I feel ya! Living in STL, we have three TJs but they are ALL in the 'burbs. After a rousing effort on Facebook (oh yeah, someone created the "Bring TJ's to STL City Group"), I learned that they don't have the distribution center capacity for any more expansion in our area. This is probably why KC is left out as well. Apparently they will be expanding eventually, but in the current economy it's probably going to be a while.

That being said, it's def. just wrong to truck it across the state for TJs food. I am sure there are some small and lesser known health food and natural food stores in the KC metro area that people would be better off supporting. Right?

Trader Joe's seems like an odd place to want to drive across a state for ... mostly they offer convenience products, and going to this much trouble seems decidedly inconvenient. Unless it's December and we're talking about candy cane joe-joe's, but you can get those on eBay.

(and yes, I meant joe joe's [sic]. it's printed that way on the box)

While I enjoy shopping at TJ's, the 3 miles I have to drive seems too far to make a special trip. 253 miles? Forget it!

Oh my - makes me glad I am satisfied with the markets here. We have a locally owned chain, Macey's Food Store (not the same as Macy's dept store) that is a marvelous place to shop. The thought of driving 253 miles for a store also makes me grateful I have never shopped at Trader Joe's, so I don't know what I'm missing.

I live in St. Louis and I personally don't think there's an issue with the lack of TJ's around this area. Then again, I really only use TJ's for a few pantry items and produce. That's when I discovered all of the amazing farmers markets that (at least in my neck of the woods) are all over. My favorite is open all year round! Now I only need to go to TJ's once a month if that. But even still, it's staying local (just a 10 minute drive) and I really enjoy the things I buy there, so it's fine by me.

However, driving across the state for TJ's?? I mean they're good at what they do, but wow, not that good.

It does seem silly for Trader Joe's. I know some people love that store but really, 90% of what they sell is prepared foods. I can make my own cookies and dinners, thank you!

Their few "whole" items are not unique and often over packaged. Some times they are cheaper than the local store but not by so much it makes sense to pay a delivery fee to get them.

I love Trader Joes, but would I pay for someone to drive there and bring me back their masala sauce, candied pecans and chocolate covered caramels? Probably not. I'd miss the three buck chuck, though.

Wow. Don't let the folks at re-nest hear about them...

Enter Grand Rapids, MI - no Whole Foods and no Trader Joes - help!

I live in LA, and I love TJ's, but it's nothing amazing. The folklore (fork lore?) that's grown up around it is kinda silly. People with more money than sense can drive across a state and have fun on a road trip.

I *do* live in Kansas City and have pondered doing just this. After a stint in AZ (which is rife with TJ's) I grew to love a few staples and the low low prices at TJ's. Of course, when you get down to it it's not really worth the trip just for groceries. On the other hand, if I ever happen to be visiting a place with a TJ's I always stock up on my favorite non-perishables. Sigh... I just hope that one day they build a TJ's here in KC!

In fact, I occasionally drive the six hours from Little Rock to STL for Trader Joe's... I pretend to visit my sister while I'm there, but really it's all about Jaipur Vegetables and cheap, cheap wine.

those groceries taste like burning gasoline. boo.

we live in a small town in VA and the closest TJ's is an hour or more away--yep, we go. just not often, and usually we combine the trip with a visit to someone or with other errands in the area. we also usually call up half of everyone we know and get their lists, too. there've been many, many efforts to bring TJ's to our actual town--i have a friend who wrote them a letter every week for a year--and supposedly it's in the works....

as for the comment above that much TJ's food is processed, i don't disgree, but the trick is that it starts out a lot less creepy than what you usually get in processed foods. unless you're molly miracle and can find the time & ability make every single thing you ever put in your mouth (and congrats to you if you are), sooner or later you're going to need some insta-food. i've never found MSG in anything from trader joe's, and their frozen things actually taste good--which is more than i can say for what can be had at most grocery outlets.

For all of you TJ fans just a little info as to why they aren't in every neighborhood, they are a privately owned company that pays cash for all their inventory and they don't expand unless they know that they can build a warehouse within a reasonable distance to the stores and they can't build a warehouse just to support one store. They typically start in one region and move out from there. They also do tons of research before they open a store to make sure that the area will be able to support it.

