A long line of shoppers cheered as the opening-day ribbon was cut for the new Trader Joe’s store in Poway.
Store Captain Frank Bennett said he was pleased with the turnout on Oct. 30 considering the announcement about the opening was made only two days before.
“It’s a great turnout and the line keeps going” said Bennett, a Trader Joe’s employee for 28 years. “I could not be more excited to be in Poway and serving the whole neighborhood.”
This is Bennett’s third experience opening a new Trader Joe’s — his most recent was at the San Diego State University location seven years ago.
In Poway, he said the 10,000-square-foot store will offer private label exclusive products, locally sourced items and holiday merchandise.
“With more coming soon,” he said.
Maripat Lawrence was one of the customers in line outside the store at 13644 Poway Road in the Poway City Centre shopping center. Lawrence said she brought her daughter, Poway High sophomore Quinn Lawrence, 15, to the opening ceremony to the community.
“We’ve been waiting for a Trader Joe’s to open in Poway for forever and we’re excited to see the turnout,” the Poway resident said.
The Lawrences said they regularly shop at Trader Joe’s and like to find at least one new item to try each week.
“Everything’s delicious and there’s always something new,” Maripat Lawrence said.
Also waiting outside the store were Poway residents Bill and Roseann Blackburn, who live in Henderson, Las Vegas half the year. The couple said they usually shop at the Trader Joe’s in Carmel Mountain Ranch but they’ll like the convenience of the closer Poway location.
The Hendersons said they like to shop for a slightly different range of products than those available at the nearby Sprouts Farmers Market and Ralphs grocery stores.
“We like Trader Joe’s products, especially their fruits and vegetables are very fresh,” Roseann Blackburn said.
Delores Hernandez, a Poway resident of 35 years, said she will also appreciate the convenience of shopping at a Trader Joe’s in Poway instead of Carmel Mountain Ranch.
“I love their selection,” Hernandez said. “They have healthy foods and a lot of choices in all the departments. They’re stocked all the time so they never run out of things.”
David Mendez and his 2-year-old son, Micah, were among the early-bird shoppers who wanted to be part of the opening day ceremony. Mendez said he and his wife, Vanessa, along with their 4-year-old son, Arlo, like Trader Joe’s organic products, their prices and wide selection.
“I can literally walk to this store,” he said. “We typically go to the Carmel Mountain Ranch store but it’s too crowded. We were super excited when we heard about the Poway store opening.”
Even of the Volunteer Sheriff’s Patrol who were monitoring the crowd and handing out stickers to children said they were pleased to see a new Trader’s Joe’s in Poway.
“I’ve always looked forward to the Two Buck Chuck but I think it’s now three bucks,” said Volunteer Sheriff’s Patrol officer Bill Stevener, referring to Trader Joe’s popular Charles Shaw wines, which are now sold for $3.99 per bottle.
