October is a big month for Trader Joe’s. The grocer is opening several stores across the U.S., including locations in Nashville, Tennessee; Meridian, Idaho; Little Rock, Arkansas; Wichita, Kansas; Brick, New Jersey; Greensboro, North Carolina and Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The company is entering some states, like Arkansas, for the first time while others, like New Jersey, already have multiple Trader Joe’s.
So far this year, Trader Joe's has opened 17 stores across 14 states. In Episode 10 of the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast, Trader Joe’s president of stores Jon Basalone said the grocer is a growth company.
"We’ve been growing and we're going to continue to grow, but it's got to be in a controlled way. It's got to be in a very smart way," Basalone said on the podcast.
Inside Trader Joe’s: Meridian, Idaho
Trader Joe’s new location in Meridian, Idaho, is its second store in the rapidly growing Boise metro area. A recent study from WalletHub shows Meridian is the seventh fastest-growing city in the U.S., making gains in both population and job growth.
The store opened Thursday morning at 9 a.m. with a large crowd, a festive assortment of fall-inspired foods and a storefront adorned with pumpkins.
A display of haunted house cookie kits and Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s greeted shoppers upon entry, while associates welcomed shoppers and handed out free reusable bags.
Trader Joe’s, which is known for its affordable wines including "two buck chuck," displayed an end cap with two red wine selections geared toward Halloween.
The store has an extensive beer selection, including several brews from local and regional breweries.
A wide variety of the grocer’s private label products are fall-themed, with selections from pumpkin cheesecake and maple and sea salt kettle corn to butternut squash mac ‘n cheese and harvest-inspired pasta sauce.
An end cap comprised entirely of pumpkin butter was stacked high.
Similar to other locations, the store had a well-stocked floral section and full produce department.