After reading the recent article about Wal-Mart's efforts to bring great local produce into their stores this seems silly. Especially for Trader Joes. Almost everything they sell is processed convenience foods. I've gone there a few times since I pass two of them on my 5 mile commute home but I can't see driving out of my way to go there over any other grocery store.

No, not for groceries, that's just silly.

But...

if anyone's willing to drive the minimum of 8 hours from KC to the nearest IKEA and fetch me a truck full of stuff, that'd be completely sane and really super :)

You'd think that people would be more concerned with *not* wasting money in this economy.

I would miss the wine selection. You can purchase reasonably priced items. In our area, it's the least expensive option for eggs. And my husband buys the milk - no hormones.

We appreciate the quality of the food, and yes, the convenience. We definitely would miss it, but I doubt I would send someone nearly 300 miles for it. I would plan my trips to shop there, however :)

@greeneryart - I second that! It's just a 4 hours trip for me, but I miss IKEA being close to me like it was back in Northern Ohio.

I live in Kansas City, but my in-laws live in St. Louis, so we do stop by TJ's on the way home from a visit there. However, I can't imagine driving almost four hours just to go to TJ's. Don't get me wrong--I really love the store. But there's nothing there that's so unique and wonderful that I couldn't find it or make it here at home. I also live in the suburbs, so I'm not too far from a couple of health food stores. But most of the main stream grocers are starting to carry some organics now--hopefully we will see that trend continue. And the farmer's markets will be back soon--yay!

greeneryart and stllainey,

I don't know about MO/OH in general, but in my hometown (Nashville) there's a business run by a couple of guys who drive a truck down to the Atlanta IKEA twice a month and pick up stuff for people (for a fee, but it's still cheaper than IKEA's long-distance delivery service). There might be a similar business in your city.

If not, there's always long-distance delivery, or Craigslist.

We make the hour and a half trip to Whole Foods a couple of times per month. However, Wegmans makes TJ's and Whole Foods look like Wal-mart. After moving south, I now live 5 hours away from the nearest one, and I'd pay dearly for the free time to make that trip once a week.

"The Midwest is a peculiar place for those of you who live somewhere with a coast. Even though we're surrounded by farms, orchards, lakes and rivers — finding fresh organic goods requires a great deal of leg work..."

Not so much of a problem in the Chicago area, which is also the Midwest.

Our Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Penzeys Spices is a 3-hour round trip for us, but that's bundled together with my doctor's appointments, every 3 months. Around the holidays I'll make a special trip and my sister and bro-in-law have paid to ship cases of wine from TJ's from Ohio to Denver, so we're on the bandwagon, but not ridiculous.

I wouldn't go that far, and I wouldn't pay someone to do it for me, but all those places have goods I can't get in small town Ohio, especially when our farmer's market was summer only. We finally have an organic co-op of area growers that will be year round, but this is it's first year and it's still trying to get organized.

I wish those that organize the trips would organize a local farmer's market.

Try living here in IA where we have neither TJs, Whole Foods, or IKEA. The farmer's markets are only up and running through the summer/early fall. Not that we don't have access to good, healthy food, but the variety is seriously lacking for most of the year. The closest TJs is 4 hours away, so every time I'm in the Minneapolis area, it's a required stop before we head home. And we have to make sure to go on Saturday, since they can't sell alcohol on Sunday (no 3-buck Chuck?! Why bother even going, then?).
I lived in KC for a few years, back before Whole Foods was there. Back then it was Wild Oats, which was pretty cool...not sure if they're even around any more.

They're not the only crazy people that drive long distances for TJ's!

We Want Trader Joe's in the Capital District - the Albany, NY group has a website and a Facebook group and letter writing campaign (okay email submissions). Trader Joe's in Springfield, MA - about 90 miles from Albany - was very welcoming when there was a group field trip.

We don't have any Whole Foods around - they're in the same area as that Springfield, MA TJ's. And we don't have any Wegman's. We've got farm stands and farmer's markets during the summer, but other than that, our grocery options aren't that fantastic.

