Trader Joe’s hosted a grand opening celebration of its Tampa, Fla., store on Friday—the company’s first store in the area. The 12,500-s.f. South Tampa store is located at 3808 West Swann Ave. and managed by Aimee Pawelek, who comes from Trader Joe’s in Knoxville, Tenn. She has been with the company for six years.
The store features festive décor, mixing traditional Trader Joe’s cedar-covered walls and Hawaiian-inspired elements with local flare, including art that celebrates the neighborhood, according to the Monrovia, Calif.-based grocer. Throughout the store, there are several hand-painted murals that pay homage to Plant Hall (the old Tampa Bay Hotel), Hillsborough River State Park, Ybor City, Clearwater Beach and more.
Trader Joe’s carries an array of domestic and imported foods and beverages, including artisan breads, Arabica bean coffees, international frozen entrées, 100% juices, fresh crop nuts, deli items, vitamins and more, as well as basic items like milk and eggs. Trader’s Joe’s offers more than 3,000 items under the Trader Joe’s private label, which includes Trader José’s salsas, Trader Ming’s fried rice and Trader Giotto’s marinara sauces in addition to other specially purchased items. Additionally, the grocer introduces approximately a dozen new items each week.
Trader Joe’s has more than 400 stores in 39 states.
In the feature photo at top: The produce section of Trader Joe’s, which opened in south Tampa last week. (Photo by Cliff McBride, The Tampa Tribune)
