 |
| A rendering of a newer 13,000 sqf Trader Joe's |
So what about Trader Joe's? With a 5,000 to 6,000 sqf. store that they currently occupy in the Media Armory, they too may be feeling a squeeze. Typically these stores run in the 13,000 to 15,000 sqf. range and are built that way to take advantage of increased sales volume, while offering an ideal shopping experience. Trader Joe's directly competes with Whole Foods who recently built a store in Glen Mills that has a bar, eatery, culinary demonstrations and a lot of parking. Media's TJ's is not only vastly smaller than that Whole Foods , but is considerably smaller compared to a typical TJ's layout.
Ten years ago when Trader Joe's came to Media, it was a different company than it is today. It's bigger, expanding and looking to compete on a larger scale that now includes the need for bigger stores. With a lease reported to end with Media Borough in 2014 and no real ability to expand floor space or fix parking at the Media Armory, don't be surprised if this company starts quietly shopping around for a bigger location. An alternate location could very well be in Media, but for a new store in the 13,000 sqf range, there aren't many places where that could go in the borough.
Tedman
Any idea what is going on with the Granite Run Mall? It's a ghost town there, now CVS and The Children's Place have left as well.
ReplyDeleteOld Media Inn site?
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a bigger Trader Joe's. That store is so tiny, and many of the shoppers so absolutely rude that I refuse to even wear flip-flops in that store anymore - my feet have been run-over by careless shoppers more times than I can count. More space would make it far more appealing and perhaps I wouldn't have to try to get there at the butt-crack of dawn to avoid being maimed. That being said, Trader Joe's is my favorite grocery store for the price and the selection and I hope that if it does move, it stays in Media.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing, I always thought that it would make more sense architecturally and practically if the locations of Trader Joe's and Iron Hill Brewery were transposed. Think the IH building used to be a Thriftway back in the day and on the other hand IH seems to fit well as an adaptive reuse of historically significant buildings. The timing wasn't right though.
ReplyDeletephillyboy, go back to philly. Iron Hill would never trade places with Trader Joe's. No room to brew their brew. Did u ever see the size of their kettles? Where is everyone going to sit and lounge.
DeleteWasn't suggesting that that should actually happen. Was just a thought that crossed my mind a time or two.
DeleteHow about Trader Joe's goes to the spot that is supposed to be where the hotel is slated for?! It's a large parking lot at a busy intersection.
ReplyDeleteI am also dismayed to hear how Walmart and Target are legitimate grocery competition. The stuff they sell is not fresh, not local, and not in season. I think it further goes to prove that people don't care about what they put in their bodies, just as long as it makes them feel full and doesn't cost a lot. Sad...
What an ignorant thing to say Becky. Some can't affort the ideal diet of local, organic foods and are forced to cut costs by shopping at big box stores no matter how much they would rather support local, small business and be a little healthier at the same time. It's not a choice for some...
DeleteI agree, what an ignorant thing to say Becky. I care about what my family eats, but it is too expensive at the acme to shop there. I buy all snacks, cereal, bread, household stuff etc at Target as it is much cheaper than grocery stores. The acme is so much more expensive than Giant, so I buy all fresh stuff at giant and Gentiles. Also shop at Trader Joes as well, but in this day and age, I shop where it is cheapest.
DeleteBecky's comment is brought to you by Liberal Smugness.
DeleteRight on Becky,smug?Enjoy your Chinese peanut butter.
DeleteJust stating the truth is not ignorant.
Always like Acme shopped he others,Giant,Pathmark..
Media Acme though has less selection so Granite Run is my choice.
Trader Joes..never had a bad thing to say about em.Great staff and Qaulity store brand products...
I thought all of TJ's food was made in Canada or China, at least according to the TJ Food Recall PSA's that seem to go out every few months. That is right, the eggs are now from Pennsylvania after that huge fiasco last year. Local, organic AND cheap? Perhaps when your standards are questionable.
DeleteOh Becky. You must be so proud.
DeleteActually, I am with her on this one. I think everyone should shop boutiques for clothing, too. That's what they need in Chester - a delightful assortment of boutique stores. God help us if poor people from our area have to shop for clothing at discount stores. So sad. Have they no taste?
Becky made some good points. You get what you pay for. Sometimes it's just worth it to pay a little more to get something of better quality. Plus it patronizes the local businesses. For example, I'll pay the extra $2 or so to get a hoagie at Planet Hoagie or Primo's now and then. It's not elitism; it's la joie de vivre.
DeleteWhoa phillyboy why are you speaking FRENCH? You must be an elitist liberal academic who does not believe in God! (Did I get it right Anonymous commenters? That's how we do it here, right?)
