The Mayor and Council President report that Trader Joes is seriously considering a store at the Landing right now. You can help by letting them know they are wanted!
Please click the link below, and register your support with them. Also, tell everyone in my comment section that you want to see them in town… I’ll make sure they see your comments!
Thanks,
Randy
Here is the note from the Mayor and Council President:
> It’ worth a try. Let’s get the word out!
>
> Marcie
>
> ————– Forwarded Message: ————–
> From: denislaw@comcast.net
> To: denislaw@comcast.net (Denis Law)
> Subject: Trader Joe’s
> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:49:52 +0000
>
> We understand that the developers of The Landing are having additional
> discussions with Trader Joe’s about locating a store here in Renton, and there
> is some interest. They recommend those who would like to see a Trader Joe’s to
> fill out a simple “vote” to register your support. Feel free to encourage your
> neighbors and others to also vote:
>
> http://traderjoes.com/location_requests_form.aspx
>
> Thanks.
Denis
Just Don’t Bad Mouth Burien . . . . .
The rumor is that they are afraid that a Renton store would take away from Burien, so don’t say how you want a Renton store so you don’t have to go to Burien anymore!!
Re: Just Don’t Bad Mouth Burien . . . . .
I knew about that, so I was careful how I phrased my response to that concern. My letter is below.
I would like to toss in a (what is hopefully yet another) request to see a Trader Joe’s open at the new Landing development in downtown Renton.
I understand that the Trader Joe’s company is somewhat hesitant to consider a new location in Renton due to its Burien store’s relative lack of prosperity. However, unlike Burien, Renton:
1. Has been making substantial progress over the past 10 years in restoring its older areas–first the downtown revitalization, then the Landing, and now there’s a planned redevelopment of the Highlands neighborhood adjacent to the Landing.
2. Is attracting numerous young professionals. Because of its proximity to several major freeways (405, I-90, I-5, and highway 167), it has become a popular spot to find affordable housing with low taxes within reasonable commuting distance to different urban centers (Bellevue/Redmond/Kirkland, Seattle, Kent.)
3. Is attracting numerous young professionals starting families. My husband and I are a case-in-point–we wanted something close to work, and as public servants we needed something affordable. We wanted a community to raise our children in, a true community and not a bunch of people that see each other as they’re pulling out of their garages. Renton has made all of that possible.
4. Is connected to nature in a unique way due to the river that runs through the city, where on any given day, one might see a beaver swimming, a heron looking for dinner, or salmon making their way to their spawning grounds. We citizens tend to enjoy this, and this gives us a desire to seek to minimize our impact on said nature through healthier and more environmentally sustainable foods. Trader Joe’s, of course, is a great source for both, and a place I’ve loved to shop since I was growing up in Southern California.
Therefore, I encourage you to seriously look at locating a store in the Landing development in Renton. We would all welcome you with open arms, eager for your wonderful selection and unbeatable prices.
–Living in WA
Re: Just Don’t Bad Mouth Burien . . . . .
Exactly. I told them that I don’t shop at the Burien store because it’s too far away — which is true.
Competition
The other location that TJ’s is considering is on Bellevue’s auto row. Bellevue is moving all the dealerships out of there in the next few years and are in the process of turning NE 8 and 10th into one way streets – like a traffic circle over the freeway.
Re: Competition
Bellevue might as well be Burien or Lynnwood for that matter due to the distance away in terms of miles and travel time. Who drives that far for ANY groceries?
Re: Competition
I’m not sure where you get the idea that Bellevue is planning on doing one-way streets like that — no plan I have seen for downtown Bellevue has shown that. Could you cite your source?
Re: Competition
A lot of heavy-duty city planning is kept in the dark for two really good reason and one evil one. If the plans are kept off the table, then the idea can be kicked around without a bunch of problems if the plan falls through. In addition, it keeps the speculators at bay.
The third reason – it allows the cronies of whoever is planning the change to speculate and buy up potentially beneficial pieces of land.
I know of two situations – the I-90 lid and the north/south freeway in Spokane where friends of city hall made out like bandits by buying up the land where the interchanges were planned.
When NASCAR was planning to put in a track in Bremerton – you should have seen the trades going on. Not sure it it’s still going on….
do whatever u can to brin them here randy! WE NEED TRADER JOES!
And the Winner is (or will be) . . . . .
. . . . Cascade Shopping Center!! Yup. Think about it: We get a Trader Joe’s and Cascade is revitalized in one broad stoke.
Seriously, imagine the service area: Kent, Fairwood, Renton, Maple Valley, Black Diamond . . . . . all shopping at The Joe’s.
Perfect spot.
And everyone wins.
Yes, a trader Joes in Renton would be a great addition to our city. The whole Kennydale neighborhood has been waiting for this for a long time.
Vicki
Understand that Trader Joe’s is considering locating a store in Renton’s “Landing”. That is great news. Currently we have to
go to Burien or Overlake in Bellevue to shop at a Trader Joe’s.
Faye
If the city is serious about revitalizing downtown a Trader Joe’s would be great in the old Salvation Army store on 3rd St. Right in the middle of downtown with it’s own parking.
We need a Trader Joes in Renton! The landing would be perfect fit. If not the landing then somewhere else in Renton.
Lets make it happen
That will be great!
We think a Trader Joe’s located at The Landing would be very welcome and an excellent location!