trader joe's.

[jdubwaldo]

  Except they can't sell wine without jumping through a bunch of hoops, which is sort of what drives much of the excitement about it.

[jdubwaldo]

Omaha beats us to it..... 
This is a good sign though, right!?! They are expanding and coming our way at least.....

[KCPowercat]

after caring about TJs for awhile, I'm come to realize when they do land here it will be so far away from the city I'll never go there.....so either way for me anymore.

[ignatius]

The kcgroceryservice.com TJ service might actually be reducing KCs chances.  TJ's doesn't need to invest a dime yet has a presence.

[jdubwaldo]

Is WP Mall too far out?

I need to check out kcgroceryservice!

[chrizow]

TJ's opening in KC is not an if, but a when and where.  i'd be curious to know where the omaha goods are being distributed from.  

i'm with Dave on "buying local" though.  TJ's isn't that great for the basics, but it's good for specific items like cheap bags of thai-flavored cashews and the like.  it's cheaper and better and fulfilling to get your eggs and produce and whatnot at the nearest farmers market.

[mudjack]

The kcgroceryservice.com TJ service might actually be reducing KCs chances.  TJ's doesn't need to invest a dime yet has a presence.

I'm sure kcgroceryservice.com is great, but it can't give them anywhere close to the business they will have when they build here.

[NDTeve]

In reading Meg Whitman's (former Ebay CEO) book...she discusses the grocery delivery business..Interesting that she states that it is a unique business in that the more clients you have...the less profitable it becomes.

[mean]

So what is the deal with TJ's? What magical shit do they have that nobody else has? It seems to have been touched on, but as far as I can tell it's mostly processed crap for wannabe epicurean yuppies.

[DaveKCMO]

So what is the deal with TJ's? What magical shit do they have that nobody else has? It seems to have been touched on, but as far as I can tell it's mostly processed crap for wannabe epicurean yuppies.

or "stuff white people like" 

[chrizow]

So what is the deal with TJ's? What magical shit do they have that nobody else has? It seems to have been touched on, but as far as I can tell it's mostly processed crap for wannabe epicurean yuppies.

for me, it's that they sell things that are often expensive - like nuts - for cheap.  like, you can get a giant bag of awesome cashews, almonds, etc. for about $4 (compare at $8/lb).  cheese too - they have great cheeses that are way cheap.  they also have some nice flavors of granola and the like.  they have some decent, eclusive options in the frozen category that will do in a pinch - pupusas, pierogis, dumplings, etc., all inexpensive.  they have great deals on wine (but, oddly, not beer).  we have historically really enjoyed their jarred curry sauces as well - if you add a couple of your own spices, they are great and an easy dinner to throw together with whatever veggies or meat you have around.  

[nilsson1941]

Well, I think we ALL can agree that it is not VITAL that TJ comes to KC. There is, however, a market for things that aren't completely necessary to human survival. I don't really give a shit about TJ, but some people do, for some reason. This is what merits SOME PEOPLE getting excited about it coming to KC.

Plus, they have pretty cheap alcohol.

[mgsports]

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/29/19 ... omaha.html

[nilsson1941]

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/29/19 ... omaha.html

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!! THEY OPEN A TJ IN OMAHA AND NOT IN KC!!!

[jdubwaldo]

Im also all about buying local, but they also have amazing coffee and good quickie prepared salads, etc that are healthy options.

[LenexatoKCMO]

So what is the deal with TJ's? What magical shit do they have that nobody else has? It seems to have been touched on, but as far as I can tell it's mostly processed crap for wannabe epicurean yuppies.

Gourmet ingredients cheap - its like a dean and deluca except everything is a cheap house brand. 

[mean]

Huh. I wonder how that works. It's not like they're so big that they can dictate prices like Wal-Mart.

[LenexatoKCMO]

Huh. I wonder how that works. It's not like they're so big that they can dictate prices like Wal-Mart.

The bulk of the stuff is sold under their own label, so I think they are cutting out some middle men - probably more than anything, its a reflection of just how much mark up there is on that sort of stuff.  I think the natural instinct in selling that stuff, is to go for a luxury image, swanky store, low volume and mark up the price as much as possible.  TJ's is saying screw it, we are going to sell it in volume, out of a down-market store, often in a cheap rent building, in the cheapest packaging we can find, with little to no marketing,

[loftguy]

Huh. I wonder how that works. It's not like they're so big that they can dictate prices like Wal-Mart.

The way it was explained to me, TJ's is a highly efficient operation.  It's owned by relatives of the German owners of Aldi stores.  They don't force low prices by raping and bullying their suppliers, but rather they seek value and create it, and they've been doing it for 40+ years. 

That model really messes with their competition

[AJoD]

They don't force low prices by raping and bullying their suppliers, but rather they seek value and create it, and they've been doing it for 40+ years.

Anecdotal, but from what I've heard, they do squeeze their suppliers pretty hard.