By Gus Saltonstall
The Upper West Side Trader Joe’s near the corner of West 72nd Street and Broadway will reopen to the public on Saturday, September 12, at 8 a.m., store spokesperson Nakia Rohde confirmed to West Side Rag in an email on Thursday.
“Trader Joe’s Crew Members are ready to welcome customers back to their neighborhood store,” Rohde wrote.
The popular grocery store has been closed for renovations since May 18. During the closure, Trader Joe’s updated the elevators and escalators, along with the refrigeration systems.
On Thursday, Trader Joe’s employees were seen going into the West 72nd Street location.
We’ll see if there is a line on Saturday morning.
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I was so hoping they were going to fix the layout of the store so you wouldn’t have to fight through a massive line just to grab what you want to buy
The layout is still much as it was, but the aisles are several feet wider. You will need some time to locate your favorites (some are where they were, or close to where they were; some are not). But the staff is still amazingly cheerful and patient and seems genuinely glad to be back. And those favorites (85% dark chocolate, cruciferous crunch, etc.) are waiting for you. Some of the prices are a little higher but,
compared to the many other neighborhood supermarkets, affordable.
@julia davis: were you as bothered as I was by the off-gassing formaldehyde from the new wood shelving? I don’t recall anything being wrong with the old shelves, guess they just needed to add more needless waste to a landfill in some far away land?
Formaldehyde? By the time of my second visit (Tuesday night) there was none. Nor was there much of anything at all let to sell.
@ simon: There’s pretty much no way around that given the number of people that shop there. What I do wish they’d do something about is the the folks that get on line with an empty cart, and constantly step off and rejoin the line to do their shopping as the line progresses around the store. That slows things down for those that actually do their shopping before getting on line.
No, it doesn’t slow the line down. They are only shopping for all the products they need that are blocked by you and the line. Just breathe and relax. It’s all good!
How does it slow anything down? You’ll reach the front of the line – which is the only thing that matters – at the same time, whether or not the person in front of you is shopping.
I disagree that it slows things down. The only way you are slowed on your way to a cashier is if the person at the front of the line pauses before going to the register they are told is open. If someone 20 people back leaves the lone, even if a gap opens in front of them while they are gone, they eventually get to exactly where they would have been of they had stayed in line.
And especially not if the person behind you happily moves your cart forward. No harm done. And it’s just false to suggest we can do all our shopping from the line. Half the store is downstairs.
I’m happy they are opening again as I depend on a few of their organic products as staples I can’t get for a better price. But I couldn’t agree more with the need to change people breaking through the line to shop. Every time I am on the checkout line seems people target me as the point to cross. I wish everyone would shop when they are already on the line for items in that area. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bothersome if people said “excuse me” but it seems no one does.
Try this approach: (1) make a list of necessary items according to where you will locate them in the store i.e., eggs, vegetables, kombucha, avocados, then downstairs items. (2) determine when you enter how long the line is. if there’s no line because you have referred to Google’s histogram of busy times inside the store and decided to shop when the store is less busy, shop at will. (2b) if you have to go when there is a line, proceed with picking up all the items on first and second floor except those located on the outer walls. (3) get into the line (4) as the line moves, then pick up the stuff you need on the outer walls (vegetables, meat, cheese, etc). While you are in line, ensure there is no space between you and the person in front of you. The line cutters, which are not organized, will naturally move to those gaps where it’s easy for them to cut. If they cut anyway and don’t acknowledge your presence as they do so, just say loudly “excuse me” or “you’re welcome.” Won’t change their behavior but it might make you feel better.
Seriously???
That’s how the store has always worked. It’s not that hard to say excuse me or look for an opening to get through to get what you need. Or you can just get across the line once and move parallel with the line as you shop. It just takes some planning.
or, if you are on line, leave a human size gap in front of you. which not even everyone has to do.
i see the same thing at the 79th street farmers market: people line up across the sidewalk and even when told, stare blankly, mindlessly, back.
Say “excuse me”??? Why do that when you can stand awkwardly behind someone waiting for enough room to shimmy thru? It’s comical watching people go thru so much trouble not to speak to someone politely.
How do you know it’s the same layout? It will still be on 2 different floors but they could still change things around.
A video was posted online a day or two ago that showed the inside of the store. Didn’t look that different.
The aisles have been widened (a very good thing) and the items moved around a bit, but the basic layout remains the same.
That’s how all Trader Joe’s work though!
Glory Be!
Earlier this afternoon there was plenty of activity at the loading dock, but it involved construction materials, not food.
I looked down to the first shopping floor from the sidewalk and could see mandarin oranges and avocados. So some produce has been delivered.
Hooray! I am grateful for how swiftly they renovated and are reopening.
