Trader Joe’s

Ahhhh the coconut cranberry granola has been discontinued! Never fear they are looking for a new distributor, so it might be back.
Came here last night with the family… it was a BC holiday, so the store was packed. Despite the craziness and the emptying of shelves the employees were still super friendly and helpful. 5 stars for the great service, 3.5 stars because I never come home with everything on my shopping list.

As I don’t have many other TJ’s to compare this location to, this one is pretty great with little complaints. The workers are always busy re-​stocking shelves and in a good mood! They’re always helpful if you’re looking for an item or looking a little lost.
I’ve come across many great items and many items that were great and others just OK. Every time I go I grab at least a couple things I’ve never tried before to see if they make it on my must-​buy-​again list. This list includes (and is not limited to) organic chopped kale, mushroom/​asparagus frozen risotto, frozen mochi, half salted pistachios, pink lemonade, yogurt, many of their spices and olive oils, and the list goes on. You can’t miss the crunchy cookie butter! I love their Fearless Flyer especially during the holidays with their seasonal items so every year around the beginning of December is a must-​go for me!
One thing they need to work on is their washroom. There are two individual washrooms for this location (which is also shared with staff members I think). The one time I had to use it I waited about 10 minutes as the long-​up was quite long. Unlikely anything can be done to fix this but would be nice.
Other than that definitely recommended if you’ve never been as they have lots of fun food items at affordable prices. A regular customer over here.

TJ’s is awesome. Excellent quality and price for produce and organic foods. This only gets rated down to three stars because it’s really tough to navigate with the high volume of human traffic inside the store and auto traffic in the parking lot. This place is a destination shopping trip (like a vacation or something) for Canadians, so be kind to our friendly neighbors to the north. But, if you don’t feel like bumping carts with strangers, I’d recommend going elsewhere for your shopping needs on the weekends.

Awesome value in fresh produce, cheese and wine! For some reason people think this store is expensive (??) Not only are the employees at Trader Joe’s wonderfully knowledgeable, they’re quick to assist you in any way they can. From recommendations and preorders to offering suggestions on ways to make your dollar go further! There is always something truly delightful in the frozen isle that is BOTH healthy and wholesomely filling as dinner for a busy professional. Their wines are a true delight in taste and cost-​many are exclusive! Grab a French red or pair their amazing Spanish Tapa Cheese Trio with a bold Malbec from Spain or Argentina. Their salad mixes are flavorful (Sorrento Mix, mmm) and make planning a big dinner easy. Some even come with their own additions– Pepitas, cranberries, blue cheese! Their sushi selection is a great quick eat too! If you’re looking for a gift of sweets or artesian level chocolates, you will be in heaven, and not because you died from the cost! Awesome, awesome value. Constantly offering products that are unavailable at other stores. I absolutely adore the Plantain Chips, especially when needing the Paleo crunch fix. Pair with the Mediterranean hummus and call it perfection. They have insanely marvelous health food, and are completely dairy/​gluten free friendly. Can’t say good enough things. Oh yes! Don’t forget their seasonal offerings. I’ve won many a heart with their pumpkin cinnamon rolls. Shh, our secret. Go early or late to avoid mayhem in the parking lot!

Yeah, wines can be had for cheap. Never heard of most of the cheap brands though. Some of the wines can be had for like $ 2 – 3 US, or about $ 50 Canadian, lol. Ok, not $ 50 but add a good 45% to the price plus time, and taxes at the Cdn Border. And that’s not even knowing if the wine taste like vinegar.
Me thinks all this Trader Joes nonsense is simply hype for people who want to be trendy. Besides, I am never a fan of any product or merchant that doesn’t disclose where the product is made from, especially from whom. We never follow the crowds or trends. There are way too many Canadian sheepies here following the crowds trying to fit in with their colleagues and friends despite the record low canadian dollar. The ironic thing is most Canadians shopping here have no idea how to correctly calculate the exchange rate. They are fooling themselves into thinking they’re paying less than they actually are. Of course, this is no fault of TJ’s, just a reflection of the typical Canadian cross border shopper.
Virtually everything here is branded Trader Joe’s. All of the processed food including frozen foods look very delicious and beautiful with their fancy pictures; however, It’s very pricey too. The question to ask is it healthy and where is it made? TJ is in the USA and they have different food laws than in Canada. They are allowed to sell irradiated food and gmo foods. Is the packaging accurate?
I haven’t found the price of dairy or oil inexpensive here either. Parking is a nightmare, With the exception of the deep discounted unknown wines, I see no purpose in shopping here.

