Trader Joe's Facts
15 Fun Facts About Trader Joe's
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It's no secret that Trader Joe's is the most amazing grocery store on earth. From its renowned cookie butter to its endless selection of beer and wine and its garden-fresh produce, Trader Joe's is a force to be reckoned with. Even though you've probably spent hundreds of hours scanning its aisles for new and exciting snacks, we've put together 15 fun and fascinating facts about Trader Joe's that you might not already know.
Source: Getty / Joe Readle
1 The First Trader Joe's Opened in Pasadena, CA, in 1967
It was originally called Pronto Markets, but the owner decided to go with something a little catchier beginning in 1967.
Source: The Sky Is Big in Pasadena
2 There's a Real Trader Joe
Trader Joe's was named after the store's founder, Joe Coulombe.
3 Each Store Has an In-House Artist
No two Trader Joe's have the same artwork. How cool is that?!
Source: Instagram users powerpoppins and only1kimberland
4 The Reason Why Employees Wear Hawaiian Shirts
As if we need any explanation for why the employees at Trader Joe's wear Hawaiian shirts, there actually is a reason. According to the Trader Joe's website, employees wear Hawaiian shirts ". . . because we're traders on the culinary seas, searching the world over for cool items to bring home to our customers. And when we return home, we think grocery shopping should be fun, not another chore. So just relax and leave your worries at the door. We'll sail those seven seas, you have some fun with our finds at your neighborhood Trader Joe's."
Source: Instagram user vacationshirt
5 Its Return Policy Is Awesome
Any item, no questions asked.
Source: It's Always Sunny in New York
6 Stores Use Bells Instead of a PA System
According to the Trader Joe's website, the bell rings work like Morse code: "One bell lets our Crew know when to open another register. Two bells mean there are additional questions that need to be answered at the checkout. Three bells call over a manager-type person. Honestly, it's much easier than the ole message in a bottle trick."
Source: Consumption, Culture, & Identity
7 Ginger Snaps Are the Most Purchased Product at Trader Joe's
Coming in a close second place is Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter and in third Joe-Joe's cookies. Click here to see all the top Trader Joe's products of 2014.
Source: Instagram user mattwinbun
8 There's a Hidden Toy in Each Store
Although this hasn't been confirmed by anyone affiliated with Trader Joe's, we'd like to think this is the store's way of helping out parents who bring their kids along when grocery shopping.
Source: Mommy Vegas & the Naptime Gnome
9 Trader Joe's Products Don't Contain Any Bad Stuff
All products made by Trader Joe's do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. You also won't find any Trader Joe's products with GMOs (genetically modified organisms).
Source: Minnesota From Scratch
10 There's a Trader Joe's Fan Club
Although it's not directly affiliated with the grocery store, the Trader Joe's Fan Club started in 2006 and has over 9,000 recipes. Its website has recipes and even product reviews.
Source: Instagram user eatrite4life
11 It Has Its Own Beer!
In addition to the crazy assortment of brews Trader Joe's carries, it also has its own brewing company.
Source: Instagram user proper_pour
12 80% of Trader Joe's Products Are Its Own
Source: Instagram user rosemineo
13 It Has a Try-Before-You-Buy Policy
This might be the most useful of all these fun facts. If you ask an employee, they will open any item off the shelf so you can taste it before you decide if you want to buy it. We should warn you, though, alcohol is not part of the try-before-you-buy policy.
Source: Instagram user kimmmiesooo
14 There's a Trader Joe's Cookbook
Put together by two members of the Trader Joe's Fan Club, Cooking With All Things Trader Joe's ($19) contains countless recipes that are made up of ingredients and products that can be found at every Trader Joe's.
15 Two Buck Chuck Is Crazy Popular
Trader Joe's ridiculously cheap deal on Charles Shaw wine is commonly known around town as Two Buck Chuck. It probably won't come as a surprise that the stores have sold over 600 million bottles of Charles Shaw. That's a whole lotta wine.
Source: Instagram user linds_lup
