By love-89.com Trader Joe’s opened its second location in South Pasadena on October 21, drawing a large crowd of local residents. Situated at 1129 Fair Oaks Avenue, this new store is just one mile away from the existing location at 613 Mission Street, which is only a five-minute drive. The new store is expected to significantly alleviate the overcrowding experienced at the original location.
During a visit around noon on a weekday, despite it being a work day, the parking lot was completely full, with many customers circling in search of available spaces. The interior of the store continues Trader Joe’s signature style, featuring an iconic flower section right at the entrance, adorned with pumpkins in preparation for the upcoming Halloween. The store’s spacious layout stands out compared to many other Trader Joe’s locations, making it inviting for shoppers. The lunch hour saw many local middle school students visiting in groups for unique snacks. Even with the bustling crowd, checkout lines were orderly and surprisingly efficient. The staff were friendly and enthusiastic, with some employees having been relocated from other branches.
The new store occupies 13,866 square feet and was previously a Vons supermarket, which operated for 45 years before closing its doors in September 2023. There had been various discussions on Reddit about who would take over the space, with some local residents expressing hopes for an Asian grocery store.
According to local media outlet South Pasadenan, Trader Joe’s plans to hire 50 employees locally and relocate 45 employees from nearby stores. The company will also continue its Neighborhood Shares Program, ensuring that 100% of unsold yet edible products are donated to local charities, thus maintaining its commitment to supporting the community.