Last updated on August 30th, 2022 at 03:14 pm
It’s official. Trader Joe’s is coming to Jacksonville Beach, Fla., with an expected opening in late 2014.
Trader Joe’s confirmed to the Jacksonville Business Journal that it has signed a lease for a 12,500-s.f. space in the South Beach Regional Center at the intersection of state road A1A and J. Turner Butler Boulevard.
Real estate sources also have told the Journal that the California-based specialty grocer is scouting northeast Florida and south Georgia for sites for a large distribution center, up to 750,000 s.f., to support its growing retail footprint in the Southeast.
Equity One Inc., owner of the South Beach Regional Center, has filed plans with Jacksonville Beach to redevelop the center, demolishing a portion to add the box where Trader Joe’s will locate. Final approval of those plans by the Jacksonville Beach City Council is expected Oct. 21, according to the Journal.
Trader Joe’s has established a cult following, particularly for its house-label items—more than 3,000 of them, according to the company—like “cookie butter” made from ground-up Biscoff cookies, specialty condiments and an extensive beer and wine selection. The grocer places an emphasis on organic and high-quality items with no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
Trader Joe’s first entered Florida last year and currently has locations in Gainesville, Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa and South Florida.
