5 reasons this Brevard mom needs a Trader Joe's (2024)

Dear Trader Joe's: Please set up shop here. We, er, I, need you.

TJ, you need to realize something:You need me. More than you know.

I promise I'm everything you're looking for. But so far, you don't seem to notice. So I'm going to have to spell it out for you: It's time you got serious and move to Brevard.

No,I'm not a crazy ex-girlfriend trying to woo a lost love. (Really, no need to cue the soundtrack to "Fatal Attraction." At least, not yet.)I'm talking about Trader Joe's.

Yes, it's a grocery store. But I've got it baaaddd forthe California-based chain, which offers unique items, organic fare, cheap wine and more.

I've known about TJ's for years, having shopped there a few times in other cities. But I really got hooked in the past couple months. An impromptu visit to one in Scottsdale, Arizona, made me realize I need to work it into my regular shopping rotation. (I love you, too, Aldi, but I need more.)

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Unfortunately, Brevard doesn't have a TJ's, though two have popped up in Central Florida in the past year or so.One's in Winter Park, another in Orlando, near Universal Studios. Both are aboutan hourlong trek from Rockledge. So, yeah, it's a day trip. Or at least a half-a-day trip. Going to one with no other plans in the area is at least a three-hour time commitment.

Just last week, my daughter had a doctor's appointment in North Orlando. There was a TJ's within minutes. I couldn't resist the siren call.

While that works, I want more. Because I'm certainly starting to look like I have, um, issues. (Or does everyone buy15 bags of frozen cherries and edamame?And use two carts?)

I found some inspiration via co-worker and How to Adult bloggerJessica Saggio, who recently shouted out to Wawa, asking why there were all kinds of plans for the popular gas/convenience store in Central and South Brevard but not the north end of the county. After she posted on her blog about it, the chain reached out to county officials to talk about it. Now, it's on Wawa's "priority list."

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So, I'm totally stealing from Jessica's playbook.I reached out to Trader Joe'scorporate peeps. And my little heart has been crushed. TJ's doesn't want us. At least for now.

"At this time, Brevard County is not in our 2 year plan of opening a location," wroteAlison Mochizuki, who handles the company's public relations."Trader Joe’s presently has 453 stores (17 stores in Florida) in 41 states."

Mochizuki couldn't elaborate on how TJ's goes about considering a new locale. (I've evenrequested a store in the area via their website. Feel free to do that, too, attraderjoes.com/contact-us/location-request.)But I still thought I'd ask. I know I'm not the only one with a TJ's hankerin'. (Last year, food and dining writer Suzy Fleming Leonard wrote a piece on what restaurants readers dream of on the Space Coast. Trader Joe's eked in there, and it's not even a sit-down joint.)

So, I beg you, Trader Joe's. We need youin Brevard. (Particularly, I envision oneat the Avenue Viera, but I know I need to just chill and pray for one somewhere in the county's 72-mile-long stretch.)And here's why:

1) Good stuff at a good price.It only took me four decades, but I'm finally making better food choices. Yes, I'm scarfing down fruits,vegetables, lean meats and trying to steer clear of as many processed foods as I can. Every time I set foot in a TJ's, I can't get over the reasonable prices and selection. Who'd have thought I'd get so excited at the sight of cauliflower rice and chopped Brussels sprouts?

2) I can't be lugging my cooler all over Central Florida. Yes, it's part of my strategy, given Florida feels like a sweat lodge mostof the time. I keeptrying to cram all my purchases into the darn thing in my trunk, but there's just not enough room to properly transport purchases. Especially when I add ice. It's a race to get home before frozen food melts and refrigerated goods start feelin' and lookin' funky.

3) It's fun for the whole family. Little carts make even the biggest anti-shopper come around. At least for 15 minutes. (And we'll take it.)Even if he looks like a madman about to kill his mother and be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dateline."

4) Staffers there (from what I've experienced)are friendly and helpful. There's something to be said for good customer service. I'm not always in the mood to chat, but having a courteous, happy person wait on you sure beats your cashier completely ignoring you. I've had cashiers at other retailers not even make eye contact with or speak to me, despite ringing up my groceries. There's no"hello," "thank you" or even a statement to tell me what my dang total is. (Yeah, I know I can see what I need to choke up, thanks to the screen next to the credit card swiper. But it would be nice to have"Hello, My Name is (Whatever)"acknowledge I am alive — and spending money in the store that employs her.)

5) Three-buck-Chuck.Like wine? Pick your poison, for only $3 a bottle. Since introducing the Charles Shaw brand 13-plus years ago,TJ's has sold800 millionbottles.(No comment on how much the Paulson family has contributed to that bottom line. Let's just say, Grandma buys them by the case. But we don't judge. Especially since we help her drink it.)

"These award-winning, super-value wines are blended and bottled just for us in Napa, and shipped virtually around-the-clock to Trader Joe's stores across the country," according to traderjoes.com.

While it's not my primary purpose for patronizing TJ's,I'll admit I like to stock upduring a visit. It comes in handy when needing an impromptu bottle for a host. Or just because I have children.

Paulson isFLORIDA TODAY's Momsense columnist and the editor ofSpace Coast Parent,FLORIDA TODAY's free monthly parenting magazine.

Contact Paulson at 321-242-3783

orspaulson@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @bysarapaulson

Facebook: /spacecoastparent