Update 7/10/2015
Trader Joe's is now coming to Williamsburg. Which, since we all know that Trader Joe's is among the best grocery stores in New York City, is amazing news for Brooklyn residents.
Trader Joe's is inexpensive, friendly, and often has free coffee samples in the morning. Which is only one of a million reasons why it's the best.
The new Trader Joe's will open at 206 Kent Avenue, between North 3rd and Metropolitan Avenues, according to Gothamist, though they haven't yet made it clear when.
Alliance Private Capital bought the property last January for $18 million, and plans to use it to build a 45,000-square-foot building which will have office space, retail, and a Trader Joe's on the ground floor and in the basement level, according to Crain's.
It's mind blowing how, but this will only be the second Trader Joe's in Brooklyn.
4/30/2015, 1:41 p.m.
Trader Joe's is so great for so many reasons.
For one, it's a place New York has where you can walk away without spending your life savings on groceries. Plus, there's just so much to get at Trader Joe's.
Regular groceries and pantry essentials are great to have and all, but you wouldn't have come to Trader Joe's if you didn't want to indulge yourself a little, now would you?
#TBH I went to Trader Joe's just this morning and walked away with two overflowing bags of groceries. My only regret was that I didn't buy those fresh flowers that I had been eyeing and meant to spruce up my apartment with. Oh well, there's always next time I suppose.
So here they are: the 8 rigorous stages of shopping at Trader Joe's.
1. You arrive at Trader Joe's
You roll up to Trader Joe's with a list in your hand and the confidence that you are not going to go overboard this time.
Although, your fridge and pantry are literally borderline empty, so getting a few extra items is technically a great return on your investment. You'll be eating like a king for weeks!
[anad]
2. You take a moment to smell the flowers against the front wall
Once you walk into the store, you never make it to the food immediately because Trader Joe's always has nice display of colorful, fresh flowers lined up against the wall.
Those flowers take away from your shopping for only a moment, as you ponder bringing yourself home a bouquet of flowers.
But if you're going to do that, it'll have to wait until the end because food is more important. Obviously.
3. You pick up the items you came for
Why did you walk into this Trader Joe's in the first place? Oh right, you had stuff in mind!
Fruit? Check. Chicken apple sausage? Done. Those frozen Indian meals that you like? Got 'em.
Hmm, what else is on this list? Hummus and pita chips, because this is the only place where you can get sesame-free hummus (thanks, allergies) without destroying your wallet? Yup.
You just can't live without those classics that keep you coming back to T.J.'s time after time.
[anad2]
4. You get distracted from your list by other, more fun items
You were picking up peanut butter and couldn't decide between crunchy and smooth when out of the corner of your eye you see it: cookie butter.
Bluebirds circle your head and hearts glow in your eyes as you rip it right off the shelf.
You. Have. To. Have. This.
You wonder if you should get this in place of your peanut butter, but at this point, your basket is weighing your arms down, so you throw both in. #YOLO
,5. You scope the aisles again
After that mind-shattering cookie butter discovery, you wonder what else you've been missing out on, so it's time to sweep the aisles once more and pick up what you left out.
So you pick up some tortilla chips, roasted red pepper and eggplant dip, guacamole, a container of chocolate espresso beans, and a bottle of Two Buck Chuck.
You don't need all of this stuff.Yes you do!
[anad]
6. You get in that long line to finally check out
One serious dilemma of shopping at Trader Joe's is that the line is infamously long.
It's not even a big deal though because it moves super fast, so no one thinks anything of it.
Plus, the good thing about it being long is that there's always that person walking around who will ask you if you need something else and will gladly get it for you while you wait.
"Ugh! Hurry up!" you think to yourself impatiently. It's not because you have anywhere to go or anything to do, but because you can't wait to get home and slather your new cookie butter on anything and everything in your apartment.
7. You pick up something while you're waiting on line
Trader Joe's always saves the best for last, as the store's best kept and most delicious secrets are always right by the checkout line. Product placement is so key, am I right?
Just as you thought you were done with Trader Joe's, you obviously weren't.
Is that sea salt caramel gelato you see? Just throw it in the bag!
[anad2]
8. You leave the store, only to realize you forgot something you needed
Just as you thought, you only waited on that line for five minutes and now you are free to enjoy your latest Trader Joe's purchases. Yet, your paper bags feel oddly lighter than you expected them to be...
Damn it! That's because you forgot that fresh mozzarella that you wanted!
Oh well, you'll just have to go back in and start over.
At least don't forget the flowers this time, eh?
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