Personally, I don't drive just to TJ's, but I try to hit them when I'm going to be near one. I travel for work, and many of my coworkers take coolers and bags to stock up when they are going to be working near one, or will be able to stop there on the drive to or from Albany.

well, i guess if you don't have one then it's somewhat of a novelty, but really they don't live up to the hype. The produce is horrible (garlic from China!?), bread grows mold in minutes, and they have slim pickings of *truly* natural/organic products. Better to go to the farmers market for the majority of your stuff and perhaps mail order the bulk bin stuff? As an LA person, I *luv* the market "New frontiers" in the SLO area and always stop there when i drive up north, so I kinda understand.

Let me start this by saying: I loved grocery shopping in Kansas City. I miss grocery shopping in Kansas City. And finally--no, I'm not really sure that I would bother with a service like this.

That said, I'd imagine that they're making that trip for multiple people all at once. Instead of a dozen different people making the same trip to shop for themselves, this service does it all in one fell swoop...and isn't that a good thing?

And really, they'd have to shop for many, many people at once to make it worth it for them considering the time, effort, cost of gas, and cost of vehicle upkeep.

well to me, if you can definitely be sure that say, 15 people avail themselves to that service per van that's driving (but is that reasonable? I d assume every person would be looking to get a monster-load of stuff), then I guess you could call it an 'ecological indulgence" of some 20 miles to get groceries. It's really much more than you ought to 'invest' to get groceries, but it s not too scandalous if the stuff you're buying means you ll be eating less junk, less badly-raised meat etc. But any way you stretch it, it's still an ecological indulgence.

I'm a Kansas Citian, and whenever someone is going to St. Louis, it is normal for us to ask if they are going by Trader Joe's, and if there's something we really want, if they'll bring it back. That being said, while the two Whole Foods here are in the burbs, there's a Whole Foods/Wild Oats in the heart of the city at 43rd and Main, and organic food/groceries available downtown at the Cosentino's, in several of the stores in the RiverMarket, and at many local periodic markets (BADSeed in the Crossroads, etc.). There are also tons of co-ops involving local farms - for the past year, my milk has been from goats an hour or so outside of the city, the farmer makes a weekly drop off.
Finally, to say that Kansas City is the type of town where "a fancy dinner means Red Robin or Red Lobster" is foolish and a little insulting. Some of the finest restaurants in the Midwest are in KC - take a peak at the James Beard finalists for the region for the past few years. Colby and Megan Garrelts at bluestem on Westport Road in Midtown source their amazing food from local growers. bluestem, 1924 Main, the American, Room 39, Michael Smith (also local and seasonal, like bluestem), Lidia's, - just some of our very fine restaurants. Casual eats? Blanc Burgers and Bottles, SPIN Pizza, Blue Koi, tons of others, are, as an East Coaster (Atlanta, DC) among the best "casual" restaurants at which I have eaten. Food culture in this city is sophisticated, and to suggest otherwise is more than a little disingenuous. We're not butt scratchin', hayseed chewin', fanny pack wearin' yokels who go out to a "nice dinner" at Red Robin or Red Lobster whenever we tire of consuming Hamburger Helper or Cream of Mushroom soup based casseroles at home. !!!

And to be fair, on a closer read, I guess you never said KC is that sort of town; it was just suggested. All the same, I think you need a new guide to KC!

"Even though we're surrounded by farms, orchards, lakes and rivers — finding fresh organic goods requires a great deal of leg work and makes the theory of "slow food" feel overpowered by fast paced commercialism and suburban sprawl."

What? I've lived in Missouri most of my life... the last three cities I've lived in had year-round farmer's markets in or near the city center. Even where Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are scarce, there are independent natural food stores. I lived for two years in Springfield, MO, which is considerably smaller than KC, and we had three large healthy/organic grocery stores (Mama Jean's!), plus at least half a dozen smaller "health food" stores.

BUT-- Kansas City is a horrible place for suburban sprawl. It was basically designed to be a collection of suburbs and cut the city off entirely. That said, and I'm with doublemodal, you are really selling the KC food scene short.

