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Trader Joe’s is Opening in Long Island City, According to Brokers

Prime Building at 22-43 Jackson Ave. (Photo: Queens Post)

Dec. 11, 2019 By Christian Murray

Trader’s Joes is coming to Long Island City, according to a number of well-placed real estate brokers.

The popular grocery chain, known for its quality products at affordable prices, will be moving into 22-43 Jackson Ave. A lease has been signed and the store is expected to open late 2020.

The grocery store will move into the Prime Building, an 11-story, 70-unit mixed-use building that is currently under construction. The building, designed by SRA Architecture + Engineering and developed by Circle F, will open next year.

Trader Joe’s, a California-based chain that has 500 stores across the U.S., has taken New York City by storm since it opened its first store in the Big Apple in 2006. The company now has locations in neighborhoods such as Union Square, Soho, Chelsea, Midtown East, Brooklyn Heights, Upper West side and Rego Park.

The new supermarket will compete with Foodcellar, which has a Court Square and Hunters Point location, as well as Urban Market and Key Food on 44th Drive.

Trader Joe’s, founded in 1957, is able to offer low prices by selling private-label products instead of well-known brands, according to Business Insider. The products are sold at a significant discount to brand-name equivalents and the company requires its suppliers not to publicize their business relationship.

Trader Joe’s did not respond to several e-mails and calls seeking comment and confirmation.

Rendering (Photo: Circle F Capital)

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48 Comments

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Why do u care

Crappy food cellar has a nutritious salsa for $10 when TJ has even better ones for like $3.47. Trader Joe’s is so worth it instead of getting poisoned at food cellar and paying double the amount. And people, stop begging to change the location like maybe get ur butt to LIC the best place ever ok. Thank u

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Papi John

Also I wanted to say that the whole atmosphere is great for people that work at TJs. Every time I go to other locations TJs, you are treated very well by the whole stuff, cause that’s how Universe it’s supposed to work. So… let’s bring our glasses up for a toast and welcoming TJs in LIC, the best area ever.

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Ahmed

Let’s remain cautiously optimistic about this until they actually move in. Hoping our elected officials don’t meddle in this!

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Sunnygirl

Being so close to Court Sq, it’s always going to be packed …. not only with LIC residents but people on their way home via the subway. I always see lots of people with TJ bags on the 7. That’s why there needs to be additional locations in Sunnyside and Astoria.

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allan

Yes!!! so tired of giving my money to food cellar. So overpriced and bad quality. I’ve bought spoiled items there!!!

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Roosevelt Islander

But of course NOT NO NEVER EVER a TJ’s on the Upper East Side, where it’s desperately needed. why not?

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lobster hunt

I am gonna be the first one to find the campy plastic lobster they hide in the store….and their dark chocolate covered pitted cherries are orgasmic!!

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No Trader Joe's for Sunnyside until it behaves

need for pro bike/ped traffic & absolutely minimal car parking in this dense area. Or, premium hourly parking rates at best. TJs will accommodate local foot traffic, not Sunnyside gawkers. Remember: the local biz leaders in Sunnyside frown upon outer neighbors passing through their coveted corridors

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Maria Vaccaro

Oh this is the best news ever. There will be no competition with food cellar by far Trade of Joe is the best food and quality plus friendly fly staff nothing compares to them
This is best news ever as I feed my family only via Trade of Joe

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Leslie

That’s great, I just texted my daughter. We love this store, the closest one for me is a 30 minute drive, but well worth the trip. So now she’ll have one near her home in Sunnyside.

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Jay

Will there ever be a chance of having a CVS or Duane Reade over by Queensboro Plaza/Queens Plaza stations?

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Marisol Italia Perez

Considering there’s only one TJ in Queens, this is great news! I just hope there’s gonna be FREE PARKING!!

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OAR

Obviously you don’t live in the neighborhood, there will be no parking unless you’re able to find street parking.

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Ali. Abdalkwy

Long Island city is Lucky So please coming to Woodside. We need you we cannot leave without you. Open another one in Woodside

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Lusa6

Long time coming! We need a 2nd one now over of Center to serve the 60,000 people Hunters Point 👍 I will take this for now ☺

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Prashant Bothra

Hopefully, will serve as an anchor tenant, and much-needed retail will follow suit. Great news for the area!

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George L. Stamatiades

Great!
Dutch kills Civic Association has lobbied their real easte department several times over time.

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Polis

Driving into Manhattan once a week, Sundays, parking very difficult with overwhelming Uber, Lyft bullies pushing one around, and there will be the newest tax for us civilians daring to cross a bridge or tunnel to get into Manhattan—it is hell. Without gajillion Ubers, Manhattan for shoppers and pedestrians would be manageable. Get rid of half or more non taxi hire cars, regulate drivers and companies, as taxis are, for heaven’s sake.

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OAR

Because of the NYS Liquor Laws, they can only have one location. That’s why there is only one on 14th Street.

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LICGreg

The wine store at Costco is a decent substitute. They don’t offer wines AS cheap as Trader, but better than your local shop. Also, you don’t need a membership to shop there…

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Paul

Now we need a fast food restaurant (no sarcasm at all) for all the other crappy LIC restaurant to step up there game.

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Howard

I have such mixed feelings about this! On one hand ecstatic to finally get a TJ’s in LIC but on the other hand so annoyed that this is going to be almost next door to Key Foods, the only other affordable grocery store in LIC! I don’t understand why they didn’t choose Queensborough Plaza, where there are almost literally no grocery stores other than that rip-off Food Cellar!

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Melissa

Agreed! I’ve wanted one by Ditmars for years. The first floor of the TJ Maxx building is a perfect location for them.

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Papi John

Even Stop&Shop is better that Urban Market. Forget about Food crappy Cellar. So happy for Trader Joe’s .Haleluja finally tehe

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Anon

Oh yeah, this is going to make parking in LIC even worse than it is now because anyone driving will take any empty spot anywhere in the neighborhood for the two- to- three hours it’s going to take for them to get in and out of the store. (You know the lines will be INSANE) But of course people will argue there shouldn’t be any cars in NYC and that will solve the parking problem. (eye roll) There really isn’t anywhere to park. Goodness forbid they create another parking garage in LIC, there won’t be any room for the luxury condos.

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Cindy

i always said where liquidators was because of the parking but nah thats too smart. Let them have it where no parking is available.

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Mr. Potter

No because idiots like you in Astoria complain about parking. We’re in NYC, use public transit or your legs. Many more people live in the area around this location than in central Astoria.

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Rusty Shackleford

this is great news–finally some affordable groceries in LIC, and its a really central location as well with good transit access. Hopefully this will put the crappy Food Cellar out of business, or at least make them lower their prices

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Falco

Same goes for Urban Market. They will have to lower their prices or they’ll be put out of business

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Anonymous

So walk the mile from to TJ’s at Court Square for your almond milk. Urban is convenient for many of us, clean and decently priced for a city grocery store. I’m glad we have them.

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