Spokane’s Trader Joe’s opens, while the popular chain considers going upscale
![[Friedman, Gary -- B581643664Z.1 MONTROSE, CALIF. - OCTOBER 25 , 2011: Eric Shimp, a contractor for the stucco and trim, photographs a new Trader Joe's in Montrose on October 25, 2011. The new store is opening on Oct. 28th and replacing another older La Crescenta Trader Joe's. (Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times)] *** [] (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)](https://thumb.spokesman.com/CIjbJOGD0JLo7eyBeiaRAPIZSeg=/810x0/media.spokesman.com/photos/2011/10/28/65681510.jpg)
Friday was Day One of Life with Trader Joe's, in Spokane. The word from those at Lincoln Heights Shopping Center was that the first few hours were busy and ebullient. People actually seemed happy to be spending money, was the word we heard.
Here's an update from the LA Times on the California trendy-market's new plunge into larger and more stylish stores. The Spokane store is just over 10,000 square feet, which is the typical small but not overpacked design for a TJ's.
The newest store plopped into the California community of Montrose is nearly 15,000 square feet and, as the story notes, boasts more spacious aisles, higher ceilings and a trim brick-and-glass exterior.
No one from the SR business desk went to Trader Joe's opening day. We took advantage, however, of an early option to visit the store before it opened.
Congratulations to Spokane, you've gotten what you wanted.
(Photo credit: Gary Friedman/LA Times)
