America's Favorite, Trader Joe's Secrets -Part1-

“Do you know Trader Joe’s?” my friend asked me 

when I just came here six month ago.

“Who is that? Is that a horror movie? A pizza shop or something? “

“ It’s a fabulous grocery store!” she said, but I was still unsure what it was.

It may be because, to me, a grocery store is not a fabulous place like 

a beauty salon, especially when I was working in Tokyo.

Carrying my daughter in my arms, I threw eggs, milk and bananas

in a basket at full speed. After I loaded the shopping bags onto my bike, 

I rode off as fast as I could.

The less time, the better.

At that time (and still now), as I didn’t have good housewife skills, 

I thought grocery shopping could easily be done at the nearest supermarket.

However, Trader Joe’s, frequently popping up in friends’ conversation, 

doesn’t seem to be a mere supermarket.

“It’s very cheap, and it tastes good.”

“I like it because it’s safe.”

“I don’t feel like going to the other store any more.”

“You’ve never been there? You must go. It’s fun!”

Trader Joe’s seems to capture all the mothers’ hearts.

OK, if everyone says so, I should try it.

I follow their advice to go early in the morning to avoid the crush,

I wake up early and change trains for grocery-shopping, 

for the first time in my life.

“ Oh, here?”

 The entrance is smaller than I had expected.

I thought a supermarket in America would be huge, like Costco or Walmart, 

but this place seems to be very small. Is it because it’s in Manhattan?

It’s still before 10 AM, I see a crowd in the store.

They push their shopping carts and already stand in a long line for cashers.

In the crowd, I repeatedly say “Excuse me” and “Sorry,” pushing my cart with my daughter, looking around, and going back and forth for an hour and a half. 

 (Yes, it definitely is my new record for staying at a supermarket!)

Now I see.Trader Joe’s is an interesting shop to change my image of supermarket.

First, I can enjoy shopping visually.

The packaging, eco-bags, pictures painted on the wall and even price tags --  everything looks very cute, cheerful and fashionable, not boring.

Is the concept Hawaiian or 
Caribbean?

I’m not sure, but it’s playful mood somehow like Disney World.

Next, the products are really cheap, just as rumored.

Uncontrollably, I put many things in the cart and go home with three big paper bags.

As everything is expensive in New York, 

I’m ready to pay about $100, but it’s only $60!

Wow, it’s almost  half the price at the supermarket near my apartment.

Finally, this is the most important. The food tastes nice!

The corn, labeled non-GMO, is really sweet.

I really didn’t have expectations at all, but even the frozen items are really delicious!

As I’ve heard many times that foods in America are very dangerous with chemicals, 

I’ve been grocery-shopping timidly since I came here.

To feel secure, I need to go to an organic store, like a Whole Foods Market, 

and pay  more.

But, without worrying about harm and money, I could enjoy daily shopping 

and cooking, especially having a child.

Most of Trader Joe’s items are non-GMO and organic. 

That is GREAT!

Safe, reasonable, delicious and fun!

I may go to Trader Joe’s again.

Even if I have to take train or cab, I think I’ll go.

Now I understand why a friend said she couldn’t go to another store anymore.




Just one shopping experience has made me a big fan of Trader Joe’s.

I think it is not too much to say that Trader Joe’s is an innovative supermarket.