A martini is a terrible thing to waste.

Trader Joe’s on Wolf Road? :(

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Jan 8, 2012 25 Comments

 

I am happy Trader Joe’s is coming to Albany.  I am.  I love their product.

Although I will always be Team Honest Weight Food Co-Op, I am glad Trader Joe’s is coming here.

One quick question.

Why are they going to Wolf Road???

So lame.

I feel like some big dumb realtor convinced Trader Joe’s that Wolf Road is where they need to be.  But they’re wrong.

Trader Joe’s should have been strategically placed into a better location.  Maybe Menands on Broadway.  Maybe in Rensselaer.  Maybe in North Albany down by the river.  Maybe even in that empty East Greenbush debacle on Rte 4 off of Exit 8.

Opening up a Trader Joe’s in a big, huge, abandoned warehouse in some easy-to-get-to location would have been cool.  It would have helped out the local commerce in an area that could use the help. And let’s be honest, everyone is going to drive to Trader Joe’s no matter where the hell it is, so why put it on a street that’s already saturated with lame-o chain restaurants and Dunkin Donuts?

Wolf Road is a pain in the ass to get to.  My stress level skyrockets every time I think about having to go to Benson’s Pet Center (a great pet store, btw) on Wolf Road.

I really wish someone in local government would have stepped in and said, “We’d love to have Trader Joe’s in Albany.   We think you should go _________ (here) , and we’ll give you ________ ($) to make that happen.”

It could have revitalized an area instead of Wolf Road which doesn’t need it.

Bruce Roter and all those who worked so hard to get Trader Joe’s to Albany should be very proud.  It was an incredibly impressive grass roots movement.  I just think it would have been a sweeter victory if it wasn’t coming to Wolf Road.



Comments

  • Jessica R
    Jan 8, 2012 at 8:50 am

    Veryy good point Matt. I wonder what led them to choose that location. I am glad that they reused an empty building rather than building something new though.

  • Dawn B
    Jan 8, 2012 at 9:02 am

    VERY WELL SAID !!! That is why you are a successful business guy ! Because you are smart and think about things like that :)

  • Christopher Broughton
    Jan 8, 2012 at 9:12 am

    Totally agree with you Matt. Maybe Bruce can send this opinion piece to them, or we all should with our own thoughts on the locale…but of course the lease is already signed.

    Definitely would have been hot in some out-of-the-way locale…

  • llcwine
    Jan 8, 2012 at 9:29 am

    I’ve only been to the TJ’s in Tucson…various locations…and they all sit in Strip Malls on major roadways that are as busy if not busier than Wolf…I can’t say for where they are located downstate or in Mass…..

  • Nosykar
    Jan 8, 2012 at 9:56 am

    I so agree with you, Matt. Why Wolf Rd.? It is congested enough. Can’t imagine what traffic will be like at Christmas.

  • supernova
    Jan 8, 2012 at 9:57 am

    llcwine, i’ve been to two locations and you are exactly right with your statement. There are times where I’ve intentionally gone to Trader Joe’s to buy things and times where I just stopped in because i happened to be driving by. The impulse stop is something you will get at Wolf Road that you won’t get at many other locations in the area.

  • Noah
    Jan 8, 2012 at 10:26 am

    Ill be glad when the store opens, but I agree that Wolf Road was a poor choice. Every store I have seen is normally set in the same area so high traffic (literally) fits into the business model.

    I posted this link on Facebook, it’s an article from LA magazine about Trader Joes (started in LA in the 70′s). Good read but it’s long so grab some coffe, water, martini, etc and dive in.

    http://www.lamag.com/features/story.aspx?ID=1515075

  • yt
    Jan 8, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Im sorry youre upset

  • Edna
    Jan 8, 2012 at 11:40 am

    I think North Albany or Menands would have been ideal.Rensselaer,well,not so much.Looking forward to it though! BTW,just wanted to wish you a happy New Year.Thank you for your generosity and community support. Wishing you continued success :)

  • Johnny
    Jan 8, 2012 at 11:44 am

    Two minutes from my house! I am happier than a fly on shit! Don’t fret though, Matt, they will open another location soon. Probs in Clifton Park. :-P

  • Reggio
    Jan 8, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    i agree w johnny. there will be more. i like living within bike/walking distance to my Trader Joe’s

  • DianeMarie
    Jan 8, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    I concur….. period!!!

  • Julia
    Jan 8, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Yeah, I’m glad I can just hop on the Northway & get there. I’m glad it’s not off the beaten path. The only time I ever have to go to Rensselaer is to get to the train station & I don’t mind it staying that way! Don’t worry once the novelty wears off, it’ll be fine! Just like Krispy Kreme which doesn’t even exist in this area anymore-Lol!! ;)

  • lynn b
    Jan 8, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    i know, wolff road is a nightmare. i completely agree, a warehouse trader joe’s would be amazing!

  • bird
    Jan 8, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    ugh, why on earth would they choose Wolf Rd.????? I avoid WR on all costs & I don’t live anywhere near Albany- the fact that I would even have to drive that distance & deal w/that traffic gives me a migrane- poor choice TJ, poor choice.

  • Melanie Madden
    Jan 8, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    I actually don’t agree. I live in Schenectady and all the locations you mentioned are difficult to get to and far away. I’m pretty happy with Wolf Rd!

  • Jacky
    Jan 8, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    totally agree!

    yay to TJ, boo to the location. wolf is on my ‘only go there in desperate times’… for when i have a craving for chilis (and dont feel like driving to glenmont) or if i want to OG. Otherwise, AVOID. I would have loved their contemplation, want, and inspiration in moving into an area that is in need of revitalization – not only for convenience of traffic, but to allow MORE of albany to prosper.

  • Mark
    Jan 9, 2012 at 12:42 am

    Sadly, like all chain high volume businesses, they need to locate at a high traffic location, with ample parking, in order to succeed. They’re hardly likely to locate in a part of town that needs to be brought back to life.

  • JD
    Jan 9, 2012 at 9:41 am

    Trader Joe’s doesn’t open stores in big warehouse locations. They have relatively small storefronts, often in strip malls, as noted above. I think you should start a “We want IKEA in the Capital Region” group to sell on your idea of revitalizing an area with a major box store vacancy.

  • Brian
    Jan 9, 2012 at 9:43 am

    I don’t hate it being on Wolf Rd that much. The traffic isn’t that bad. That parking lot is tiny though and could cause some craziness.

  • Cheryl
    Jan 9, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    You really should run for Mayor. Just sayin..

  • Matt M.
    Jan 9, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    I think you’re all crazy! I love the fact it’s on Wolf Rd, didn’t you all know it’s only two miles from my house?!

    …after making this statement I am now saddened to realize I live only two miles from Wolf Rd. Ugh.

  • Jen
    Jan 10, 2012 at 9:42 am

    Agree, but WE GET TRADER JOE’S!!!!!!!!!!! That means no more February trips to North Hampton, MA, because I am crazy in love!

  • Kelly E.
    Jan 11, 2012 at 9:45 am

    I love this post. It’s so true. My heart sank a little when I realized that it was going to be on Wolf Rd. I currently travel out to Massachusetts (a 2 hour drive just to get there) to get my TJs fix. I only go out to Wolf Road when I absolutely have to (Sephora) – and avoid it at all costs during the holidays. What a shame. Broadway in Menands would be ideal! (not that I am partial or anything… hehe).

  • Wayne
    May 6, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    A better question is why is a community driven local place like HWF Co-op building on Everett, away from the community.

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