First Look: Trader Joe's in The Woodlands!!!

Folks, this past Friday, June 15th, Trader Joe's finally opened its first location in the Houston area.  They have big plans to expand around Texas.  However, until fall or winter of this year, there won't be a second location open.  I specifically chose to go in on a Monday early afternoon in order to avoid the mad house that the Houston Chronicle and fellow blogger HTownChowDown reported.  It was still fairly busy--4th day open and all--and it's opening was a long, long time coming to any transplants from an area that had one, and anyone who's been to one when travelling.  I came in during the early afternoon and while the business was brisk, I was able to try a number of the samples (the Vanilla Chai spiced coffee and the organic lemonade are WONDERFUL), and I was able to do some exploration as well.

Just FYI:  The location is off of Kuykendahl and The Woodlands Parkway--not close to I-45 at all.  You have to drive a couple of miles southwest of the exit on I-45 to get to it, where it is nestled in a nice shopping center that includes a gym, a Starbucks and a few other eateries and local businesses.

Dairy at Trader Joe's in the Woodlands

One of the things that impressed me included the very deliberate selection of locally sourced fruits, vegetables and organic dairy products.  As an Econ professor, I am all for specialty chains that support local businesses and entrepreneurs.  I saw Shiner, St. Arnold and Southern Star Beer right across from the 3 buck Chuck wine.  In the cheese aisle, they had a wide number of locally sources cheeses mixed in with other products from around the US and around the World.  I personally scooped up a nice block of Canadian white Cheddar

3 Buck Chuck and Craft Beer at Trader Joe's in the Woodlands

Legendary Vanilla Chai Spice Coffee

I grabbed a hand basket and begin perusing the produce and bread, selecting a TJs Multigrain bread to take home.  I also grabbed a box of multigrain Joe O's cereal and a block of Canadian White Cheddar.  I then stopped to try a sample of their Vanilla Chai Coffee and bought a can of the stuff to put into my breakfast rotations.  I also tried some cheese toast they made with their grainy mustard, organic Swiss cheese and great multigrain bread that made me wanna yodel, it was so good!  I washed that down with a sample of their organic lemonade.  I also pulled a jar of aioli garlic mustard sauce, a bag of TJ's salt vineagar Kettle Chips and a jar of the much sought after Cookie Butter.  I'm going to test it on my kids to see what they think of it. I have a feeling it may not last very long though.  I finished off my purchases with a bottle of 3 Buck Chuck Shiraz.  I wondered if they have a Chianti or Pinot Noir--I didn't find them in there, though they did have Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Merlot.

Robert DeNiro would
approve of this frozen Pizza

All in all the experience was pleasant--the staff remained upbeat and friendly despite the crowds and how hard they'd all been working.  I was overall pleased with the shopping experience and intend to come back in a month to try a few of their other items.  One item that was on my mind that I saw but did not buy was the frozen TJ's pizza that was imported from Italy.  Genuine pizza imported from Italy--even frozen--would hopefully be good.  Given what I have read about TJ's quality control and how they very carefully choose the businesses they partner with as suppliers, I am confident it is better than the run of the mill supermarket fare.  In any event, much like Whole Foods and Central Market, it seems this weary but happy food blogger has one more destination to add to his regular rotations.

Trader Joe's is located at:
10868 Kuykendahl Road
The Woodlands, TX 77381
281-465-0254
Trading Hours:
 Mon-Sun: 8am - 9pm

And Remember:
Eat Happy and Shop Happy!
Zao an, Y'all!!!