DeleteAlthough I would love to see a much larger TJ's since I do 90% of my shopping there, I heard they will not be expanding anymore in PA due to the fact that they cannot sell alcohol in their PA stores, like they can in other states, and I'm sure that's how they make a large % of the profits. I would love to see something/anything replace ACME. It is the most over-priced supermarket. Last year it was on the list of America's top 12 worst supermarkets in America: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2012/04/13/12-Worst-Supermarkets-in-America.aspx?index=2
ReplyDeleteBoth Acme and Genuardi's were bought by huge out of state companies and they were both driven into the ground.
DeleteTedman,
ReplyDeleteMake sure these creeps on Media borough council understand these potential situations. They think because no one shows up to their meetings, everything is just peachy. Hopefully these IDIOTS read your blog.
A popular store like Trader Joe's would be quite attractive in Newtown Sq, Middletown and Concordville, and don't think they don't know that.
If only there was a way to open more than one store...
DeleteThe best deals are at COSTCO. yOU MAY have to buy a few more items than you need, bUT you can donate to the poor. When Acme leaves lease it to Costco. Easy to enter and exit at BEATTY ROAD AND BALTIMORE PIKE.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Trader Joe's would fit nicely where the current Acme is. The armory would be a nice location for another business.
DeleteTrader Joe's is expensive. And the portions are small. I love their food but can't afford to feed my family of 7 with their prices. I shop out of town at Walmart and Sam and Sam's meat market.
ReplyDeleteTrader Joe's is the only reason my wife and I still live in Media. It sounds a bit dramatic, but with Media's schizophrenic building codes and Delco tough guys attending every event, it has lost a lot of its charm. We previously discussed moving to Wayne if Trader Joe's leaves Media. Most people in our demographic feel similarly about Media, they may not move away, but there isn't a compelling reason to relocate here either.
ReplyDeleteIf your idea of charm is a Trader Joes store... you do belong in Wayne! Happy moving!
DeleteWho are DelCo tough guys???? Are we now being particular on who can and cannot attend the street fairs? That's pretty elistist.........
DeleteIf Trader Joe's is the ONLY reason you live in Media, then I hope TJ's does move and you leave with it. "Delco tough guys" attending every event? I grew up in Delco and yes some people from Delco are rough around the edges (as is the case with nearly EVERY place in the world!!) but deal with it. I bet you sing the praises of diversity all the time, but guess what? Diversity also means diverse incomes, educational backgrounds, and personalities, not just having an Indian, Thai, and Italian restaurant within 2 blocks of each other. "Isn't a compelling reason to relocate here" Have you checked real estate listings in the Borough? The bubble barely had an impact on housing prices and when a house is up for sale it's usually sold within a month. Seems like it is full of compelling reasons to relocate here for some people.
Deletethe acmes should become whole foods and/or wegmans. Trader Joe's is perfect just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteYou could turn that entire strip center over to Wegmans and it wouldn't be big enough.
DeleteYes, that's a great idea. Wegmans is so much better than ACME. Leave TJ's they way it is. Get rid of ACMEs and make them Wegmans.
ReplyDeleteWhy not a Super Wawa at the old Acme. There is plenlty of room for gas pumps and parking. I'd stop there everyday.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sin - I grew up with the 'Ac-a-me' and the A & P (dating myself), but consensus is correct they are waaayy expensive these days and do not differentiate themselves. Walmart and Target - ewh. Have you ever see the condition of their food sections? Although Target a bit better than the mart. Wegman's is the bomb diggety - do yourself a favor and take a trip over to the Malvern store. Price, selection and packaging make this the most cost effective AND healthy option and we need one here. I like TJ's - but can't get the same selection in such a small store and honestly what keeps me away is the parking. Don't talk to me about traffic congestion a super wawa would bring if you've never navigated the block between State, Jackson, and Monroe sts on a heavy shopping day - a golf cart wouldn't even fit there!
ReplyDeleteSam and Sams Chester Upland..prices and a well staffed check out...worth the ride.
ReplyDeleteGood news is wegmans is going up on 202 in chadds ford!
ReplyDeleteSeems Tedman has started a big rumor by posting his speculation!! Just because Acme has been bought by another company does NOT mean that TJ's is considering moving there!!!??!
ReplyDeletePlease, Tedman, and readers of this blog, do your research and stop creating drama and conflict over your own perspective/musings as if it's actual reporting. Sorry, but this blog is hardly news...it's more like a gossip column.
Tedman, a person who works in the GR Mall told me the mall has been sold, but there is a disclosure not to reveal the new owner's name. Could be local?
ReplyDelete