ZZZ ZZZ 😴😪
That is terrific news. One of my favorite stores the food is good or wonderful and the staff is always terrific.
Am I the only person who doesn’t care for Trader Joe’s???? Some of their items are ok. Their produce is horrible.
Low prices? Yes. Quality? No.
Horrible is in the eyes of the beholder. The produce at Whole Foods is usually just as underripe, and more expensive. And don’t even THINK about Fairway.
Nope. It’s a poorly laid out store where people have to climb over each other for mediocre food. But those TJ fanboys and fangirls have been crowding my go-to markets, so I’m thankful they’re going back. Get the h*ll outta my stores!
Much of the produce is fine. Their basic button mushrooms are great and much cheaper than the other shops. Same for their Compari tomatoes and other items. Their lemons, much cheaper than Fairway and WF, yield more juice. I don’t buy berries as TJ, though.
Try the frozen ones. They don’t get mouldy.
Their nuts are good.
Agree with you 100% regarding produce. Goes bad so quickly which makes no sense given the obvious turnover. Same with the breads.
You are not alone. Extremely overrated.
After pulling a third bag of half rotted apples off the shelf, I’ve given up buying the bagged ones. Onions, potatoes, peppers, and the tiny mixed tomatoes are fine.
totally agree with you Gina! We need upward renewal not downward same old same old.
You have to know what to buy, and, much more importantly, what not to buy.
Right on!
It’s basically just cheap private label stuff. And people do love cheap!
You are not the only person but the fact that the checkout lines snake throughout the store shows it is very popular.
Then don’t shop there?
I dont
No reason at all to be nasty UWSYIMBY. I did need to shop there a couple of times so I could determine if I liked the store. It’s not a personal attack…. gee whiz.
There was nothing nasty about UWSYIMBY’s comment.
I like trader Joe but it’s disheartening that they are reopening on a Saturday that is also one of the Holiest days in the Jewish calendar.
I took it as a clever attempt at crowd control. The uptown location was bedlam over Labor Day weekend after people worked out that the local store wasn’t re-opened yet. People and their shopping carts were packed in like sardines. It was inarguably much worse than any crowding that’s ever happened at the 72nd Street location. If management has any levers to pull in order to avoid recreating that fire hazard, yank them!
It makes a lot of sense to reopen on a day that is expected to have less traffic because of the holiday. It gives them a couple days to fine tune and fix any reopening issues that might not have been predicted.
Ridiculous
I think the day was chosen because the insurance permits passed and they were ready to sell. With all the issues in the store and the overhead in retail, every minute they are not open – they lose so much revenue. I look at it as just a another Rosh Hashanah miracle. Shana Tova!
Would you prefer it on Yom Kippur?
Given the intense crowds at 93rd yesterday, it would have been nice if it had been open in time to accommodate pre-holiday grocery shopping.
Why? It’s not a kosher store and the owners aren’t Jewish. Most customers arent either. If it were a one day special event well that might be tacky to have only on Rosh Hashana. Customers who can’t or won’t shop that day can shop 300+ other days in the upcoming year .
I’m Jewish and this is the most insane comment. The world does not revolve around our holidays.
Were you commenting on my post? My point was basically the same as yours.
I think she was replying to the original poster (whose comment was pretty silly, IMHO).
You betcha!
Bravo 👏 well stated
Why? As you know life goes on as usual for all the non-Jews on Rosh Hashana.
especially in a neighborhood so Jewish it’s lovingly referred to as “the shtetl”. It’s like TJs is saying, “Jews may be the majority of our customers at this location but they aren’t welcome at the reopening”.
In case no one has notice, there are a number of established churches in the surrounding streets, but only one synnagogue.
It would be funny if it weren’t so pathetic that a Trader Joes’ reopening is considered to be a significant event in the history of the UWS. This comment takes exageration to a whole new level.
I think they tried to reopen as fast as they could (it’s the single busiest Trader Joe’s in the country) and that simly happened to be on
a Jewish holiday.
With the exception of the years 1984-1986, my family has lived on the Upper West Side since 1938. During that period, we have never heard this neighborhood referred to as “the shtetl.”
Fortunately! Goodness me, what a weird way to refer to one of the most expensive and popular neighborhoods in the City!
Welcome at what? It’s not a party, it’s the day they start serving customers again. They’ll gladly serve you on Monday.
According to the UJA the UWS is 30% Jewish. Why are you assuming the majority of TJ’s customers are Jewish when thr majority of the neighborhood is not?
https://communitystudy.ujafedny.org/explore-data/upper-west-side
Except for the mosque down the street. Or the church down the street.
