Trader Joe’s, the grocery store chain headquartered in southern California, opened its first Utah store this morning in Salt Lake City.
The over flowing parking lot of the 4th South Family Center just off 6th East didn’t seem to dampen shopper spirits. They were greeted with the traditional fake Hawaiian lei (lay) as they shopped in the new store.
Jackie is from Ogden. “Well I work in Salt Lake but I brought my co-workers down to go shopping for the first time at Trader Joe’s. It is a big deal, I’ve been waiting four years for this place,” says Jackie.
“Today I’ve got sweet potatoes that are only…like fingerling potatoes, just like one and a half to tw inches long and just things you can’t find in the other grocery store,” said Portia who lives in the neighborhood.
Jim from Syracuse also works in Salt Lake, “yup, the sourdough cracked wheat bread and then my wife's request was the pecan pralines.”
The live music in front of the store came from The Drum Labs. Trader Joe’s has a reputation for its variety of products including fresh produce, low prices and cheery store associates, known as crew members. Murals in the store are painted by store employees and feature familiar Salt Lake City and Utah landmarks. The store is open from 8 am to 9 pm every day. Going there without your car is a great idea at least until the crowds thin out a little.
