Sarasota prepares for premiere Trader Joe's grand opening

Sarasotans are eagerly anticipating the opening of the area’s first Trader Joe’s grocery store Friday, Sept. 7. The sought-after store’s second Florida establishment, located at 4101 S. Tamiami Trail, will open its doors at 8 a.m. to what is expected to be a hefty turnout.

The new location will feature the familiar eclectic assortment of moderately-priced groceries and house-brand products. As an added personal touch, the store’s employees have painted the walls with Sarasota-themed murals, which include themes such as Siesta Key Beach, the Ringling Bros. Circus and the prominent local arts scene.

Linda Moffa, the store’s general manager, or “captain,” as the chain prefers to call them, expects a good crowd Friday and anticipates heavy traffic throughout the weekend.

A 32-year veteran of the company who has worked in more than 20 locations, Moffa says she’s looking forward to her eighth store opening, and she’s not surprised by the store’s cult following and subsequent hype surrounding its opening.

“Customers believe in our brand,” she says. “Probably 80% of what we carry has our own Trader Joe’s label, and they know there’s no artificial coloring or genetically modified foods. They know they’re getting a good, quality product at a great price, and they know they can find some of our more unique things.”

Moffa estimates that 50 employees will be on hand for the store’s opening, which is set to fit the store’s laid-back, Hawaiian-shirt-wearing theme and will include a lei cutting, hosted by Mayor Suzanne Atwell, face painting and a performance by the Sarasota High School Jazz Band.

The store’s regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Contact Nick Friedman at [email protected].

TRADER TRIVIA

Total number of Trader Joe’s stores: 370 in 34 states

Number of Florida locations: Two. One opened in February in Naples.

Most popular items: Joe’s Os cereal, Charles Shaw wine (Two-Buck Chuck) and frozen mandarin orange chicken

Bottles of ‘Two-Buck Chuck’ wine on hand: 21,600

Number of shopping carts: 150 and six kiddie carts

MEET MRS. MOFFA

Linda Moffa, general manager, or “captain,” at Sarasota’s premiere Trader Joe’s, is a veteran of the company and is excited to help open the new location.

Years with the company: 32. Moffa actually worked at the first Trader Joe’s location in Pasadena, Calif.

Born in: Virginia

Personal number of store openings: Eight

Number of locations she’s worked at: more than 20

Favorite part of the job: the atmosphere.

“(Trader Joe’s) really cares about their people,” said Moffa. “It’s a fun job; you get to use your creative minds, and the customers are fun. If I have to come someplace to work, I like this place. Plus, I get to wear a Hawaiian shirt and eat food.”

Trader Joe’s product she can’t live without: Milk chocolate peanut-butter cups and Tuscan Italian dressing. “I just can’t live without them.”