Even the NIMBYs couldn't be against a TJs!!! But I think that store would be way too big for Trader Joes, the aisles would end up being way too spacious.

Yeah, that's my only gripe about TJs...they're stingy with aisle space, don't think 2 carts can pass each other.

The building could be partitioned to be give TJ's less square feet. They could put a self-serve laundry mat in the rest of the space.

Shop for groceries, wash your clothes, sip coffee, pick up some smokes, have your eye glasses repaired, and do some banking all in the same shopping center.

I also believe TJ's would help bring more people into this center, and that could be good for Save Mart. I've seen several other locations where a TJ's was adjacent to a major Grocery Store, and it all seemed to work out just fine for everyone.

A TJ's would be nice.

Sign me up. Trader Joe's has become a staple for me for various reasons. One, the healthy selection, two, the international variety of goods, three, the laid-back impeccable service and most important, the free trade coffee :-). There is a sense of "doing the right thing" at Trader Joe's and it is a matter of supporting a company that seems to have high moral values.

Does anyone know what we can do to encourage Trader Joe's to come to Auburn?

The last rumor I heard was that they were waiting on approval from Germany, but that was months ago. They were planning on opening in the mall across from the Dodge dealership. My guess is that the economy iced the deal. You can't really fault a company for being cautious, but I don't think that Trader Joe's would have anything to fear by setting up shop in Auburn. My only concern is that if they are close to Hwy 80, the store would always be packed from all of the Bay Area folks loading up on viddles before heading up the hill. And like some of you have already pointed out, TJs floorplan is like they think they are still in Germany.

My HOPE would be that Trader Joe's establish a store within the Auburn City Limits.

Trader Joe's would be packed. How many of us go down to Roseville for our "Trading" :-) They would have the Grass Valley/Nevada City folks also. Maybe Gottchalks is a better idea. The rent is bound to be cheaper and yes Grag, it would help the city coffers. They need their share. I am happy to see them fixing up downtown Auburn. It really is the "heart" of Auburn

Trader Joe's had turned down many "opportunities" in Auburn. I'm doubtful, with the current economic conditions they will come here in the next 2 years.

We would welcome them with our local dollars, but many business are not expanding, given the uncertainty. Many business are also experiencing credit crisis similar to what happened when the first stimulus happened and banks are not going to lend, unless the government buys them and lends it for them.

JoeCO? Really? Then more of those undesireable people from the south will come to our little town bringing more traffic. Oh, then they might want to move here when they see how nice it is and we reallly don't want that, then there is even more "growth" - next thing they will want a CostCo. It will be all downhill from there. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Gail - Have you noticed the outrageous priceiness (maybe a new word?) at Save-Mart? Maybe I've been bargain shopping for too long but Raleys seems to be better overall in cost and quality. I would love to see a more "friendly-conscience guided-green" crowd here. I am so sick of the just-because-I-said-so-with-no-rational-reason-hater-types that I am afraid of becoming one :-)

Observer, As a long time TJ's fan I have have noticed the sharp rise in prices over the last few years. Some items that attracted me to the store now cost more than at our local Raley's.

Greg, As much as I like TJ I think the building is too big and too close to Save Mart to make it profitable. May I suggest a Laser Tag Arena.

Chuxx - Gail would probably appreciate a skating rink. I am new to TJ's so I am still in the honeymoon phase. Perhaps my view is tainted.

Trader Joe's is good. Room for Chipotle or Jalisco Grill, too?

Raleys is more expensive than Safeway or Save-Mart and I shop both places, a Trader Joe's would be a nice addition, as the selection is good, and where else are you going to find 2 buck Chuck!

We have been discussing this for at least 4 years. (remember when the city council

dressed in Hawaiin shirts)

In the economic climate we are in currently, I really don't think traders joes will

be expanding to Auburn. I guess we shall contineu to drive to Roseville.

