A new Trader Joe’s opened on Riverside Drive June 6. The store opened following an announcement by the grocery chain on June 5. The new store opened across the street from another Trader Joe’s location. Neither location will close, according to an announcement from the brand.
Head Prefect Caroline Cosgrove ’26 said that she was thrilled about the new branch of the store.
“I’m really excited that there’s gonna be a new [Trader Joe’s] opening up nearby,” Cosgrove said. “It’s really convenient to go straight after school since it’s not that far, and I can go pick up groceries for my family and friends.”
Cosgrove also said that she is excited to go during lunch this year.
“I would love to go to Trader Joe’s during the off campus lunch period because it’s close, I can pick up food quickly and it’s cheaper than going to a restaurant nearby.”
CJ Jia ’28 said she was excited about the new Trader Joe’s and that she would go there before her golf matches.
“I would go if my mom was willing to drive me because this would probably be the closest Trader Joes to my house,” Jia said. “We have a lot of golf matches against Notre Dame this season, so maybe my coaches will let us get stuff there in order to get pre-game meals before our match.”
Abbey Herrera ’28, another student athlete, said she felt similar excitement about the new Trader Joe’s location.
“I love having after school snacks, especially as a student athlete,” Herrera said. “One of my favorite snacks at Trader Joe’s is the frozen chocolate covered fruit.”
Junior Prefect Charlotte Im ’27 said that she would use the Trader Joe’s when she is near the school.
“I would probably not go for my home stuff, but maybe if we need something for school, I would go with my friends,” Im said.
Transportation and Equipment Coordinator Miguel Acevedo said he is looking forward to visiting the new store because of the upgrades that have been made.
“I actually shopped in the old one they used to have there, but I haven’t shopped at the new one,” Acevedo said. “I assume it’s going to be better. They probably updated the parking lot and made a bigger store too.”
Junior Prefect Jasiri Johnson ’27 said that the Trader Joe’s could be helpful in getting snacks for people who have different dietary restrictions.
“I could see myself having to go there to pick up some snacks because they do have some really good snacks that are gluten -free,” Johnson said. “However, I don’t see it being my store of choice, due to the fact that it’s so far away. It’s also pricey for a student to be going.”
Like Johnson, Kailani Yap ’26 said that even though she enjoys Trader Joe’s, the new location would not be convenient and would not be put to good use.
“There’s a Trader Joe’s pretty close to my house in Studio City,” Yap said. “It seems as though the new Trader Joe’s is not on my commute to school, so there likely won’t be any reason to go during school hours.”
Sarah Huang ’27 said that Trader Joe’s has a special place in her heart.
“Trader Joe’s is awesome,” Huang said. “I remember being excited to find the animal hidden in the grocery store and getting a lollipop as a kid.”
