heart. He even went out of his way to make sure I was ok to drive home, I couldn't have asked for more from someone. He could've just brushed me off and avoided the situation, but no, he went above and beyond to the point where I will never forget the generosity and caring of the employees at the Capitola Trader Joes. Each member of the staff has shown a great appreciation for their job as well as their customers, which is a huge reason for my continued business. Thank you Capitola Trader Joes!! read more

I wish they would carry more organic stuff and use less packaging on produce. That said, I love TJs. And nowadays as I'm trying to cook more from scratch and use less processed premade food I don't go there as much. However when it comes to getting treats and easy delicious and healthy foods to have on hand when we are too busy, stressed or sick to cook I like to have TJs frozen food on hand. Sometimes I feel like I'm eating take out the Thai, Chinese and Indian frozen appetizers and entrees are so good! Naggers are always friendly at TJs and I'm always grateful for that. read more

I love Trader Joe's. Great variety of products at good prices. The only complaint I have is a lot of their fresh produce isn't that fresh. But overall they get high marks for everything else. What makes shopping there so cool is that the entire staff is really friendly and they adhere to the "customer is always right". If I don't like a new product, they gladly take it back, even without a receipt. Most of the staff is super friendly and helpful, always in a good mood and eager to assist, which is one of the main reasons we go back all the time. They make you feel comfortable and special.Too bad so many retailers don't follow the lead from Trader Joe's regarding treating the customers like friends and family. I would rather shop where I'm treated well then somewhere that has really cheap prices but lousy service. Here they have good prices and great service. The only down side to shopping at this Capitola location is that parking can really be a challenge at peak shopping times--I've actually witnessed 2 parking lot accidents over the years! read more

Love Trader Joe's ! Shop there every week-great prices and healthy food choices. Have gotten great recipes there too. So happy that we have one in Capitola. read more

I got a large flower order from here to use as my wedding flowers. I HIGHLY recommend doing that if you can be flexible with what flowers you get and if you are working with a tighter budget. Everyone that helped me was great and I got beautiful flowers that I could afford. read more

I love trader Joes food its usually quick and convenient ( but could use some salt, pepper, spices etc.. it can be bland), its affordable and better quality than say nob hill. My only problems are being understaffed and always running out or being short of the chicken pesto vinaigrette wraps and some sushi. I feel like there should be two express lanes because when 7+ people are waiting in express its almost easier and quicker to go in the line with one person that has a whole cart of stuff. Parking sucks but theres nothing you can do about that. So bottom line, good food just get more!!! read more

Yes, parking is a hassle, but worth it when the majority of weekly groceries cost far less than what Nob Hill charges. Because of wasteful, grossly over-packaged, and overpriced produce at TJ's, usually stuck with NH or other stores, making two trips necessary Their snacks, prepared salads and fresh and frozen meals offer a nice break from the same ole' rice- and- vegies routine. But seriously folks, have you ever tried to limit your sodium due to health issues? Not possible with the majority of their product line. That said, love their salad dressings, all are top notch, with none of the gross aftertaste from cheap ingredients. Just don't plan on eating anything else with salt for the rest of the day! Their dairy selection and prices are the best anywhere. Love their low fat plain yoghurt and kefir. Best prices on Earth Balance and all other dairy. Great coffee and tea prices. Nice to walk in and find something new all the time, along with the tried- and- true essentials on my shopping list. Previous shoppers complained about the staff not being friendly enough. I disagree. What do you expect when entering a store staffed with young folks who do not make retail jobs their personal identity? They seem to actually have interesting lives with many unique characters?! Get real, come down from the clouds and really meet those hard working folks on a practical level. The staff bust their butts in a fast paced, physically demanding, often stressful job. They hardly need the customer acting like the store is a private shopping boutique, catering to their personal epicurean pleasure. If you want improved customer service, drop the customer belief of entitlement. They can't be bothered to expend energy toward the "special" shopper, when other customers have noticed what's real and are appreciative. And no, I'm not a staffer, now or previously. And one more tip; avoid the busiest shopping times as much as possible or forgo any complaints. We all know the drill by now...The 'lifers' on staff at chain stores hardly compare! Thanks Capitola TJ's. Glad your here! read more

I really like this trade joes. The people there are very helpful and today one of them came up to me and asked me if there was anything she could help me look for.... I bought five bags of groceries ( all organic) for just $150... Way cheaper then whole foods and just as good a quality. This makes it easy to eat well. read more