Trader Joe's East End Friends

OMG!

2009-11-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

These have got to be the best store bought holiday cookies I've ever had!! They taste like home-made shortbread cookies with an almond twist. They are little sparkling (dusted w/crystal sugar) snowmen.

They are very inexpensive $4.99 per box. They make a wonderful last minute gift or a great teacher gift!

The box is the cutest thing! A sturdy holiday striped (reusable) box with adorable snowmen on the lid!

Need I say more! (get them soon - they sell out QUICK!)

MAYBE FRIDAY THE 13th WILL BE YOUR LUCKY DAY!

2009-11-10T14:53:00.000-08:00

Last call for any survey takers to win a free $25 gift card to Trader Joe's.

Here is the survey. If you already haven’t filled it out, please do so to qualify for the gift card.

How to enter:

1. Go to TJ’s fb group.
2. Click on Discussions tab
3. Click on topic Survey Prize – Enter Here
4. Leave your name as a post

I will be drawing a name at random on Friday, 11/13/09. The winner will be notified via facebook.

Joes Hawaiian Beads & A New Survey

2009-10-12T07:56:00.001-07:00

Another fun TJ's employee. His name is "Joe" (not that Joe). He is wearing the coveted Hawaiian Beads as he walks the floor greeting customers. Enjoy the beads now Joe - you have to pass them off when your shift is over!

As many of you know, our quest for getting a TJ's in Riverhead has become increasingly frustrating. The TJ's company feels that we here on Eastern L.I., NY cannot sustain (at this time) a year round customer base. How ludicrous is that!! I have made up a short survey chock full of questions that will help TJ's see that we are not kidding about wanting/needing our own store and how we CAN sustain one here.

Please take a minute and fill out the survey. (I've given TJ's exec's access to the survey answers)

Thanks!

Friendly Folks at TJ's

2009-07-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed my shopping expedition again to TJ's Lake Grove. Met some more of the friendly staff.

(pictured here Rob & myself).

Just a quick update - TJ's exec's from the East Coast & West Coast visited existing stores here on Long Island early this month. They also had time for a quick visit to us out on Eastern LI. It was a very preliminary visit to "approve" the area for a store. Well, we passed, but will not have a store any time in the near future. Atleast we are still on the list!! I was told to check back in with the Real Estate Dept. periodically to find out if there are any updates or changes.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

2009-05-09T12:41:00.001-07:00

My little guy loves Trader Joe's too!

Today's trip to Trader Joe's was a huge success and loads of fun as usual! They ok'd me to drop off some tear off sheets with the info for our Facebook Group promoting Riverhead, NY as a prospective location. I will do that soon! So next time any of you East Ender's (and surrounding Riverhead area's) are shopping there, let them know where you are from - get a promo sheet!!

Leeza - The Balloon Girl - a Lake Grove TJ's employee knows how to please my guys!

The employees there are always the best! How does TJ's do it? Is part of the interview a personality test?

Below is a another Lake Grove TJ's employee - Laura - who has been there for three years. She is handing out samples of their Triple Ginger Cookie Thins. These are scrumptious thin wafer cookies with a sharp, strong ginger flavor excellently balanced with a hint of sweetness. They contain ground candied ginger, minced ginger, and ginger pulp, as well as molasses and brown sugar. YUM!

YUM YUM YUM

2009-05-01T13:49:00.001-07:00

Vegetarian Mushroom Moussaka

3 large eggplants, unpeeled and sliced into thin 1/4-inch rounds.
2 trimmed leeks which are available bagged at TJ's, chopped (makes about 3 cups chopped).
1 10-oz bag sliced Crimini mushrooms
1 24-oz jar Rustico Southern Italian Sauce
1 tsp cinnamon
1 packed cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup Freshly Shredded Parmesan

For the sauce:
1 cup yogurt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup Freshly Shredded Parmesan

