Photo gallery: The Trader Joe’s location on Merrimon Avenue
Need a look at what will be Trader Joe’s new location on Merrimon Avenue in north Asheville? Here you go.
Category: Asheville News
About Jason Sandford: Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville. View author profile.
I can’t think of a more congested area to put a Trader Joe’s. Too bad they didn’t choose an area like the Biltmore Square Mall with much easier access.
Depends on how you view “access.” Since it seems most likely that customers for TJs will come disproportionately from downtown and North Asheville this is a better location that Biltmore Square would be.
NFB: But it’s interesting that you keep thinking the majority of TJs customer base is from Downtown and North Asheville. If you studied demographics, you would realize that it is much more populated in South Asheville with expendable income and cash in the bank. If I was opening a business and wanted sustained cash flow I would put it south of the city between Biltmore Forest and Airport Road. You don’t travel south much I presume.
Ed — I get to the south end fairly regularly, but you could be right that it isn’t enough for me to be as familiar with it.
I’m no marketing expert and thus am certainly receptive to the idea that at TJs might do at least as well, if not better, on the south end of town. But, given that there seems to be more physical room for such a store on that side of town and TJ’s chose a location more convenient to downtown and the north end suggests to me that they think otherwise.
True, they are not new at this game. I’m sure it was not an impulsive move and possibly based on something else bigger in the works. Like a relocated multi use project.
Just for kicks, maybe TJs was more interested in tourism profits then people that actually live here. Folks from other cities will have already shopped at a TJs and know the good deals and product.
Just a thought…
it is funny, because trader joes is owned also by the german company ALDI, so, be sure, they know what they are doing