As a Canadian who has no idea what Trader Joe's sells that is worth driving that distance for, I'm curious! Those of you that love it, what do you love about it? What kinds of things does TJ sell that your local supermarkets don't sell?

I'm guilty of the same thing.. I live in Eastern Washington state, and the nearest Trader Joes are in Portland (3 hours away) and Seattle (3 1/2 hours away). I usually make Trader Joe's runs every month or two and stock up on some of their specialty items.

However, driving that distance on a regular basis to get basic essentials seems pretty gluttonous. I usually pair my TJ visits with other reasons to drive to one of the big cities, so it is rarely the sole reason I go.

doublemodal & matchbookhymnal: You are correct, there are great places to eat in KC and I fully support them. But if you stood outside the Sprint Center on any given night and asked them where a good place to eat was (eliminating all BBQ responses) I would guess at least 50% of the responses wouldn't reflect the talented chefs and restaurants we have.

A good majority of people don't know such food exists (which was the point of the above statement)

I'm a native Texan (which I don't believe has any Trader Joes within its borders), but I have been to TJ a few times whenever I spend my summers in California (about once every two years). I don't get it. What's the big deal? Anything you REALLY couldn't make yourself?

To me, it looks like a tiny Whole Foods/H.E.B. Central Market.

I think doublemodal & matchbookhymnal are saying more about the food scene than that there are great restaurants to choose from. I think they are saying the way people in KC things about food is more intelligent than it seems like has been said here. I lived in KC until recently and found it very easy to eat and buy quality food. It does take planning and effort, but I live in Austin now and find that it takes just as much planning and effort but in a different way. Kansas City is a great place to eat and fall in love with food. People DO care about what they are eating in Kansas City.

All of that to say, I find it ridiculous that people are paying extra and driving so far for snack foods (because, let's be honest, that's what most people are buying).

Our local senior center receives TJ donations 6 days a week...meats, produce, diary, breads and damaged dry goods. Not one thing that comes through the center from TJ is unique to the company. You can find everything in the store at the other markets, you just need to look. I'm not sold on the store and think it's highly over rated. Much of the produce is better quality at the regular grocery or farmer's market and from more local sources. That said, I'm deeply impressed by TJ's commitment to supporting local charities.

Trader Joe's is not worth driving that far for. No way. I drive almost 45 miles one way to get to Whole Foods, and there's a TJ's near by. I gave it a try when I got back hoping that it had changed a little bit. It hadn't. The produce at TJ's does not have the same quality as WFs does, nor do they have a comparable organic selection. It's tiny, and I don't like feeling like cattle being shuffled through their check-out stands.

I learned today that TJ is opening up on the Upper West Side- a neighborhood in Manhattan. Now, there's already one downtown in Manhattan, but from where I come from, it's basically an hour on the subway, battling crowds with bulky packages, stairs, and last second dashes to catch a train- just to get some groceries that aren't price gouging me to death.
An hour, for fewer than 5 miles. But anything to help me out with finances- priceless. and even if i did have a car- wouldn't make a difference, b/c where could i even park it?
oh TJ. I do enjoy cheaper basics and produce. I don't enjoy the massive crowds and empty shelves at noon.

I wouldn't drive that far for it. But I disagree that the only thing TJ's is good for is processed convenience food. Their nuts, produce, steel cut oats, wine, flour, eggs, rice and cheese are all high quality for far less money than my local chain grocery store-- sometimes as much as 50% cheaper. Additionally, many of their canned products are organic, such as tomatoes. Have you checked the price of organic tomatoes in a supermarket lately? Anyway, TJ's is close to me and a regular stop on my weekly grocery shopping trips.

I would never do this, but of course perspective: I live biking or short driving distance to two Trader Joe's stores.

Growing up on the outskirts of BFE in New Mexico, it was quite common to have a shopping list to send with the next person driving 200 miles to Albuquerque and the nearest Wild Oats and Price Club etc. It isn't something we ever made a special trip for though....