1.) Salt the eggplant slices, making sure both sides are lightly covered, and place in a colander. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes, preferably 30.
2.) Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the leeks for 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute for an additional 3-4 minutes. Add the sauce and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer and then remove from heat. Stir in the parsley and Parmesan.
3.) Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Rinse the eggplant slices and pat dry. Brush the slices with olive oil and then spread the slices on two baking sheets. Roast in the oven for about 15 minutes until the slices look softened.
4.) Reduce the oven to 375 degrees. Oil an 8x12 or 9x13-inch baking dish. Place two layers of eggplant slices in the bottom and then add the mushroom sauce on top. Cover with the remaining eggplant slices (another two layers).
5.) In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, nutmeg, and Parmesan. Pour this over the top of the casserole and spread evenly over the top.
6.) Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let it rest 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 6

recipe from Cooking With Trader Joe's

My Best Buy of the Day (Trip)

2009-04-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

I'm back!! And in my opinion, the best thing I got from the entire trip was the TJ's Dark Chocolate Wedges (70% Belian Cacao) With Ancho & Chipotle Chiles & Korintji Cinnamon. A cute little tin of wedge shape chocolates that you can pop in your mouth and savor the flavor - but on the finish - watch out!! The ancho & chipotle's kick in!

I've eaten half the tin already.

Have to share my story from my day trip. Did my shopping and was at the check out. Of course I felt the need to voice my angst about still no Riverhead, NY store as a bunch of items go toppling out of the cart. (which turned into 2 carts on the way out after bagging!)

The gentleman at the register got me so excited by telling me to send him all the info on my Facebook group (called Trader Joe's Riverhead NY Location Request Group) and after he got approval from the Captain and 1st Mate (manager & ass't manager) he would give out the info to the people who came from such as distance as I to help our cause! I left the store reknewed with hope about furthering our endeavor.

After loading the car (coolers and all) and was getting in the drivers side, lo and behold, here comes my friend the check out guy - PUSHING MY SECOND CART OF GROCERIES!! In all the excitement, I fogot it!! Imagine I drove my 60+ miles home and hour and change later and didn't have it all!! Not to mention I need the stuff for a party this weekend!

I told my friend "Just one more reason I love Trader Joe's!!"

Hi Ho - Hi Ho - It's Off To Trader Joe's I Go!

2009-04-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

And yet another day trip off to Lake Grove, NY.

When will TJ's give us a Riverhead, NY store!!!!!!!! I'm glad the price of gas has gone down slightly...

Ok all, send me your lists - anyone else want to go??
See you later today (much later).

Where Does Trader Joe's Rank Among It's Competitors..

2009-04-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

click here to see article by Consumer Affairs

click here to see article by Biz Journals

click here to see articles by Hoovers

Picture of Dan Bane
Trader Joe's Chairman & CEO

Trader Joe's Culinary Compendium (flyer)

2009-04-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

click here to see the latest TJ's flyer

Eat at Joe's

2009-04-10T04:11:00.000-07:00

By Emily Hite
“What do you do with quinoa?” It’s a good question—one of several overheard by Wona Miniati in the aisles of her neighborhood Trader Joe’s store that inspired the recipes in Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s, co-written with Deana Gunn. The grocery chain, founded in 1967 by Joe Coulombe, ’52, MBA ’54, has introduced once-exotic products like mangosteen and mole poblano sauce into kitchens across the country. In recent years, the store has expanded its offerings to include a wider selection of produce and meat in addition to what Miniati, MBA ’98, calls the “gourmet, unique items you can’t find anywhere else.” The recipes in the 272-page book make use of the grocer’s signature pre-prepped items to create impressive meals in just about 10 minutes, and even include wine-pairing suggestions. The accompanying website, cookingwithtraderjoes.com, offers substitution ideas for items that are out of stock, unavailable in certain regions or discontinued (hint: Israeli couscous is a good quinoa stand-in.)

click here to see/purchase cookbook

Trader Joe's Virtual Store

2009-04-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

click here to experience the new "Trader Joe's Virtual Store That Still Does Not Sell Anything" website design

Trader Joe's Twitter

2009-03-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

click here to TJ's twitter
click here to Cooking with TJ's twitter

Looking For Work? - Trader Joe's Can Help!

2009-03-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

click here for a complete list of TJ's jobs
click here for TJ's Job Forum

2009-03-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Our main goal (but not limited to) for this blog is to further our cause for getting a Trader Joe's here in Riverhead. We are just getting started, but you can expect to see cool links to anything Trader Joe's related. i.e. recipes, news, pics, etc.