I guess East Nashville is willing to travel...

A few months back, I started a second petition to encourage TJ's to choose East Nashville for their next location. I officially abandon that project. For one, only a little over 300 folks signed it; pretty far from a mandate. Second, there is the Turnip Truck...

Last night I went to the Turnip Truck (hereafter, the TT). My visits are definitely less frequent since TJs came to town. As I walked the aisles, I recollected the day that Ian and I visited the TT for the first time. It was on a visit from Chicago in 2002 after we made an offer on our house. We were very excited the TT was there, but we were shocked by the prices. I find that feeling returning. One of the items (frozen chicken nuggets--I can't remember the brand) that I explicitly went to get last night--and ended up not buying--had gone up in price at least 60 cents to $7.59! I already thought they were expensive before, but they are so yummy, the splurge seemed worth it in the past.

So I walked out with four items: muesli for Ian, baby cereal for Reed (she'll be starting on solids this weekend), bacon, and salsa. If I wanted to, I think I could find good/passable substitutes for all of these items somewhere else easily. The store was pretty empty, although Friday nights are not a big grocery shopping time. I left wondering how business has been for them since TJs opened. I almost always run into someone I know from East Nashville when I'm at TJ's.

I have definitely never been able to afford to buy much at the TT in the past. I don't know how much the TT relies on a bunch of folks like me buying a handful of items every week or so. I thought I would continue to buy that handful, but I realize that I am going to have to be intentional about it in the future. I'm certain the TT would be impacted even more if TJs was in the neighborhood.

So, to those who expressed concern to me about the Turnip Truck's welfare, I now agree. I hope they survive these economic times and the competition that TJs represents. I will do my best to give them my business, as our budget allows.

Come on East Nashville

So H.G. Hills located at 615 Gallatin Pike is closing in May and they claim not to have a tenant yet. There have been rumors of an Aldi's, but I haven't heard it in a confirmed sense.

This is a prime time to for those of you who want an East Nashville Trader Joe's to contact Trader Joe's and let them know that there is a great location ready for them to move in.

Yes, I know, they don't have a distribution network set up (from what I have heard all they need is a warehouse in Atlanta and a few more solid nearby vendors). Yes, I know that the area we lovingly refer to as the 'hood isn't their typical first step into a new market. Whatever. It doesn't hurt to try and to get as many of our voices heard as possible. The more folks they hear from, the more likely they will give it a look.

So, I know I've been gone awhile. Thanks to those that are still subscribed. I haven't abandoned this, but it has been back burner for a number of personal and work related reasons. Let's see if we can't get some more traction with this new development!

Let the Battle Begin: What Part of Town?

Yeah, I want it to come to East Nashville. But I what I NEED is for it to be close enough that I can dare to buy frozen foods. Holy smoke, I miss those little frozen quiches--Prelude to a Quiche, I think it was called--and they better still carry them WHEN (no, ifs here, buddy!) TJ's comes to Nashville!

Based on the way I have seen TJ's enter a market, they are likely to set up shop in the wealthier suburbs in a strip mall type location, often near an already existing competitor like Whole Foods or Wild Oats (or in our case, I would say that category includes Harris Teeter).

To me, this would suggest that the following areas are the most likely contenders: Cool Springs, Green Hills or Franklin.

There are some other possibilites such as Hillsboro Village, Brentwood, Belle Meade, and even Hendersonville, but I think they are second tier candidates.

I do think East Nashville could be in the running for a subsequent store. This effort started in East Nashville, and I think that says something.

But I don't know everything. What do you think?

Where should we publicize this petition?

Let's make distribution of the Tear Off Posters and Palm Cards a priority. Where do you think they should go?

Over the course of the next week, I plan to saturate the East Nashville and Inglewood area businesses and the Vanderbilt Campus with these things. I've got general ideas like Green Hills and Hillsboro Village, but would love specific suggestions.

Where else should they go? I have lots of "propaganda" already printed and ready for distribution.

I would love to make contact with folks like those from Nissan that have lots of transplants to the area in order to help you spread the word at your respective locations.

I'd also love to touch base with folks in some of the outlying areas like Franklin, Cool Springs, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, etc. (please take no offense if your area wasn't listed!) to see if you could do some simple distribution in your area.

I'm also hoping to get a press release out this week. I've already touched base with a couple of reporters, so we'll see.

We've gotten over 600 signatures in 6 days. That's pretty cool!