The lady in front of me at Whole Foods brought all recyclable bags for her groceries. One was from Trader Joe’s. My canvas bag has been confiscated for the present by Jim for his balloons. So I didn’t have a bag but did ask her how she lives without TJ’s. She manages when she goes “home” to the west coast to get what she needs.
When my mother was in hospice, we used our lunch hour one day to pick up my favorite sponges and scrubbies and a big wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano to take home. TJ’s will never come to Utah, simply because of the draconian liquor laws. A local brewpub brews beer, sells it to the State and buys it back to sell it from the restaurant. And I thought NY State was bad!
I miss TJ’s. I went there all the time and would start my shopping at the wonderful fresh market next door for wonderful fruit, valencia oranges and peaches and satsuma tangerines. Then I’d go to TJ’s and finish my shopping at the grocery next door, anything I couldn’t get at the other venues. Their cheeses are wonderful, the wines inexpensive, and cereals and pastas are also tasty and inexpensive. Sometimes I’d buy frozen rack of lamb there. And their pop-up sponges are incredible, and scrubbies in mesh packs that work on non-stick pans.
Lately my moving wish list includes an office and two-car garage during snow/hail seasons. If we move out of state, TJ’s may have to be on that list! Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 