Never been in a WF, but have been in TJ's, both here and in SoCal, where they began.

The ones in SoCal have so much more to choose from and are as ubiquitous as 7 / 11's.  The ones that have sprouted up back east are half the size with half the selections.  The ones in SoCal do have many values and bargains.  They are more of an over priced novelty back east than anything else.

yes, TJ is in a previously empty location at one end of an almost new upscale strip mall/shopping center.  The funny thing is that across the street in the rest of the "Quarry" shopping is the Whole Foods.  Better parking but so much more expensive!  If I'm buying healthy food, I figure I should have to walk a bit to get there.

yes, TJ is in a previously empty location at one end of an almost new upscale strip mall/shopping center.  The funny thing is that across the street in the rest of the "Quarry" shopping is the Whole Foods.  Better parking but so much more expensive!  If I'm buying healthy food, I figure I should have to walk a bit to get there.

They never build, they only occupy previously built locations. And yes, they are often in places where parking is a challenge.

They're notorious for finding tight undesirable locations, I don't think any of them are very spacious. The one in Spokane was sort of roomy.

What about Treasure Island?  That's one of Chicago's Very Own™ classics!  And the only place I know of where I could pick up a gallon of locally-produced goat milk, a loaf of Natural Ovens bread, a decent vintage Château Margaux and Pate De Foie Truffle (I know, redundant, but that's what the label said) all in one stop? 

went to Trader Joe's for the first time now that they've opened here.

Couple of observations:

Prices on the things I bought (only a few) were comparable to HEB.  Maybe a little bit more, but it's all organic.
The gluten free items were dispersed with the regular food, unlike most stores where all the gluten free is put in one place.  I like that.
BAD location - parking is severely limited - to the point they had someone directing traffic telling people they'd just have to wait until someone came out.
It's S M all small.  The checkouts were literally up against a wall so that when you were done paying you literally had to squeeze out. Barely enough room to push a basket through there.
It's closer than I thought it was.

I was wearing my RP shirt and the checkout woman asked me about it.  Of course I went off about how wonderful it is.  So maybe a new listener and donator for B&G.

thatisall
 

I have shopped at TJ's almost exclusively for years.

I think I can speak for both of us when I say that there isn't a great deal of spatial pressure in Eastern WA.

They're notorious for finding tight undesirable locations, I don't think any of them are very spacious. The one in Spokane was sort of roomy.

BAD location - parking is severely limited - to the point they had someone directing traffic telling people they'd just have to wait until someone came out.
It's S M all small.  The checkouts were literally up against a wall so that when you were done paying you literally had to squeeze out. Barely enough room to push a basket through there.

I have shopped at TJ's almost exclusively for years.

went to Trader Joe's for the first time now that they've opened here.

Couple of observations:

Prices on the things I bought (only a few) were comparable to HEB.  Maybe a little bit more, but it's all organic.
The gluten free items were dispersed with the regular food, unlike most stores where all the gluten free is put in one place.  I like that.
BAD location - parking is severely limited - to the point they had someone directing traffic telling people they'd just have to wait until someone came out.
It's S M all small.  The checkouts were literally up against a wall so that when you were done paying you literally had to squeeze out. Barely enough room to push a basket through there.
It's closer than I thought it was.

I was wearing my RP shirt and the checkout woman asked me about it.  Of course I went off about how wonderful it is.  So maybe a new listener and donator for B&G.

thatisall
 

Fixed.

I'm Shatnered by your insensitivity.  You'll be hearing from my attorney.

But nobody could tolerate being around you. Wait...

holy shatner.

I need to learn how to be uberhypersensitive, there's probably a good living in it.