Trader Joe's is not inexpensive anymore, less a few items. Do not be fooled by fashion, their prices have gone up significantly in the past couple of years. I enjoy shopping at TJ's and would like to see one here but it's not going to happen. There is not enough support in the future US economy. It's not just that prices have "gone up" either - the dollar is weakening. From my experience Raley's is far more expensive than SM, but the fact remains - food prices will continue to rise while the dollar does not. Be prepared - the economy will get far worse before it gets better. The Stock Markets are temporarily fueled by the printing of more US money which is creating inflation. The price of everything will continue to rise.

guys, we have to stop sending our dollars out of the country. TJ's is a german owned corp. Every $ you spend there makes us poorer. What we really NEED is a Placer County Food Coop that encourages local producers for the local market and buys imported foods (fair trade coffee, chocolate, wine etc)at bulk wholesale prices & creates LOCAL profit to be spent on predominantly local goods/producers. TJ's is always small to keep overhead low. A local Food Coop could start small as a membership buying club to take advantage of bulk buys and CSA's, reliable orders allow local producers to grow/expand & as supply is increased, so can membership. Where will we shop when the dollar crashes & the cost of trucking foods doubles/triples food prices. We need successful local ranchers, dairy, grains, bakeries, veggies, fruits, and other food artisans. We have to support them exclusively so can continue to feed us through the end of dollar hegemony.

Yes, a skating rink in the Gottschalk's building. But Auburn did have a rink for a while in the 80's and it didn't survive. I think you can only have one per so many miles and population. Darn. The rink in Stockton closed recently, too. :-(

Do you people not know where the REAL price bargains are? WINCO wins hands down. I kid you not, everything there is literally a third to sometimes half...yes half...the regular prices anywhere else. I dare any of you to go there to see. A name brand loaf of sourdough bread that might cost $4.25 at Raley's is always $3 at Winco, a pound of butter is always $2.32 and the list goes on and on. Some say their meat is bad, but I get a really nice tender flank steak there for $4.98 a pound (not on sale) every week for our fav. Sunday dinner recipe. And their bulk section is to die for. I can't make pancakes out of any other flour now, the regular kind you get on the shelves is always stale. They have such a high turn over in the bulk section it is always really fresh and makes the fluffiest pancakes and waffles. I am now an addict. LOL

I dare you people. If you wanna carpool with us, we are down there skating 4 days a week. Come tag along....hey skate with me! ;-) The money we save at Winco helps us to make the trip for my kids' skating practice.

BUT I am sure there is something evil about Winco. So fill me in, please. ;-) Who owns it? Where does the money go?

Mom - Yes,yes,yes. I remember when we had a co-op at the end of the Livingston Bldg. What ever happened to that? Count me in. Where do I sign up?

My son is a big Winco fan. I will wait until someone tells me the dirt on Winco (if there is any). Birch will be home soon. Bet he will know if there's anything.

Observer: I KNOW has to be something wrong with Winco, it is just too cheap for it not to have some kind of communist connection or something.

Probably just the exploitation of somebody. Birch is really tired from his all-day political speeches and question & answer thing for the students at Del Oro High School. I think I will give him a break. I am so proud of him and his efforts. :-)

ChuxxR,

It would be a great to have a laser tag arena in Auburn, but the building might still be too large for that use.

It's always been my belief that Raley's/BelAir is the most expensive place to shop in the Auburn area. I like Save Mart, and even if a Trader Joe's was right next door I would still buy many items at SM.

Gail, you're right about Winco. They are the cheapest place to buy food in Placer County. My daughter bought a 12volt DC refrigerator for her car that she uses to keep her food cold while she does all her other errands. She shops at Winco in Roseville and enjoys their super-low prices, but she isn't always ready to run directly home to Meadow Vista. The small frig works well and allows her to use her time better when she's in the Roseville area.

momof11,

I do like your idea of a Food Co-op. We have our little Saturday morning "farmer's market, but I realize this isn't what you're talking about. A true co-op would be even better.

So, how do you get one started?

I am hearing lots of good thoughts. Keep you eyes and ears open over then next few years!!!

Dr Bill Kirby

Dr. Kirby,

I would hope that all residents of Auburn would shop within the city limits. If we want to help our town we need to stay out of Bowman and North Auburn when we go shopping, and put our tax dollars to work here where we live and where they can do the most good.

How about a Trader Joe's that lets us roller skate down the aisles, and has a play area with laser tag for the kids? There is room for all of it!

Gregcalac:

I agree about shopping in the City Limits of Auburn. Many people think the tax revenue from the Bowman area and the 49er corridor stays locally but that is simply not true. Only a small portion of the tax revenue from those areas is used locally. But there are many items that cannot be purchased locally and we are working very hard behind the scenes to improve the retail mix in the city and give our citizens more choice.

Dr Bill Kirby

jayber,

You should be commended for your great idea!

I think we all know where we'd find ChuxxR in a store like that. Laser tag would become a full-contact-sport once he gets in there.

And, Gail Begin could be seen skating backwards past the frozen food section on her way to the dairy case, wearing a big smile of course.

I'd be over by the ice cream. ;-)