Everything you need in a supermarket. Some prices seem high to me but the 2 buck chuck wines are definitely a steal. The question on my mind is, «Are you a believer?» For the trader joe faithfuls, the answer is a thunderous Amen. For me, it’s a so so.

After reading some of these reviews it’s a lot more clear as to the reasons I have to give this place 3 stars. It is absolutely packed 100% of the time, and if you drive fruitlessly around the parking lot that is much too small for the amount of customers they get, you will not see a single Washington license plate. Constant chaos and good luck finding milk anywhere (thanks Canada). On the corner of a pretty busy intersection and difficult to enter or exit.

Tangerines, sea salt caramels, tasty salads, salted pb pretzels, 2 buck or five buck chuck, wreaths, those delicious pea crisp things; all these things tj’s gives to me, along with a partridge in a pear tree. Minus those last two, those only exist in song, guess I was feeling Christmasy and hopefully no one was offended. Oy. Tj’s has a great selection of nuts and trail mixes, too. I pretty much love it all, but I may just be euphoric after my visit as their closest store to us back home is 3 hrs away and I haven’t been to one for oh, 9 or 10 months!

I like almost everything about Trader Joe’s, with one problem: Don’t get too attached to any one product, because sometimes — even often — things disappear and never return. It can be frustrating.

I love Trader Joe’s! I would give 5 stars if it wasn’t so chaotic. This location is frequently packed and you might have a panic attack just from trying to find a parking spot in the incredibly too-​tiny parking lot. Good luck making your way through the tiny aisles of the store jam packed with shoppers. Lots of Canadians come here on the weekends. If you can handle the crowd, I find it to be worthwhile to stop here once or twice per month to fill up on groceries. They have unique items and very reasonable prices for the quality. You absolutely cannot beat the cheese and wine deals!

Consistently slightly upscale quality from traditional large chain supermarkets. Some fun gourmet and health foods. Better quality items are less expensive than at the supermarket. I find getting my coffee and grinding at at Trader Joes as well as buying my extra sharp Canadian cheddar for a few dollars less a than Fred Meyers despite its superior flavor are two regular purchases that are well worth the trip. Trader Joe’s has a large selection of gourmet cheeses at excellent prices. My favorite is the actor sharp cheddar aged over 2 years from Canada at $ 7.99. It has a nutty richness. The slightly granular texture with an acidic bite is addictive. Triple cremes (St. Andre and bleu), chevre, and standard fare are all of superior quality at discounted prices. The triple ginger snaps are killer. My ex husband lied when he said size doesn’t matter. I get the biggest banana for $ 0.19. The smallest banana costs $ 0.19 and quality is consistent big or small so i go big… and its the same price I was paying 10 years ago. Seasonal items can be exceptional… holiday items are starting to appear so I’ll be picking up the sipping chocolate in the tin and it should last me a year. One cannot beat their greeting cards for $ 0.99. They’re located at the entrance and near the restrooms. The wine selection and prices are great! Some bottles carried exclusively by Trader Joe’s are half the cost as comparable bottles at other stores. The one difference here as compared to other Trader Joe’s is that at other Trader Joes I found very knowledgeable and helpful employees in the beer and wine section who always help me select a few bottles to match a specific occasion and food. Otherwise, Trader Joe’s … The same hip feel and friendliness follows the name from San Diego to Los Angeles to little Bellingham. Pretty soon Trader Joe’s will be bringing its annual flavors of Christmas throughout the United States. Buying select items there has become an important tradition for many years. Seems our Canadian neighbors love it too.

