; first time i've written online review. talking trader joe's at 7514 leesburg pike, falls church, va. mundane context: grocery place i've gone to maybe 50 over past 30 months, because it's closest. having had 14 surgeries, mostly legs, feet -- was in wheelchair, crutches. lately, add blood disease i have and cancer -- not supposed to drive, yeah, boring. my point is about that trader joe's store. so i'm not supposed even even walk. live alone, 69, no (living) family. had my run, is what it is. OK, trader joe's (above address) is a regular outing. partly for my service dog -- smarter, more polite than me (not a high bar), who survived both being thrown out in frozen MN words as a puppy, and (right after a pricy physical) had simultaneous body-part breakdowns 2 years ago (way pricier). has as much charisma as seen (and was media guy who walked around with charismatic types.) point: this service dog is a kind soul, never heard her growl. When we go to TJ's, never been a big deal. store staffers say hi to tTher, people ask if they pat her. she looks looks at me and i'm like, don't blame me they want a selfie w/you. except recently, when a TJ store guy ID-ing himself only as Troy -- wouldn't say his full name, but maybe he's like beyonce or madonna known by one name -- says we have to leave. because of dog, who was as bored by Troy as she is with most people. We all know anybody can pop up anymore enforcing policy you haven't seen from last 50 guys. (Geez, in hospitals it's SOP.) i explain circumstances, i just wanted to get eggs, broccoli, chicken, spinach anything -- and ok,, beer. nobody's perfect -- and hobble home. but there were at least couple TJ store guys standing around, silent. As Troy said leave, i think he also said don't come back. I get the aging thing, altho it's weird because million years ago was an ok athlete -- played some college/pro in minor sports -- and been in hospital, oh brother, couple dozen times in last couple-plus years. 8 year-old could beat me up at anything now. but it beats my contemporaries no longer above ground. i only bring up this dreary anecdote to throw in the mix with whether TJ's has great kim chi or whatever. Won't bring up (i'm ex-media) alleged union-busting practices german private company Aldi Nord, TJ's parent. no agenda, don't know if 1 person will read or what difference it would make. but i think people, even if in tiny way, should be held accountable. yeah, guess i'm a geezer -- and america, my take used to be more intolerant. so if there's a problem, ok, if not, don't hassle people just because you can. you get lucky, you live long enough to have all kinds of health problems, and get a kind, smart service dog. but, not religious as i maybe should be, until then just say, there but the grace of god go i. try to do the proverbial right thing. (not that i always have.) read more