Trader Joe's to Open Sarasota Store

Update: The Sarasota Herald-Tribune is reporting that Trader Joe's announced they signed a lease for the former Rooms To Go furniture store at 4101 S. Tamiami Trail.

Earlier: Trader Joe's fans in Sarasota may get their wish for a store to open here.

A spokeswoman for Trader Joe's told Patch today that the company is looking to open a store in Sarasota sometime in the third quarter of this year.

A location and opening date have not been determined, she said.

The Monrovia, California-based company is known for selling natural, organic and fair trade foods, soaps, and other grocery as well as health and beauty products without brand names. Employees wear Hawaiian shirts to lighten the mood.

Sarasota would be Trader Joe's second store in Florida. The first Trader Joe's in Florida just opened Friday in North Naples.

Another spokeswoman for the company could not confirm additional Trader Joe's stores in Florida. The Sarasota store is considered unconfirmed for now, she said, as there is nothing in writing yet.