End of Summer Quarter Opening

"luvithere" posted to Trader Joe's Fan today that a lease for the Green Hills store has been signed and that we should look forward to an end of Summer quarter opening!

That is actually better than I expected, based on the "before Thanksgiving" timeline previously given, so I hope it is true.

Meanwhile TJ's Corporate still sends mixed messages to fans that ask them for information. Someone emailed me today to ask if TJ's was really coming to Nashville, because when she inquired about whether they would have wine at their Nashville store, she received this message:

...We appreciate your suggestions and enthusiasm regarding opening a store in Nashville, TN. We regret to inform you that at this time we have no confirmed plans for a store location in this area...

Much thanks,
Nicki
Customer Relations

I've also had real estate folks from East Nashville contacting me about getting in touch with TJ's, so don't give up hope, Eastside peeps!

The Philippines?

How cool is it that someone in the Philippines is Google-ing "trader joe's nashville"? We've gotten lots of visitors from all over Europe and the US, but I just think that is neat-o.

New Trader Joe's Nashville "Community"

Well, I have continued to google "trader joe's nashville" just to see what pops up. I'm always curious about coverage because the statcounter to my blog shows interesting geographic patterns sometimes. (And, hey Whole Foods Corporate and TJ Corporate, don't think I haven't noticed you. You're welcome here anytime.)

The other day I did my search and did a double-take. What is this Trader Joe's Nashville link I see?

Well, it turns out an individual we'll call "Joe Nashville" (simply because that's all I know) decided to create a community for those who love Trader Joe's in Nashville.

Of course, I joined.

Here is a description for the social network:

"A community of Trader Joe's fans in and around Nashville, TN. Come share, discover and discuss the wonderful things that make shopping at Trader Joe's neighborhood grocery an adventure rather than a chore. "

It's a pretty small group so far and also a bit quiet. Won't you join and liven it up?

P.S. While the CURRENT url is http://traderjoesnashville.ning.com/, Joe wants me to pass on that he hopes to spend the bucks to get that "ning" removed at which point you would need to look for http://traderjoesnashville.com/ (but not yet!)

Trader Joe's in Chattanooga? -update/correction

Shortly after the announcement that Nashville was getting a Trader Joe's, I got an email from a friendly, yet envious, fellow named Jay Craven in Chattanooga lamenting the "grocery store desert" in which he lives. I suggested he start a petition.

Well, someone named Jason Kelley did and got more than 1000 signatures in a week! It's at 1447 as of this post. I signed just a few hours ago (my folks are from there) and I was number 1362.

I think his petition will have to end up being one of the top 25 petitions for petitiononline.com tomorrow because it is climbing really freakin fast.

Keep up the good work, Jason!

(My original post credited Jay with starting the petition, but he just contacted me about it).