Trader Joe’s reps touring Tri-Cities sites. Here’s what we know
Trader Joe’s representatives toured undisclosed properties in the Tri-Cities on Tuesday, July 30 — the most promising sign to date that the quirky grocer may consider locating a store here.
A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the visit, adding that it was unclear what specific properties the visitors toured.
A site visit is no guarantee it will opt to build a store here, but the visit is the first time the company’s interest has been confirmed to be looking.
Trader Joe’s tops the list of retailers Tri-Citians most want to see open a store in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland or West Richland. Trader Joe’s rumors periodically make the rounds, though the rumor mill has been inactive in recent months before springing back to life.
A Facebook page dedicated to supporting a Trader Joe’s in the Tri-Cities has been inactive for nearly two years.
Word that the Monrovia, Calif.-based company sent representatives to the Mid-Columbia this week was met with surprise and denials by developers or owners of the most obvious locations for a future store.
Those contacted by the Tri-City Herald either denied talking to Trader Joe’s or affirmed they aren’t part of its current plans.
A Trader Joe’s spokeswoman issued a familiar denial as well.
“We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country as we hope to open more new neighborhood stores each year. We do not currently have a confirmed location in Pasco, WA. We list all of the stores that are opening soon on our website,” Nakia Rohde, public relations manager, told the Tri-City Herald.
Trader Joe’s operates stores in Western Washington as well as in the Spokane area.
It is developing dozens of new ones, including two within reach of the Tri-Cities — in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and in Vancouver, Wash.
Other stores are pending in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sherman Oaks, Calif, Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Leesburg, Va., Raleigh, N.C., Santa Clara, Calif., Ladera Ranch, Calif., Pasadena, Calif., Palm Harbor, Fla. Springfield, Va., Sugar Land, Texas, Milwaukie, Ore., Chandler, Ariz., Reno, Nev., Coppell, Texas, Sparks, Nev., Sandy Springs, Ga., Northridge, Calif. , Santee, Calif., King of Prussia, Penn. and Greenville, N.C.
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