15 Fun Facts About Trader Joe's

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

Trader Joe's was named after the store's founder, Joe Coulombe.

No two Trader Joe's have the same artwork. How cool is that?! Source: Instagram users powerpoppins and only1kimberland

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

Any item, no questions asked. Source: It's Always Sunny in New York

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

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

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

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

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

In addition to the crazy assortment of brews Trader Joe's carries, it also has its own brewing company. Source: Instagram user proper_pour

Source: Instagram user rosemineo

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

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.

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