Having lived in a small city that was desperate for a Trader Joes, I can say I know about 25,000 people who will be quick to subscribe. But TJ's is seemingly so against making its products available outside their existing markets, I have to wonder why they wouldn't protest this company's work... It's a free country I guess.

I have an odd TJ's experience that I am hoping someone out there can shed some light on. I live in Northern California where TJs are commonplace. Yes, the place is always busy and the parking lot a mess but its manageable. But, I was visiting Washington DC a couple of weeks ago and around the corner from my hotel in Georgetown was a Trader Joes. On a free afternoon when I was out walking I decided to go in to take a look around and much to my surprise and bewilderment was the check out line. It stretched around the entire store. People were waiting in that long of a line to get their groceries rung up. I asked someone in line if this is normal and they said "yes, for Mondays" and "it goes by pretty quick". Obviously that last quote is relative but I have to wonder, is a line that long the norm for East Coast TJs?????? Can anyone out there comment? I'm fascinated by this.

I live in the DC area and the only time I have ever seen a TJs line that long was before a major snowstorm. So it is not the norm for me.

I waited in a line that stretched around the store in that Georgetown store when we were on vacation in D.C. Here in Boston they manage the lines well and it's not a hassle. I will say that line in D.C. moved rather quickly.

I've been to that Trader Joe's in Georgetown (it's the only [I think]) one in the city limits), and yes - that line is pretty common, especially on Sundays, though I've seen it on Fridays and Mondays too. It does move pretty quickly, but its existence is unsurprising. That area does not have a lot of grocery options, and that store is next to George Washington University's campus, and located between campus and a lot of student housing.

I've been to the Bethesda, MD, and Gaithersburg, MD, locations as well, and the lines are like those of any other grocery store.

Somebody needs to do this for ikea. None of the things I want from them are available online.

I don't think that I'll be clicking to ship from trader joe's. I live in florida and sadly we don't have any in the state. my mother is in NJ and she'll ship whatever I want for free. the one she goes to even has kosher meats. unfortunately, she can't ship those

Hmm....I foresee a Trader Joe's lawsuit in this company's future...

The lines always snake around the store in the NYC stores. I've been to the Union Square one and the interesting Brooklyn location many times, and they are always, always packed to the gills when I go. I haven't found a time that's quiet, especially at the Union Square one. It's ridiculous. The lines are so long (but they move pretty quickly), and the store is always so, so crowded and difficult to shop in. Honestly, I love TJ's, but I've given up shopping there. It's just not worth it.

That DC snaking line is pretty common. I actually think it works quite well, because it's actually a queue to the checkout stations on the other side, where anywhere from 4-12+ registers are open. The checkers are great about yelling "NEXT!" and I think the line may move faster than the other stores. I always try to scope out the breads and chocolates that are in line right before you get to the head of the queue, and it moves so fast you can barely look at the items.

@rosebud, I've yet to enter the NYC Union Sq TJ's because the line on weekends JUST TO GET INSIDE THE STORE can stretch halfway down the block. If I was around on weekdays, I'd pop in, but there ain't no line just to ENTER Gristedes so if I need a grocery store on a Saturday, that's where I'll be.

With such high demand, it is a wonder to me that they aren't more rapidly expanding thier business.

if it means that I don't have to deal with their parking lots.... YES

I love Trader Joe's and go when I'm on vacation, but I'm way too cheap to go for this.

And, yes, it can be tiresome when it seems like every other post on AT is all about Trader Joe's and Ikea (don't have one of those here, either).

I wouldn't use it regularly, because I live just 5 minutes from a TJ's, but will say that grocery delivery was absolutely invaluable on a few occasions in my life. The first was post-surgery recovery when I couldn't lift anything for a few weeks - and - again when a family member had terminal cancer and it was tough for me to leave the house even to go grocery shopping or pick-up her meds. As a result I like to support grocery delivery services and I do keep an eye on who offers them in case I need them again in future...

I've seen the snaking lines at the Trader Joe's in Back Bay (Boston). IIRC, it was sometime between 5 and 7 pm, which would be everyone stopping to get stuff for dinner that night.

I live in Southern California and I've seen the line snake around the building during the holidays.

I wish I had a TJ here in Saint Petersburg! I miss that joint from living in LA. I remember when Amazon offered a deliver service and you could order snacks and movies. This was back in 2001.

The Clumsy Eater

We have three TJ's in Santa Barbara, and all are usually very busy. I have been in some LA and east coast stores that were like the Apple Store on the day before Christmas.

@ Rosebud, I live in Las Vegas, and have never seen a line like that here, BUT I was visiting a friend in Northern California (in Oakland), and there was a line all the way around the store. I also asked about it, and got the same response, that that's just the way it is there, and that it moves pretty quickly (and it did). Anyway, it appears it is not just an east coast thing.

I'm retired now, so I can choose when I go to TJ's, but when I was working, there were times when I dreamed of a service like this, even if they don't ship perishables.

Those parking lots!

I don't understand the fascination with this store. They sell glorified junk food.

I guess its good for folks who don't know how to cook.

hmmm...they don't really have the things i would want. plus...the cold items are the best. Shoipping on dry ice may be an option but i can see that getting $$. Also- can't see TJ's store being thrilled about this, but it's a great idea! I wish TJ's would come to NE Florida.

*shipping

I went to live in Tennessee, for about a year, because I have a son there whom I needed to see more than twice yearly visits. I was in rural eastern TN and the nearest TJ's was 130 miles away. I would have paid almost anything for the joy of TJ's organic vanilla yogurt, or the selection of mustards or Teriyaki Turkey Jerky, or Tea Tree Oil soap, or any of the amazing snacks and cheeses, or, or, or. I have returned to civilization and spend quite a lot of time just wandering through the Henderson Nevada Trader Joe's, I have another son who lives in Henderson. My need for this service is unnecessary now, but a month ago or a year ago I would have been quite happy to pay the price! I have noticed since my return that even the smell of TJ's is quite comforting and makes me feel secure.. I know, I am suffering from an advanced case of nostalgia.

In another few months I will return home to the Bay Area, but if I ever end up in some tiny, little rural town again, I hope this service survives and flourishes because I will be using it.

I'm in Hawaii and should have known better, but I tried ordering a $5 bag of cookies just for laughs, and got a $42 ground shipping quote. Oh well, it was worth a try!

I live a few blocks away from the aforementioned Trader Joe's in DC, and I can also vouch for the long snaking line being completely normal - in fact, it's always a little surprising when there isn't a line. It's kind of convenient, really - if you go with another person, someone can stand in line while the other person grabs the food!

I'm a huge fan of TJ's here in Seattle. Check out my recipe exchange here - it has a section called "Trader Joe's: 5 Ingredients or Less" http://recipesforsnugglers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=tj