Thursday, January 20, 2011
Trader Joe's, Whole Foods "Looking" at Huntsville
If you missed it at last night's packed Economic Development Summit, I can now confirm that Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, two of the most desired retail stores among Huntsvillians, are scouting the area for new stores. While there isn't a set location for either chain yet, and won't be for a while, you can look at their locations in other cities and see where they locate-- mostly in high-wealth, relatively high-density neighborhoods. The closest Huntsville has to this kind of environment is the area bounded by 565 to the north, Airport to the south, and the Parkway to the west. Another potential location with the right ingredients is Providence.
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10 comments:
Would love to see Trader Joe's. Great news!
There is already an Earth Fare close to Providence. We really need a Whole Foods in south Huntsville. I love Fresh Market but it is not a whole foods store.
It would be nice to see something out 72E side of town. We are really needing something out here.
If I had to pick a location for Whole Foods I'd stick it over the hill in Jones Valley if a big enough site can be found. It's close to south Huntsville without being on top of Fresh Market and Publix, while still able to serve Hampton Cove.
For TJ's, Providence would be a fit but the 6 or 7 TJ's I've been to tend to not be in such a high profile development -- rather *near* it. They might pick the lot next to the CVS on 72 or something similar.
We could also see a TJs as an out-parcel in Bridge Street. I don't think Bridge Street can support a full grocery store, but a specialty grocery like TJs could work.
I don't see south Huntsville or 72E getting either. 72E really does need more (what IS happening with that big development?).
Oh wow, Nicole, I can only pray that they'll build a grocery store over here. I live near bridge street in an apartment and I have to drive 10 miles just about to get to any grocery store...and i'd just rather not grocery shop at Target.
Bridge Street area would be terrific for Trader Joe's. Easy to get to for nearby residential communities as well as the many employees in Research Park that could pick up either lunch or groceries before heading home. Easy access from Redstone arsenal as well. They're not a HUGE supermarket, so they don't need the large real estate as a Kroger's or Publix. Between Hughes and County Line Rd would also serve a lot of customers. The quality, selection, and value of Trader Joe's is truly unsurpassed. Whole Foods is great, but, as they call it in Atlanta: "Whole Paycheck".
Let me repeat this: Whole Foods and Trader Joe's locate in high-wealth and high-density neighborhoods; not one or the other, but both. Madison and most of West Huntsville (sans Providence) are examples of high-wealth and low-density, and there is very little chance of either store coming to that part of town. Bridge Street isn't even in a residential neighborhood, so it's out of the question as well. That's just how it is.
Jones Valley would be a great area, especially with Lendon being built--the "Providence of South Huntsville." Providence is already covered by Earth Fare. North Huntsville needs to stop hogging all the good food! :P SO tired of driving 45 minutes to get groceries...
We sure could use Trader Joe's in Hampton Cove!!! Sue
We sure could use Trader Joe's in Hampton Cove!!! Sue
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