A Trader Joe’s in Houston
Online readers comment on “Trader Joe’s Is Trading on Texas: Dallas to Get First Store,” Eating Our Words blog, by Katharine Shilcutt, May 3:
Mark my words: Trader Joe’s will eventually dominate the shopping scene. Pound for pound, there is no better store. High quality, unique items and extremely reasonably priced products will have Central Market and Whole Foods scrambling and consumers asking, “Why were similar items costing me so much before?”
Et
Inexpensive and healthy: I think the reason reactions are muted is because most Houstonians don’t know what exactly they’ve been missing. It’s easy to think, “Meh, it’s another grocery store.” The real value is the Trader Joe’s-branded products — most are really high-quality and much lower priced than the equivalent commercial brand-label products sold in other grocery stores.
Most of the products are reasonably healthy. If you are the type of shopper who likes to eat healthy, likes a variety of ethnic foods and likes to save money, you will like Trader Joe’s and will find yourself shopping there often. I think Houston has enough of those people to make it profitable, especially in the neighborhood they are targeting.
Crystal
Only okay: I’ve lived in areas with Trader Joe’s and found them to be okay for selected items. It’s not a substitute for a proper grocery store. Houston boasts about some mediocre things, but one thing Houston is modest about is its excellent grocery stores. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed with TJ’s if their expectations are too high.
Bruce R
Just imagine: For those who are comparing Trader Joe’s to Central Market or Whole Foods, you’re not quite getting it. Imagine getting the same quality of natural, often organic foods for a fraction of the price. Imagine ethnic foods that are heat-and-eat and taste like the real deal, for $2 to $3 a serving. Imagine healthy snacks your kids and their soccer team will gobble up that won’t break your wallet.
The moms who drop serious bank at Whole Foods to ensure no high-fructose corn syrup or preservatives cross their little one’s lips are going to go apeshit for Trader Joe’s. As for me, I’m looking forward to finally being able to save some money on my grocery bill again, while eating better and healthier than I can on an HEB/Kroger budget.
Caroline
Criminy: Are 50 percent of the commenters on here actually paid spokespersons for Trader Joe’s? It’s nothing but an HEB “pantry store” that’s removed all the labels off the products and has been festooned with discontinued Pier One wall decor.
Bulk Nuts
Good deals: As an ex-Trader Joe’s employee (and a Minnesotan whose parents live in Houston), I know the good, bad and ugly when it comes to Trader Joe’s. Yes, Two Buck Chuck is not good. But it also helps otherwise non-wine drinkers start drinking wine. The store also has many Trader Joe’s-exclusive wine labels ranging from $40 to $20 that are steals compared to wine in similar price ranges available at Spec’s, Whole Foods and Central Market.
On to the cheese. The pricing on Parmigiano Reggiano alone will make you happy they are in town. Not to mention Saint Andre, three varieties of other triple crème Brie, Stilton, Gruyère and fresh Mozzarella. Do they have unique and local cheese? No. Can you get your staples for up to $5 per pound less than elsewhere? Hell, yes, you can.
Other things Trader Joe’s has at a ridiculous price discount compared to any other stores in Houston: nuts, nut butter, French soaps, organic frozen pizzas and enchiladas and vegetables, dried fruit, olive oil, saffron, dark chocolate, and national-brand soups packaged in Trader Joe’s private label, cutting the price in half.
Is Trader Joe’s part of my daily/weekly shopping ritual? No. Am I glad we have it in the Twin Cities area? Absolutely.
Kate Sommers
_____________________
Custody Case
Sensationalism: It is difficult to understand any father so willing to publicly air his and his ex-wife’s total dysfunction, and their desire to hurt each other using their own son [“Hide and Seek,” by Craig Malisow, April 21, 2011].
It is even more difficult to understand exactly who Craig Malisow thinks will wade through page after page of “he said, she said,” much less the horror Andrew will experience when he reads this article. His entire life, as well as his accusations of sexual abuse against his father, are now published for all the world to see.
This article is pure exploitation of a minor child. It’s time for Texas law to protect the names of juveniles in the media.
What is the Houston Press thinking? This is nothing but tabloid garbage, but these are real people. Hasn’t Andrew been hurt enough? Sickening.
The only reason this article was published? Andrew’s mother and father seem to have plenty of money to throw around in the process of destroying any chance he has to be normal.
There are thousands of minor children in this city that need our help, yet this is what makes the Press, and why? Sensationalism.
Anyone who has ever experienced the family court system knows that unless parents are willing to sacrifice their hatred of each other to raise their children, there is little chance the courts can help them, even if they can afford the best attorneys and luck out and get a good judge.
Mikal Hutto
Pasadena
_____________________
What a Whiner
Online readers comment on “Rick Perry Whines About Helping Tornado Victims,” Hair Balls blog, by Richard Connelly, April 29:
Totally unfair: The real story is our President ignoring Texas disaster for political reasons. Perry is just looking after Texas. Disasters aren’t defined just by how many have been killed. They are defined by how they affect those living there as well. No president has ever taken this long “to get back to you” on something like this. It is beyond the pale to ignore Texas because the President isn’t fond of us. That is the story.
Kathleen McKinley
Doesn’t compare: The big difference between the Texas wildfires and the tornado damage in the South is that entire communities have been wiped out. Even though there has been significant property damage and some loss of life here in Texas, it does not compare to the level of destruction that the South has experienced from the massive storm and tornado outbreak last week. Rick Perry needs to quit whining and put things into perspective. The South’s needs are currently greater than ours.
Kiki
Please: Perry has repeatedly said he does not want any federal money, he bragged about having a budget surplus during his election and he talked about seceding from the union. We are blessed not to have a loss of life! And he whines…
Somhotmama
This article appears in May 12-18, 2011.