Any grocery stores like Trader Joe's in Miami?

[Jess]

I have just returned from a trip up North and discovered the joys of Trader Joe's. Is there anything like that in Miami-Dade? I know we have Publix and Whole Foods but Whole Foods is seriously expensive and Publix is for the masses. Trader Joe's was cheap, organic and fabulous! Where do people shop that's like that?

[Blackford Oakes]

World Market is the closest I've to Trader Joe's here in FL.

Not sure if they're in SFL.

[Carlos Miller]

There's a World Market in Broward. At least there used to be. It doesn't come up on the store locator on their site.

But it's not a substitute for a Trader Joe's because they only have a small section where they sell food. They mostly focus on furniture and kitchen gadgets and glasses and plates. But I do like that store.

http://www.worldmarket.com/storeLocator/index.jsp

The closest to a Trader Joe's is Gardner's Market with locations in Coconut Grove, South Miami and Pinecrest.

http://www.gardnersmarkets.com/home.asp

[Jess]

Great tip, thanks Carlos. I just loved TJ's prices. A huge pack of cherry tomatos, $2.99. Same for blueberries. As much as I love Whole Foods and will shop there, it is so expensive.

[Carlos Miller]

Gardner's will most likely be more expensive than TJ's.

[Jess]

Man, we get ripped off here in FL. I mean, how is it that Chicago is cheaper for fruit than Miami??? We grow half of it down here

[Blackford Oakes]

There's a World Market in Broward. At least there used to be. It doesn't come up on the store locator on their site.

But it's not a substitute for a Trader Joe's because they only have a small section where they sell food. They mostly focus on furniture and kitchen gadgets and glasses and plates. But I do like that store.

http://www.worldmarket.com/storeLocator/index.jsp

The closest to a Trader Joe's is Gardner's Market with locations in Coconut Grove, South Miami and Pinecrest.

http://www.gardnersmarkets.com/home.asp

You're right about not being the same model. It does go off into other stuff.

I rarely ever got produce at Trader Joe's except a cheese or two. The reason I mention World Market was because of the wine selections, special cracker and other munchies hard to find elsewhere. Jess might also like the fact of all the imported English treats they sell.

I did try the store locator prior my post. Weird they don't have it working. I even tested the zip code where I shop and it couldn't find it.

[Jess]

English treats are always good!

I need a store that deals with food allergens. Publix has got really good with that but there is little selection. WF is great but $$$$$. Like, $4 for spaghetti, really?

I walked round Trader Joe's and it was fun! The staff wear hawaiian shirts, they give out free food, it is all reasonably priced with good labelling, they make their own wine... for a girl who hates to food shop, I fell in love with this place.

[Carlos Miller]

Last time I was at World Market, I bought McVities' chocolate chip cookies, which were my favorite when I lived in Dublin.

[Doug]

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite parts of living in California. If you think they're cheap now, you should've seen them 10 years ago! There is nothing like them that I've found anywhere else. Hopefully, one day they will open some stores in South Florida.

[GandJ]

Never gave it much thought before, but I guess I should feel lucky to live a couple miles from a TJ's.
I just assumed they were everywhere.


Glenn

[rtoledo71]

I think most people who come from the north/northeast bemoan that fact that there is no Trader Joe's here.

I honestly never found the appeal, but the store does have an amazing following. They must be doing something right.

[dylan]

Maybe you could check out Whole Foods, that is a pretty neat market, although I usually just go to Publix or Win Dixie.

[Doug]

I think the appeal is the combination of cheap and healthy. Very seldom do you find the two together.

[Jess]

I know Whole Foods, I shop there all the time. It's just sooo expensive.

Doug you're right, cheap and healthy is hard to find down here. Maybe that place the city tour used to stop in the Grove, Farmers Market would work.

[Doug]

That's a thought. I think it's a bit on the pricey side, though. I guess you can't have your tofu and eat it, too...

[Matt Meltzer]

I was actually just at Trader Joe's in Seattle today. Yeah a great store and I know we've discussed it here in the forums before, why there isnt one down here. My guess is the service there is too good and they don't want to soil their reputation by opening one in Miami.

Also, finding the right neighborhood would be tough. Coral Gables is the only one I can think of where it would work. The stores, while inexpensive, are generally located in upscale areas far from the less-desirable demographics of society. In Miami, it would be hard to open one in an area where it would not get overrun by poor people with 9 kids stocking up on imported frozen goods. So it may be an issue of not having the right location too.

My guess is we'll see them in Broward and PBC before we see them in Miami. Much like every nice, upscale American chain.

[rtoledo71]

I could see a Trader Joe's doing well in South Beach or just a tad North.

And I have to disagree with you on the locations Matt. In Boston, there was one right in downtown next to two of the trashiest bars to ever exist.


I agree with Coral Gables. Maybe even Coconut Grove, Brickell or Key Biscayne.

[GandJ]

I could see a Trader Joe's doing well in South Beach or just a tad North.

And I have to disagree with you on the locations Matt. In Boston, there was one right in downtown next to two of the trashiest bars to ever exist..

I think Matt is on target. Even those trashy bars in downtown Boston are not in cheap areas....if you're talking downtown.
Roxbury, parts of East Boston, parts of South Boston, Chelsea, ..yeah...they kinda suck....but not downtown.

Glenn

[Carlos Miller]

Trader Joe's would work in the Gables, South Miami, Coconut Grove, South Beach, Brickell, Midtown and Aventura.

Although I would love to see them open one up on Coral Way just outside the Gables which would also work.

Great wine and cheese selection. And I love the fact that the staff actually knows and recommends the wines. They will point you to the cheapest wine of highest quality.

I think they do regular tastings to give the employers first-hand knowledge.

Go into a Publix or Whole Foods or Fresh Market or Winn Dixie and ask for wine advice and you'll be met by a blank stare.

I used to buy the basil by the boxful for two bucks where it costs twice that for half of that in other stores.

And you can buy a nice block of high-quality Parmesan cheese for under five bucks.

And you can't go through the checkout without buying chocolates.

But some of the other items are hit or miss, especially the Trader Joe's frozen products. Not a big fan of those items.