Trader Joe’s likely to open store in Mandarin

[thelakelander]

By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

Trader Joe's appears to be coming to Mandarin.
Documents filed with building plans show the California-based grocer wants to open in Claire Lane Center at 11112 San Jose Blvd.

It would be the second area location for the popular chain, which bills itself as a neighborhood grocery store with food and beverages from around the globe.

The first opened in 2014 in Jacksonville Beach.

The Mandarin site is at Claire Lane and San Jose Boulevard, south of Interstate 295.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549255

[fsquid]

Are the demographics really there?

[edjax]

^^ I would most likely say yes or doubt there would also be a Whole Foods, Fresh Market and Earth Fare opening also. Between the demographics and the easy access off 295 for west side, etc. it opens up OP, Fleming Island etc to these stores without driving all the way to the beach.

[fsquid]

^^ I would most likely say yes or doubt there would also be a Whole Foods, Fresh Market and Earth Fare opening also. Between the demographics and the easy access off 295 for west side, etc. it opens up OP, Fleming Island etc to these stores without driving all the way to the beach.

good point

[edjax]

Just hope this doesnt adversely impact Native Sun, our own local  non-chain store.  I am sure Whole Foods already put a damper on their Mandarin store.

I think they do pretty well.  In fact they have expanded this store since Whole Foods opened. It is difficult to find a parking spot on some days.

[benfranklinbof]

That Whole Foods isn't doing so well. It's not up to par. Just wait until they cut it in half because they're stuck in their 15 year lease. They will probably turn it into a 365 store, which is their new concept. I think they're just waiting until the new store opens in 2021 at the beaches.

[brainstormer]

As someone about to move to the NW corner of St. Johns County, I am ecstatic about Trader Joe's being just up the road. I think the demographic is definitely there for Fresh Market, Earth Fare, Trader Joe's, Native Sun and maybe even Whole Foods to all do just fine. As Mandarin and Julington Creek neighborhoods evolve to include younger homeowners, there will be demand in that part of town.

[MusicMan]

For some reason TJ's is allergic to the hip urban core. 

Someone want to 'splain that to me?

[fsquid]

For some reason TJ's is allergic to the hip urban core. 

Someone want to 'splain that to me?

they have a strict demographic profile that an area must meet before they will put on in a location.  I'm assuming the urban core just doesn't have enough people that meet some threshold.

[FlaBoy]

If you see them end up in the Urban Core, it may be on the Southbank one day after we have seen some more development down there in a place like the District and access to the San Marco crowd.

[remc86007]

I'd rather see Native Sun open another location in the urban core than TJ's. TJ's and Fresh Market are largely interchangeable in my opinion. I'd bet that the massive Fresh Market in Brooklyn has a lot to do with why TJ's isn't in the urban core.

[benfranklinbof]

I don't understand why there is so much hype over Trader Joe's. I went there once and I'll never go there again. It's all packaged old product. I don't go there just for cookie spread.

[coredumped]

For some reason TJ's is allergic to the hip urban core. 

Someone want to 'splain that to me?

The urban core doesn't even have a publix, I dont think it's ready to support a subset of the grocery market (which is what TJs is). Unless you're talking about riverside, then I think it would do fine.

I don't understand why there is so much hype over Trader Joe's. I went there once and I'll never go there again. It's all packaged old product. I don't go there just for cookie spread.

I agree with you, I've been twice (both times out of state) and didn't get the hype (much like wawa). Nothing much to see there, except for neck beards and skinny jeans.

[benfranklinbof]

Trust me I'm not missing out...
Most of their produce items are packaged and there are barely any local items.
They're apparently a neighborhood store, but they only care about selling their consumers cheap, old packaged items. Most of the items appeared to be from other countries. I guess that's how their prices are so cheap. I'll spend the extra dollar somewhere else. <--Just my opinion
I don't shop for convenience or bargains.
I shop for quality, variety and local items.
Sorry for my little rant.
I try to support the little guys over these big corporate grocery stores.
I do enjoy grassroots and native sun. Both of them carry a lot of local and organic items.


I hope native sun does well on San Jose. That's a lot of competition on that street.

[Adam White]

Trust me I'm not missing out...
Most of their produce items are packaged and there are barely any local items.
They're apparently a neighborhood store, but they only care about selling their consumers cheap, old packaged items. Most of the items appeared to be from other countries. I guess that's how their prices are so cheap. I'll spend the extra dollar somewhere else. <--Just my opinion
I don't shop for convenience or bargains.
I shop for quality, variety and local items.
Sorry for my little rant.
I try to support the little guys over these big corporate grocery stores.
I do enjoy grassroots and native sun. Both of them carry a lot of local and organic items.


I hope native sun does well on San Jose. That's a lot of competition on that street.

A lot of their stuff is from other countries, but sometimes that's what makes it good. I noticed you mentioned that items are "old" on more than one occasion. Maybe I'm a bit thick, but what do you mean by that?