To follow-up on the rumor, we sent an email to Trader Joe's and here is what they said:
Sloopin,
We appreciate your inquiry. We are still expanding, but at this time we
do not have any confirmed plans for a location in this area.
Sincerely,
Amy
Trader Joe's
Customer Relations
Not exactly a confident confirmation of the rumor, but I guess they didn't flat out say no. If I had to handicap whether or not this rumor is true, I'd say there is about a 10% chance it's happening.
If you read the last comment of our old post a reader writes:
Spoke with a sales agent for the property management company today (I emailed in an inquiry on the location), most of the area has been leased to a "restaurant" but he couldn't say who/what because negotiations are still under way.
We peaked into the building and there still is a lot of 'restaurant' looking furniture inside and it has been moved around a little (presumably to do some maintenance/renovations within the space).
So that's the update. We will keep you posted if we hear anything else.
Thanks for breaking my damn heart.
ReplyDeleteTranslation: we aren't touching this location with a 10-block pole.
ReplyDeleteThese rumors seemed a little dubious to begin with, so I am not surprised. Looking at their list of stores, it almost seems like they have a policy of no more than three stores per city. Seems odd in the face of so much demand for the store, but perhaps they're just expanding smartly.
ReplyDeleteSo I actually "know a guy" who was pretty specific on this. TJ generally focuses on one location(in Chicago) a year and this ain't our year. But he said 2011 is "very likely" our time.
ReplyDeleteif i were running this blog i wouldnt post anything related to rumors. This is a needless topic to discuss until someone from trader joes officially announces something
ReplyDelete"if i were running this blog i wouldnt post anything related to rumors. This is a needless topic to discuss until someone from trader joes officially announces something"
ReplyDeleteyeah, apparently FGFM is running this blog, so you should take it up with him.
Trader Joes tend to be in the heavy yuppy areas that doesn't have a lot of unwanted traffic. This is just fact. Go ahead FGFM argue this, but the fact remains that Roosevelt and Wabash/state has a lot of unwanted traffic. Yes, I know it is the city but the El brings in a lot of unwanted people, making running a business difficult. Just look at the areas Trader Joe's are currently in, Gold Coast, LP, and Linclon Square. A south Loop Location would do well, but who wants to put up with the hassles of the area around Roosevelt. If anything, Further up on Roosevelt and Canal, away from the El stop would be a more desireable location. Look at the Jewel on Roosevelt!!!! THe Dominick's on Roosovelt is better IMO. The jewel looks rundown and the produce there has been picked it. It is a heavy traffic area, almost too heavy to it's own detriment.
ReplyDeleteAnyone with two eyes and a brain could tell you that this is the LAST place a business prone to shoplifting would ever set up shop. The "shadiness factor" is extremely high at this location to being with and the people standing all along the wall outside the eL stop waiting for the 12-bus look like the lineup you see on America's Most Wanted.
ReplyDeleteIf "people in the know" are so certain that a restaurant is coming to this locatio, then why is the 'for lease' sign still affixed to the building?
ReplyDelete"If "people in the know" are so certain that a restaurant is coming to this location, then why is the 'for lease' sign still affixed to the building?"
ReplyDeleteBecause until funding goes completely through they still are leaving their options open. and part of the space is still available for lease (about 2000 sf)