[Lotsa] Pizzabilities at Trader Joe's?

Robin....I kind of think of it as a pasta shop....thus the name. They have tons of frozen and dried pastas, many more than any other kind of product that they carry. They do have a nice assortment of "ethnic" type foods, but I think of it primarily as an Italian pasta (and cheese) place.

Whoa, let's back it up, we are not talking about The cupcake Shoppe in St. Matthews, he was referring to another shop in town that bakes and sells cupcakes. Just clarifying that statement.

I saw that sign last week and thought the same thing. I'd bet it was a poke in the eye at Lotsa Pasta.

Frankly, though, I don't get the whole Trader Joe's thing. It's interesting but I can't see myself shopping there on a regular basis. Like Whole Foods, I think it's way overpriced. I've never been to a Trader Joe's before, but for all the pre-opening hype I was surprised at how small the place is.

I will give them credit for a couple of things, though. The adjoining wine store seems to be very reasonable. Also, the staff is very friendly

I'm not buying it...

Nothing that I've ever read or heard about Trader Joe's involves 'let's put the little guy outta business.' In fact, look at thier shelves- they promote the small guy.

This is a great market for thier wares- a smart move to open a location here. But I'm with Robin, spend more at Lotsa Pasta- love that place, but nothing against Trader Joes. They employ locals, as well and I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

It's a win-win and given in the appropriate proportions, I think.

Brian- still a troll. You've learned nothing and you do us all a great injustice while making yourself look more the donkey. Snide pot-shots do not qualify as contribution, get over yourself.

Well my first reaction is that its just an unfortunate coincidence.That said,Ive never been into the Trader Joes, so I dont have a great frame of reference.
Also of interest...I noticed Robin reached his 12000th post in this thread.

... for all the pre-opening hype I was surprised at how small the place is.

My wife and I were both surprised at how BIG this one is. It's a fair bit larger than the ones we'd normally shopped at in Phoenix and Columbus, OH.

... for all the pre-opening hype I was surprised at how small the place is.

My wife and I were both surprised at how BIG this one is. It's a fair bit larger than the ones we'd normally shopped at in Phoenix and Columbus, OH.

And it's small compared to the one in Nashville, which is weird.

[Robin Garr]

My wife and I were both surprised at how BIG this one is. It's a fair bit larger than the ones we'd normally shopped at in Phoenix and Columbus, OH.

TJ's model, as I understand it, is to go small and neighborhoody, always using renovated space, never a new free-standing building. From what I know of their outlets in California, a former A&P property in Clifton or the Inner Highlands would have been more their style.

My wife and I were both surprised at how BIG this one is. It's a fair bit larger than the ones we'd normally shopped at in Phoenix and Columbus, OH.

TJ's model, as I understand it, is to go small and neighborhoody, always using renovated space, never a new free-standing building. From what I know of their outlets in California, a former A&P property in Clifton or the Inner Highlands would have been more their style.

The Los Angeles Times had an interesting story recently about how Trader Joe’s has been opening larger stores while trying to keep its "quirky" feel and not alienate its current customers.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/26 ... s-20111027

I don't see Trader Joe's having any significant impact on Lotsa Pasta. TJs sells upscale TV dinners and chips made from moss - I wouldn't lose a minutes sleep over that.

I'm not buying it...

Nothing that I've ever read or heard about Trader Joe's involves 'let's put the little guy outta business.' In fact, look at thier shelves- they promote the small guy.

Hook, line, and sinker. As I marketing guy I give them props, but at the end of the day there is someone somewhere (presumably not wearing a hawaiian shirt) whose responsibility it is to grow YoY revenue and increase market share for that store (and likely others). And if the store undreperforms relative to whatever metrics (likely comprable sized start-ups in other cities among others) TJs analyzes...he will likely be fired or at least, as we corporate folks like to say, "on the RADAR". Friends, take it from an expert...there are only two ways to make your piece of the pie bigger...take a bigger piece and leave others with less or grow the pie. Only a fool would bank entirely on the later. I'm not knocking TJs for this..I guess I'm just pointing out that if you have a problem with this form of capitalism your confidence in TJs is misplaced.

They employ locals, as well and I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

On second thought, I'm not going to swing at this.

To my previous pont, my GF went to TJs on opening day (temporary insanity? Who the hell knows...) and called and told me not to stop off at Lotsa Pasta for our supplies for Big Green Egg homemade pizza night. She had it "covered". Heh. Some of you may remember that I had posted (Louisville kitchen forum) about how much I love Lotsa Pasta as a source for pizza supplies (fresh mozz and other cheeses, pepperoni, etc.). Well, she comes home with a prepackaged bag of Mozz that had the texture of rice grains, cheap pepperoni, etc. Needless to say the pizzas were no where near as good as usual and the price was really the same. Just sayin'.