Trader Joe's 'A Welcome Addition' On Brookhaven's North Shore, Councilwoman Says

MILLER PLACE, NY — Trader Joe's opened its latest Long Island store, and the third in Suffolk County, in Miller Place, to the excitement of residents who have been clamoring for the discount gourmet grocery, some anxiously peering in the windows while staff made preparations this past week.

Some might even say that the moves of the store's manager, who is referred to as a captain, and his crew, were being clocked preemptively in case the retailer were to — shock! horror! — suddenly open without an announcement.

The chain grocer, which got its start in Pasadena, CA, and now has locations across the U.S., has been on the wish list of the North Shore community that Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner has served for more than 15 years.

Bonner, who represents the second council district, which includes Miller Place, called Trader Joe's "a welcome addition to the community."

"The residents throughout the second council district are happy that they are there," she added. "They are also happy that they hired local people."

The 13,500-square-foot store is located on Route 25A across from North Country Plaza, joining other food retailers in the area like Giunta's Meat Farms, Uncle Guiseppe's, Cow Palace, and Stop & Shop, to name a few.

In the grocery's message to shoppers on its homepage, management says they see themselves "as your neighborhood grocery store," and they promise unconventional and interesting products like Mandarin Orange Chicken and Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, as well as everyday basics like milk, eggs, meat, bakery items, and fresh produce.

In its "February Fearless Flyer," the store promised value, in keeping with its concept since 1967.

"All these years later, the TJ's values are still comin’ up Roses ... and Chocolate Whipped Cream ... and Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Ravioli ... and Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs … and Jubilant Sprinkle Cookies ... and ... you get the picture," the message on the store's webpage continued. "For all your Valentines, Gal-entines, and Pal-entines, your neighborhood Trader Joe’s is filled with products worth falling for, all at prices that are easy to love."

"Great values. Full carts. Can’t lose," the post continued.

Bonner, a former gourmet grocery manager in Northport who knows her delicacies, explained that another reason residents are so happy is that the store provides more grocery options, something that was changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents are no longer looking to shop in one place, and want an array of different food items, whether it be organic or not organic, gourmet or not, high-end or low-end, she opined.

"People like their options," Bonner said. "The way people buy their groceries has changed."

And the store and Whole Foods, which is planned for later this year in Mount Sinai, will "complement" each other.

Excited residents couldn't help but let their feelings spill over onto social media platforms after Thursday's rush for the aisles.

"It was soooo nice!" one woman wrote. "Trader Joe’s Miller Place opening day!!! I am SO EXCITED! This location will save me so much time. It’s only 9 minutes from home vs. 40 minutes to the previous closest location. I love the layout. It feels more like the CA Trader Joe’s stores."

One woman said she was "so excited" just driving by the location.

Another said she was so happy the community is "getting new stores in our area."

"It’s about time," she added.

There were, however, some mixed feelings about the new location — some wanted their own closer to home.

One woman posted that the location is "still a hike for us from the South Shore."

The retailer has two other locations in Suffolk, including Lake Grove and Commack.

She explained that Lake Grove is nine miles from her home.

A man chimed in that he would like to see one in Copiague, Lindenhurst, or Babylon, which would be "real nice."

Yet another woman suggested Patchogue and Sayville as possible locations on the South Shore.

Another poster was more ambivalent than anything, saying that she would visit once "the mad rush" is over.

Still, the excitement on social media continued.

Other posters focused on the sales (Yes, the sales).

And congratulations were in order.

"Congratulations! Looking forward to this closer location," one woman wrote.

Some exclamations said more with less, as one poster simply added, "Yea!, to news that the store was open.