You just had to make sure you kept your mouth shut if you were headed that way and did not want to spend a day shopping and lugging stuff back for half the town!

I agree with heathererk about TJ's prices. Nuts, grains, awesome granolas, yogurt, eggs and CHOCOLATE of all kinds at great prices. We moved two years ago from Orange County CA, where I had three (!) TJ's within 20 minutes of my house, to Las Cruces, NM, where our closest one is in Albuquerque, which is 3 1/2 hours away. If someone from the neighborhood is going, I always have them get a couple bags of stuff for me. Otherwise, we try to stop at a TJ's when traveling (e.g. when Hubs goes on a business trip to L.A., etc.).

I think TJ's has a huge following of people like me who consider them something like "comfort food." I have 7 kids and did a lot of grocery shopping there. For YEARS. They do have a lot of unique items. And I just love the way it smells... There is a very distinct TJ aroma that puts a smile on my face every single time I walk through their doors. I think this shopping service is a great idea, and I think I would be willing to start something like that for our neighborhood.

Living in Spokane, WA we've got a very similar situation. When anyone from work goes to Seattle, we use them as a Trader Joe's delivery service. It's never the sole reason for the visit, but it's definitely a required stop.

I live in Nebraska and have never visited this oddly sacred chain-store known as Trader Joe's. Don't we like to support farmers and local businesses? Not that I wouldn't ever shop at a TJ's if it were in my city, but buying from nearby farmers is better, I think.

Anyways, it's completely absurd, even laughable, that anyone from KC there would think there is no healthy food to be found. In the WHOLE CITY! Just, wow... My town is much smaller than KC and yes, it's possible to find healthy food in the Midwest, even in our tiny little village of 250,000. In fact, I don't understand this at all: "Even though we're surrounded by farms, orchards, lakes and rivers — finding fresh organic goods requires a great deal of leg work and makes the theory of "slow food" feel overpowered by fast paced commercialism and suburban sprawl." I don't live all over the Midwest, but I've lived in various midwestern states most of my life, and I don't really see the truth there...and "fast paced commercialism" is a better descriptor of big-city living than Midwestern living! Being surrounded by agriculture makes grown food easier to find, just like you'd think living in a densely populated urban area would make fresh grown things more difficult to find.

But still, thanks for being so concerned about us ignorant idiots down here. You know, those of us who think Red Robin is fine dining. It's true, all we know is corn and church, unlike the highly educated coastal intellectuals, with 100% healthy organic food exploding all over their cities. Real food, we've never heard of it (here in the heart of the nation's food supply), and we don't care! Bring on the crayons!

Living in San Francisco I have access to 5 TJ's. But if I did not live near one I would definitely not pay to have someone shop for me. If they were headed near one, and going themselves, I might ask them to pick something up for me.

However, whenever I go home to visit in Humboldt County, which is about 5 hours away, I do put the word out if anyone needs a TJ run. Most popular items are white truffle oil and of course...Two Buck Chuck!

253 miles one way...506 miles round trip. 24 miles per gallon...21.1 gallons of gasoline. $2.75/gallon gasoline (currently here) comes out to $57.98 dollars just in gasoline to drive across the state for TJ. Do you really think you will save nearly $60, not counting car wear, time and lunch, at TJ????

I live like 5 minutes away from one of the Trader Joe's in Saint Louis. I go to it about once every 2 months. It's really not that great besides cheap alcohol. Yes there are some great things, but Kansas City itself has much more to offer. I think it's pretty hilarious that people are wanting to buy Trader Joe's products that much. A good majority of what they sell are packaged foods and pre-made dishes. You can just make them yourself and I'm almost positive it would taste as good if not better, especially if you use local produce. I like Trader Joe's, but I shop there when I want to buy something that I can make instantly.

I am in the process of moving to Northeastern Tennessee and have been sending emails to TJ's requesting a store within a one hour drive from my new town. I have also requested mail order. When I arrive there I will have to do without, or drive 135 miles and that is not going to happen. To bad, hopefully my kids will be sending me little care packages. Oh, the pain of life without TJ's, I am trying to adjust.