Long Lines Expected For Grand Openings Of Trader Joe's In Colorado
DENVER (CBS4) - The long awaited opening of the first Trader Joe's stores in Colorado will occur Friday morning.
Three locations are set to open this Friday. One will open on 28th Street in Boulder, one near University Boulevard and Orchard Road in Greenwood Village, and another at 8th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Denver.
Long lines are expected and some mistakenly thought the stores opened Thursday. They were at the stores bright and early. Some were familiar with the grocery chain, while others wanted to see what all the fuss is about.
The new stores are large and airy. Fans say the atmosphere helps liven up the normal mundane grocery shopping experience.
"It feels like I'm on vacation," shopper Julia said.
Julia, who has shopped at Trader Joe's in California, already knows what she'll buy on Friday when the stores open --- wine and seasoning.
RELATED: Recommendations For Trader Joe's Shopping From An Avid West Coast Shopper
"The '21 Seasoning Salute,' I love to add to everything," she said. "And probably the 'Two-Buck Chuck.' "
The Two-Buck Chuck is Trader Joe's trademark wine, which was $2, but is now $2.99. The real brand name is "Charles Shaw."
"We have sold over 600 million bottles of Charles Shaw, if you can believe that or not," store manager Ruth Schaefer said.
The store at 8th and Colorado has a liquor department where lots of Colorado beers and wines and liquor will be offered.
"This is Trader Joe's and it's kind of like a shtick, is what I'd call it. They have this unique ambiance, they have this unique market," University of Colorado Professor of Marketing Clifford Young said.
Young says Trader Joe's has a cult-like following in virtually any city it builds in.
"They can go in and get inexpensive food that they consider to be good for the health, and good for the economy," Young said.
Still, Young says the addition of three Trader Joe's in Colorado will have little or no impact on the other big grocery chains in the state.
