When I moved to Fullerton, I started Googling to see where all the stores that I regularly shop at are located. I’ve been a regular shopper at Trader Joe’s since I moved to the San Fernando Valley to go to college. I continued shopping there when I moved to Long Beach, and I expected to find a local Trader Joe’s in Fullerton. After all, a city with 126,000 people, a major university, a solid middle class and several upper-middle class neighborhoods would seem like Trader Joe’s heaven, right?
Wrong. There is not a single Trader Joe’s in Fullerton. The closest one, as far as I can tell, is in Brea (2500 East Imperial Highway). It seems to be a pretty good store. It get’s good reviews online, “Any Trader Joe’s is great, but the one in Brea, I have to say is very good. There is something about this store that makes you feel comfortable. Even when it is crowded, it does not feel uncomfortable or cramped. The staff is always very helpful and very nice.” There are also Trader Joe’s in Cerritos, Yorba Linda, and Tustin. But not Fullerton.
Why is that?
Trader Joe’s was started with the idea of attracting well-educated people, looking for something different and a little bit exotic, but with keen eye for bargains. Do Brea and Yorba Linda have more exotic tastes than Fullerton? Or is it our education level that has kept Trader Joe’s away? A certain Fullertonian addicted to Peppermint Joe Joes need to know!
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This is a good question. I have no idea why we don’t have a TJ’s in Fullerton yet… we should! On a similar note, why don’t we have a Veggie Grill in Fullerton?
Thanks for stopping by Mick! Maybe if enough of us complain/beg/plead the powers that be will build a Trader Joe’s here!
TJ looked into placing a store at Amerige Heights in Fullerton, but i heard Albertson’s being one of the anchor tenants leveraged them out. It’s doubtful they will open any more stores in the current economy, but having one in Fullerton or surrounding area would be great!
Thanks for that bit of info Rob. As an aside, how is “Amerige” pronounced? Can’t figure that one out….
There used to be a TJ’s on Placentia just south of Yorba Linda, but I think the neighborhood changed enough that it wouldn’t support it. That’s the store that moved to Brea. And it’s Am-er-ige (-ij)
Good to know Dan! Thanks!
A great location would be corner of Bastenchury and Harbor, across the street from CVS and at the old Longs Drugstore site that now sits empty. Great way to revitalize that dying shopping center.
That would be a good spot Kristin! I wonder if anyone from Trader Joe’s is listening?!