Dont have this chain in Vancouver. We go here every time we come across the line. They have thier own brand of products that we find to be of very high quality. Along with unique products we end up bringing a good shopping list back with us upon return.

When I try to describe what a panic attack feels like to my less anxious friends I tend to use Bellingham Trader Joe’s as an example that everyone can relate to. You are just trying to live your life, going grocery shopping, when suddenly you can’t breath because there are too many people in your personal space, you can’t escape because the isles are clogged by carts, and you experience constant fear that nice looking Canadian yuppy is going to knife you for the last box of everything crackers at any time.
Cons: The parking lot is tiny. People can’t seem be polite about common courtesy. Canadians take their time to pack their coolers with food items when a car is waiting to their spot. The isles are very small. The store is often very busy, and overcrowded. Popular items can sell out fast. Because you know, people must buy 15 jars of Organic Coconut Oil. As a business model products can be seasonal. That Salted Carmel Chai Latte Mix be gone next time you get to visit Trader Joe’s. They also don’t care all staple items like a normal grocery store.
Pros: You don’t need a six figure income to buy organic, or healthy items. The staff is helpful, and they seem to be happy to be working for the company. The items are unique. Who doesn’t see the value of a company that can makes organic hummus made from beets, or honey sesame cashews? This is the place to buy beautiful cut flowers without breaking the bank. The prepared frozen food has an ethnic flair that I like. The cleaning products/​beauty/​vitamin product isle tends to overlooked.
Tips: Avoid shopping on the weekends, or after 5 on weekdays. I like to go either right when they open and right before they close. Don’t be afraid to ask the staff a question. Maybe listen to a guided meditation prior to entering, or take a deep breath. Avoid all Canadian holidays. If you are Canadian, and plan on going further south on your shopping trip, you may want to check out other Trader Joe’s.

You only have to read Unilocal reviews of Trader Joe’s in Bellingham to see how significant their Canadian customers are in terms of shoppers. Of the most recent reviews 8 of 10 are from residents of Canada and the proportion is consistent as the number of reviews grows.
I was not aware that Canada imposed a ban on raw poultry in January and perhaps I should have been. However, Trader Joes would certainly have known and the slightest bit of consideration would have been to have signage or provide a verbal warning to customers, particularly if multiple purchases were made.
Instead, they continue to let unsuspecting customers make purchases they know will be confiscated at the border. Profit at the expense of customer service.
I sent a communication to Trader Joes a few weeks ago and despite their automated response that they «value» feedback and would respond I have not had any response.

I have to physically stop myself from buying All The Things. Not only are there limits of what I can bring back to Canada, but I also am so tempted by the great prices. The in-​store TJ brand is one that I trust for quality as well as value. I love that everything is well-​labelled (as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-​free, organic, etc.).
To buy everytime:
— Powerberries: chocolate-​covered berry and fruit juice bits
— Chocolate-​covered peanut butter pretzels: they are salty, and sweet, and have a bit of a crunch. I have to stop myself from eating the whole bag.
Other tasty things I’ve tried:
— Pineapple salsa
— Peanut butter cups
— Spinach and artichoke dip (frozen)

What’s not to like about TJ’s? Amazing selection of everything from produce to dairy to meat, and quite possibly the best freezer and cheese sections ever. And do I even need to mention the wine? If you like good vino but have a light budget, you’ve come to the right place. Now if only parking wasn’t such a nightmare!

