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Whole Foods or Trader Joe's: We have voice, let it be heard!!

Neighbors,

I just blogged about Hi-Lo closing.

I'm curious, which would you rather, Whole Food or Trader Joe's or what alternatives would you suggest?

How would this benefit our community and who would it hurt?

If we feel strongly about this, we can weigh in. Before we do, we need to carefully take into who our who really represents - and work to ensure all voices are heard. 

 

This post was edited to after feedback from the comments at 7:38 pm. 

 

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Comment by Chris Pierson on January 14, 2011 at 10:29pm

I'd definitely prefer Trader's. Stopped going to Whole Foods years ago and don't miss it at all, but remain a huge fan of TJ. But is TJ even really even vaguely on the table? Is Whole Foods a fait accompli?

Comment by Jennie P on January 14, 2011 at 9:54pm
Ideally, I agree with Loay. But that is really going to be a battle. I so so wish that could happen - maybe it can. But yeah the fact that we don't have a good farmer's market is ridiculous. In JP?? Why not? Because of lack of location I suppose, but what about Our Lady of Lourdes Parish house parking lot that is perpetually empty? Whole other discussion. Didn't mean to digress, but we really do need a real farmer's market and exactly what Loay, Andrew, and others are talking about. Like what they have in Philly (Reading Terminal Market), had in DC until recently (Eastern Market). Better than Haymarket but similar idea. Or at least one like they have in Somerville, Brookline, Copley, Central Sq, etc etc etc. Everywhere but JP it seems.
Comment by Julia on January 14, 2011 at 9:51pm
Definitely Trader Joe's! That would be amazing! Please please please!
Comment by Charis Loveland on January 14, 2011 at 9:45pm
Definitely Trader Joe's, for the reasons previously mentioned.
Comment by Loay on January 14, 2011 at 9:42pm
Neither. I like Andrew suggestion that reflects what we had in the Lexington Market in Baltimore, or Shepherds Bush or a Souk with many small stalls in a single building. We need more ethnic food and more access to non corporate small businesses. That will solve Stillmans issues with BofA's parking lot too.Somerville has gone that way why not JP.
Comment by Meg Nelson on January 14, 2011 at 9:27pm
Trader Joe's - all the way!!! Better selection for the price - and would be a nice alternative to the harvest coop
Comment by Eric on January 14, 2011 at 9:09pm

I actually find that if you stick to WF's 360 brand and 'conventional' produce that it's not much more expensive than Roche Bros. or Shaws or Star or any other market. It may just be what I buy...I'm not there to buy the higher-end items.

I'm confused why a) Trader Joe's is being discussed because there is no evidence at all that they are interested in the site and b) why if gentrification or chain companies are a concern why Trader Joe's is any better than WF. They are the same animal ultimately. If your concern lies beyond shopping at them, I think they would have the same effect.

I shop at both TJ's and WF's and one of them is good for one thing and the other for something different. I've actually always thought that WF was a bit more transparent regarding the source of their food then TJ's.

 

There seems to be a market for a latin supermarket in JP and I would be surprised if Stop & Shop didn't offer more or if a new supermarket were to open in the future on Centre (perhaps even as part of the Jackson Square development). 

Comment by Anne Rogers on January 14, 2011 at 9:01pm
Trader Joe's - much more afforable than WF, saves driving over to Cambridge.
Comment by Dave Baron on January 14, 2011 at 8:55pm
Trader Joes insists on sourcing their own brand.  And in general, Whole Foods treat their employees well.  But all these questions have to be answered:  How much prepared food is going to be part of their proposal for this store?   Will they accept WIC?  Will they train and make high-level training part of what they offer to JP employees?  JP is an excellent market for these stores -- they want to be here, and they should want to be here.  But we have our own priorities -- we want to keep City Feed of course and help them and other local businesses to thrive and grow.  Whoever wants to come in, we will all have to look at them closely. 
Comment by Rebecca Bousquet Johnson on January 14, 2011 at 8:54pm
My husband and I are so sad to hear of hi lo closing! The small french baguette for .79cents, the produce, it is so great having it next door. Whole foods has some neat things, but the prices are just too much. And I do fear for harvest and city feed. If I had to choose between the two I'd say Trader Joes, the others are so mobbed all the time that I don't go in, the prices are more reasonable and I think they have things that add more and won't take business away from Harvest.. What is this going to do for the already busy traffic here though? But on a + side, maybe other businesses will pick up from the traffic?

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