Really? You think because it’s opening this Saturday that means they’re saying Jews aren’t welcome?? Aren’t you taking it a little too personally? What about the rest of us who have anxiously waited for the reopening?
We should keep waiting?? Maybe TJ’s needs to get business going as soon as they can. It IS a business, after all
It’s the day a supermarket is reopening not a major event. There’s nothing unwelcoming about it.
Not everyone is Jewish, so go there Sunday.
TJ’s is a German owned store with an interesting German families background.
I don’t have a particular problem with the opening date, but note that Rosh Hashanah is a two-day holiday.
So go on Monday.
Wonderful! We’ll miss our ‘southern’ neighbors at the 93rd and Columbus store, but we’re happy they are getting ‘their’ TJ back!
Hallelujah!! But I fear the line just to get in the store will be epic and snake around the block. 🐍
In fact, it actually wasn’t. Busy, but definitely not overwhelmingly so.
It may be less of a line since it’s the first day of the Jewish New Year.
Their sparkling customer service is TRULY the finest definition of customer service! WELCOME BACK!!!
I visited the 93rd St store this week for the first time since the one near me closed and was reminded of how friendliness and helpfulness are core values at the TJs stores. (Unlike the Home Goods store a few blocks uptown, where a staff girl got mad at me for… trying to shop from the shelves she was restocking. Guess their priority is display, not customers)
Not happy. we were hoping they would open elsewhere like the huge space down Broadway vacant for years. More dirt more crowds more accidents more homeless. Honestly we don’t want this store here. In trying to upgrade this neighborhood Trader Jo is THE LAST STORE WE NEED.
“We”?
The Mortin Williams market on 60th and West End Ave is always empty…barely no customers. That location would be a perfect stop for a new TJ”s.
If you’re referring to the huge space where the old Food Emporium on 68th and Broadway used to be, my thoughts exactly. That would’ve been such a perfect location for a Trader Joe’s. A key point being that it’s above ground.
Why does it matter that it is above ground? Supermarkets need windows?
And it was a Barnes and Noble before that.
How about an OTB?
You do know they have online betting in 2026, right? There are plenty of people who’ll happily relieve you of your excess funds. Then there are Kalshi and other prediction markets where you can bet on anything you want.
Assuming TJ 72 does
open tomorrow morning, we can bet on when/or if a line will form outside just to get in. If not tomorrow, then when is the first storm that will cause a (pre-snow) line to form on Broadway.
Yippee!!!! I’ve not minded going up to the 93rd street Trader Joes, but the one on 72nd street is much more convenient! I’m really looking forward to the bigger store! I don’t. mind the long lines….I shop as the line moves! Easy peasy!
I have tried to shop there. I just cannot understand the attraction of so many. Nothing special there to buy.
You juast have to know what’s good – just as in any other market.
Do you work for Trader Joe’s, just wondering? Are you British, because you spelled moldy with a U. LOL — Have a great day.. Even if you don’t work for trader joes – you have a positive attitude, which is lovely to have. I do as well, there are some of us who are concerned about our neighbors. Our neighbors are all people regardless of their ages, genders or preferences, religions, beliefs, abilities and/or disabilities etc. Seems like you care about thier ealth, happiness and well being and our city’s well being as a community! If you work for TJ’s that’s cool too.
I don’t. But I got really tired of having to take a bus to and from the other options while TJs was closed.
And not a pleasant experience, in a basement labyrinth. We are a couple who like to shop daily, maybe if you are buying for a family once a month it is good.
Thanks 93rd TJ! You’ve been great!
Gracias. I.I’m elated for the reopen.
Good News! I live close by but am not switching back from the W 93rd branch. i’ve become a big fan of it since May. The place is briighter and the personnel so much nicer.
Hooray !
I’m so excited. I can’t wait. Thank you Trader Joe’s family.
“We’ll see if there is a line on Saturday morning.”
That’s like saying, “We’ll see if the sun rises on Saturday morning.”
YAY!!!!!
Will the bathrooms be reopened?
Nope, looks like no more public restrooms, from what I saw.
Really? I’ve never been to a TJ that didn’t have bathrooms! In fact, I depend on them in my perambulations around the City. Always good to know where the bathrooms are!
The only thing they really needed to do was to equip the store with smaller shopping carts and the escalator mechanics to fit them! That will make so much of the space issue go away if they do. We will see …
You are SO right about the shoping carts. A smaller option would be helpful.
Don’t they have the small ones that they have at 93rd St?
Perhaps the WSR can do a separate story on the cashier line etiquette at the TJ w72. I can start here –
Not enough seniors use the straight to the front of the line privileges at TJ 72.
Is there some kind of stigma to tell everyone you can also get half off for transit fares? Asking because I’m almost there. Personally, I think register #1 on the left should prioritize seniors, or 5 items or less.