The best part of cross border shopping is Trader Joe’s. I’ve been shopping here with the guy I am dating for 4 years now. Most of their products are gluten free and have very low sugar. Their food is made with less chemicals and fillers. The prices are extremely reasonable for what they are. They have the best brand of products. The store is medium size and gets very crowded with other Vancouverities on the same mission. It’s like being on Commercial Drive… just across the border. It’s hipster food heaven. Whenever I’ve needed help they have the best customer service and patience. My favorite things to get, in addition to the staples:
cheese munchies (gluten free)
coconut milk — This is the only brand that I’ve seen that has the regular milk as sugar free.
mini brie cheese packs
frozen macaroons
fruit dried fruit
skin care products
Biotin
chia
corn soup
natural tooth paste
Quinoa brown rice pasta — gluten free and the cheapest I’ve seen anywhere.
Olive Oil Popcorn — so addicting. My best friend steals mine a lot when he comes to visit.

It’s hard not to over shop at Trade Joe’s. I always come with a grocery list, but somehow the grab and toss reflex action just occurs all too naturally.
My favorite items to buy are milk, cream, yogurt, butter, eggs, cheese, baking soda, baking powder, canned tomato, dried fruits and nuts. Quality is consistent and value is there. I’ve bought one-​off items such as frozen fish, precooked/​individually packed Indian food (awful), frozen corn, artichokes, whole organic chicken, bags of fresh apples, lemon, oranges, herbs, rice and spices, which are alright. The groceries here are significantly cheaper — I’d say up to 50% cheaper than the equivalent up in Canada. As much as I love the affordable prices I question the legitimacy of «organic products», which is essentially what the chain tries to market itself as. They seem too good to be true.
Aside from the products, the people who work there are very nice. Once I was waiting in line, a cashier called me over said he could help me. He approached me in the most gentle and kind way. If he’s from a cult soliciting Satan, I’d probably be converted. The other time a stocking staff spent quite some time checking the stock room for an item I was inquiring (which I don’t remember now what it was).
There are only two public washrooms in this store: one lady’s and one man’s. The wait can be painful but if you have a strong bladder, you’re fine.
Parking can be crazy just because you have desperate Vancouver, BC people doing the same thing you’re doing, believing you’re making a healthy eating choice by shopping here at a fraction of the cost compared to Whole Foods.

Trader Joe’s and Trader Joe’s alone is sometimes the only reason I take a trip over the border to Bellingham.
It’s a place I can get my specialty dips, meats, rice milk, chickpeas and chocolate all in one place. Did I mention it’s all organic and at a very reasonable price too? It really is!

I’ve had a lot of people ask me if I have been to Trader Joe’s. Yesterday, I went to check out the store for the first time in Bellingham and I had to drive through a quiet residential neighbourhood to get there.
From the outside, this location looked a lot like a Safeway from the 1970’s, though I didn’t come here for the outer appearance. Inside, it’s as big as a Safeway, but they sell similar products you would find at a store such as Whole Foods — organic, local, emphasis on fruits and vegetables, natural, whole grain, high fibre, gluten free, low sodium, etc. Since it’s a supermarket, they also sell have a bakery, meat, seafood section too.
Although I’m not totally sold on organic for everything, their organic produce is more affordable than a store such a Whole Foods, or what most people call it «Whole Paycheque». For the price for non-​organic elsewhere, you could get organic fruits or vegetables for a similar price at Trader Joe’s.
I picked up some of their store brand «green plant» juice with spirulina and barley grass, tomato basil marinara sauce, and eggs. I tried the green plant drink which looks like green lake water, but it tasted pretty good since it also contained a variety of fruit juices too.
They also sell alcoholic products such as wine and beer which somewhat surprised me because one would never find these products in a similar store in Canada — but I was in the U.S. and it’s a different country.
I can’t see myself driving all the way to Bellingham to shop at Trader’s Joe’s, but if I was in the area for some major shopping, I would definately make it trip to this place. The staff seemed friendly and the store has a nice laid back atmosphere to it — felt a bit like Hawaii.