Trader Joe's Petition 850 Signatures Strong
Pete DeBuys, the petition's creator, is aiming to get 5,000 signatures.
So far the petition to bring a Trader Joe’s to Smyrna-Vinings has 859 signatures, but that’s still a long way off from the 5,000 the petition’s organizer seeks.
The petition reached 750 signatures on July 4. Is it no coincidence that this milestone was reached on our nation’s Independence Day? The majority of the signatures are from Smyrna residents, but it looks like there are a few Marietta folks pulling for a more conveniently located TJ.
One signee said he’d like to see a Trader Joe’s at the corner of Spring Road and Atlanta Road in the Jonquil Village development.
“Other TJ's locations are way too far to travel on a regular basis, and this is our favorite place to shop for groceries,” he said. “Smyrna is up and coming and could really use one (Ideally at the corner of Spring/Atlanta where a Publix was originally intended to go). This is central to Smyrna and would be a great inbound and outbound place to stop!”
Two other Trader Joe’s fans explained that the drive to East Cobb and Buckhead is too inconvenient.
Read More About Trader Joe's on Smyrna-Vinings Patch:
- Smyrna Seeks Soul Mate in Trader Joe's
- Apartments, Shops in Riverwood 200, No Trader Joe's
- Trader Joe's Fans Seek 5,000 Signatures for Petition
Have you signed the petition? Tell us why you want a Smyrna-Vinings Trader Joe’s in the comments.
Larry King
11:56 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Hey
Have you thought about the vacant Taco Mac facility on E/W Connector?
Sydney Busby
3:29 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
That's a great suggestion, Larry.
Hey Smyrna-Vinings, where in the community do you think Trader Joe's should set up shop?
Pete
7:42 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Thanks Larry. Good idea.
Anyone else have any location suggestions for a Trader Joe's for our community?
Brian
10:25 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
E.G, there's no WalMart in Smyrna. In fact, the closest Wal-Mart is a mile away. Others are even farther.
ABreban
4:08 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Old Kroger location in South Cobb/Concord Road!
Jill Rice
11:15 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I was also going to suggest the empty Kroger site on S. Cobb at Old Concord.
JT
9:17 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Why not tell us where the petition is so that we can sign it? Cart/Horse; Then we will work on the where we would like it. Thanks!
Sydney Busby
9:20 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Hi JT,
The petition is linked in the article, but here it is again: http://www.change.org/petitions/trader-joe-s-smyrna-vinings
Thanks for reading Smyrna-Vinings Patch!
Sydney Busby
Robin Tubbs
10:02 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
I agree with JT. Cart/Horse. Ultimately Smyrna has to prove we have the demographics to ensure Trader Joe's can survive. It's not about where we want it and why. Will Trader Joe's consider Smyrna and why?
Sydney Busby
10:05 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Good point, Robin. Do you think Smyrna-Vinings and the surrounding communities have the demographics to sustain a Trader Joe's? Some of the people signing the petition live outside Smyrna-Vinings.
Pete
7:47 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Within 5 miles of Paces Ferry Road and Atlanta Road our 2011 population was 147,559, with an average age of 31, living in 79,151 housing units (41.15% of which are owner occupied) and our average household income is $94,458. We spent $627,948,812 in food, beer wine and liquor sales.
This is a pretty strong demographic for TJ's to consider. Plus, we have to drive 12+ miles to get to a TJ's (depending on where you live it can be farther or closer).
SmyrnaJoe
1:11 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
I drive quite a distance to get to TJ's as well. While the demographics are interesting, of note is the fact that we have an over abundance of cheap pizza chains and lousy wing joints. This is something you do not see in the neighborhoods with Trader Joes (Marietta, Sandy Springs). So what is it about us?
Pete
7:52 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
As of 7:50 PM July 7, 2012 we have 1,600 signatures, on two different petition sites (my bad, I started on Ipetition and they solicit $$$ at the end of the petition).
Please send this link to your friends, family, and co workers where ever they may live... http://www.change.org/petitions/trader-joe-s-smyrna-vinings
Robin Tubbs
12:35 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Pete,
In order to present the Smyrna market to Trader Joe's, the owner or leasing agent of the property must contact TJ's Real Estate office. I'd suggest contacting Branch properties to rule out if they have or have not been in contact with TJ's. If you another have another site in mind, that property rep has to do the same. I'm sure a petition provided to the property owner will be useful, along with the demographics. As you probably can guess, site selection is up to Trader Joe's, so a property developer is responsible to "sell" Smyrna.
Pete
6:50 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Great suggestions from everyone on locations for TJ's and for presenting our sites to Trader Joe's.
One of the cool things is TJ's footprint is only 10,000 square feet as opposed to the new Kroger on S Cobb at concord which is 100,000 square feet.
In most grocery anchored shopping centers the grocer pays a very low rent rate and the smaller stores (national and regional and "Mom & Pop"retailers) pay higher rents. So while having the mega Kroger may seem indicative of a neighborhood turning around or being revitalized, the noticeable absence of small shops there is disturbing. The only 2 stores are a nail shop and a cell phone store, usually the first spaces rented in a new development (I wonder why they do not have a dry cleaner also).
Trader Joe's can take a smaller space and deliver the products we all seem to want. Keep the petition going. Forward it to everyone you know. Have it printed in your HOA newsletter. Put it in your church, synagogue, or mosque's newsletter or program.
Dinner tonight are Trader Joe's Chicken Egg Rolls....
Pete
8:05 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
We are now over 2,000 signatures. Spread the word. Here is the URL: http://www.change.org/petitions/trader-joe-s-smyrna-vinings
Brian
2:05 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
I signed, but is Trader Joe's a big enough anchor tenant for Jonquil Village, in terms of rent?
Don't forget that Belmont Hills is stirring if Branch can't lure Trader Joe's or it's not a big enough anchor for them.
Brian
2:13 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
So I did some more poking around, and confirmed the 10,000 sq feet footprint of Trader Joe's. The plan from Branch had the grocery store at 40,000 sq feet.I know Trader Joe's is cool and all, but why Branch pass up a 40,000 sq foot tenant for a 10,000 sq foot tenant? It just doesn't make business sense. Plus, think about the company they are asking for an investment from. What do you think they'd say?
I think everyone may have more luck trying to get Publix to make that store a Greenwise concept and push for Trader Joe's in Belmont Hills.
I don't think the petition is a waste because it will get Trader Joe's attention, but people need to go talk to Halpern fast to see if perhaps Belmont Hills can lure Trader Joe's instead. Just so all the eggs aren't put in one basket.
Plus, Belmont Hills is shaping up to be much more of what would seem the kind of development appropriate for a Trader Joe's.
30080
11:20 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013
What's the latest on the petition?
30080
3:25 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Here's an alternative to TJ's - Earth Fare, a fast growing regional natural foods grocer based in Asheville NC. www.earthfare.com They're in Athens & Augusta GA.
30080
8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Earth Fare. They also serve meals at the stores. Kids eat for free 4-8 pm one day a week. It's farm to market.