There are TWO lines. There’s always been 2 lines. There’s a left line and a right line since the formation of the solar system. I like to pop in early in the morning sometimes and there’ll be one line of leisurely shoppers touching and smelling the cheese on the right side line. Don’t lose your #€π§ if people don’t want to spend time playing with the food and just get on the left line. It is NOT cutting!
It looks like there are plenty of other chances for “conflicts” from reading the funny comments up top.
I never knew that as a senior with mobility issues, I could move to the front of the line. I just lean on my cart. That seems fair.
If I am capable of standing in line like everyone else why would I skip the line just because I happen to be of a certain age? Absolutely those with canes and walkers and critches and mobility issues should make use of the convenience regardless of their age.
Enjoy your experiences. I blissfully avoid places like this where people take themselves so seriously.
Woo-hoooo! Thanks for letting us know!
So happy and hopefully this reopening will put the Ripoff store Fairways out of business.
There are some things at Fairway reasonably priced. Plus, they have bathrooms.
Fairway is not the well stocked and well priced store that it used to be but why would you want a still useful husiness to go under? If you don’t like it don’t shop there.
For the record If Fairway didn’t go under when Trader Joe’s first opened which was a totally new option for the area why would a reopening do it?
The line is curved and around the corner and down the block.
Good news! I look forward to renewing the delightful chats I’ve had with their cashiers who are always convivial and interesting while deftly packing your bag(s) unlike the horrible/glum/careless cashiers at Morton Williams.
That turn around is astounding.
Report from the front! I got on line right before 8 AM, (reminded me of Covid days). Everyone smiling and welcoming. The layout is slightly and thoughtfully reorganized, less cluttered. The lighting is bright, the escalators shiny and gleaming. Checkout was, as always, fast and efficient, fully staffed with the always gracious staff. Kudos to TJ for renovating and reopening so swiftly. A great relief to have TJ back where it belongs, no more shlepping to Columbus/93 or to 59th and First, yay!
Thank you for giving credit where it’s definitely due.
There is no line outside as of 11:30 am. I was just there shopping. The layout has been changed not drastically but enough to make more room. The what do you call the quarters in between things are are wider it’s even with the amount of people that were there today which was a lot it was easier to get around. They also did they all have done something with the light so they’re kind of soft but brighter which also helps. Today only today instead of a try this snack they had a something to spin and whatever it landed on that’s what you got so my friend got a bag and I got a peanut butter energy bar. All in all I think they did a great job. As far as I can tell both the elevator and the escalators are all running great. I was glad I went
Just go to the TJs at 93rd and Columbus. By the time you wait on the line at 72nd, you could walk up there, and be in and out in under 5 minutes. So much better!
Looks exactly the same – except the escalators are new and shiny. Why did they need to close for 4 months for this Reno 🙄
Are you an expert on escalator installation in the context of NYC buildings and safety protection? Do you know that they didn’t do any repairs that are not visible to the customers? Could you have helped them do this job faster?
Do you think a busy retail store would possibly stay closed one day longer than they had to?
Looks exactly the same – except the lower shelving which likely hold less product. Same oversized carts instead of replacing them and installing an escalator for smaller carts. The most glaring difference is the horrible smell of de-gassing formaldehyde from the new wood shelving. Why did they need to close for4 months, indeed!
The people escalator was out of service yesterday evening. What a joke.
and one day later, on Sunday morning, the shiny, new elcalator descending to the basemnt was out of order.
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose!
I haven’t been in yet, and I’ve been waiting…. But the complainers below make me think it’s just fine. I’m glad it’s back
The renovated store looks amazing, and we got in and out quickly on reopening day. The only issue we had was our cart was stuck on the cart escalator for a couple of minutes before they were able to restart. Also, by putting the pallets of water on the lower level, the cart elevators are going to be hauling extra weight. Not sure why the store didn’t leave the water pallets on the register level, near the escalators?
First escalator now out of service.
Good manners on the UWS is an oxymoron. 2.One escalator is already out of order.
The up escalator has already broken down.
2 escalators have been broken today. First the escalator for people going down, and then the cart escalator going up. People with carts were held hostage because of the long line to the elevator.
Completely ridiculous. You would think they would find a reliable escalator service company by now.
I blame the reflecting pool guy.
Thank you. A sense of humor will get all of us through the reopening bugs to a smoother-functioning store.
We all hoped for the best and widhed the long-suffering staff well. Alas, it was not to be for long. By 8 PM the shelves were almost all empty and the elevator was out of service, The moral of the story is: don’t open an jultra-high traffice market below ground. Let’s say they tried.
Welcome Back !
You’ve been missed