rev:text
| - Finally, Pittsburgh gets the Trader Joe's that it sorely needed. This store is much larger than the East Liberty store with the same amount of products. I'll weigh the pros and cons of the new Bethel Park location.
Pro - much larger store, wider isles, same amount of products. I asked one of the associates I recognized from East Liberty and she said that both stores carried the same items. I was here an hour after it opened, it was a zoo, every old lady wanted her free Trader Joe's reusable bag that they were giving away that day. I'm sure once the newness wears off it will become less congested. (Update, a month and a half after opening, this store is still highly congested. I did come one night at 8pm and had no trouble parking, and didn't have to navigate through congested isles)
Pro - Traffic moves well on the road TJ's in located on, much like the Penn Ave store
This leads me to the first con, the parking lot is a nightmare! There are other shops using the Iot besides TJ's, so it gets a little confusing especially with lunch crowds wanting to hit up chicken place next door.
Another con, with the extra large store, I was a bit underwhelmed that they didn't have more vegan items, although I saw a few fat free cheeses that I allow myself.
One item at TJ's that I have to send props to is the Spanish Extra Virgin olive oil. It's 5.99 for a giant bottle, in Giant Eagle that bottle would be 12 bucks! The Spanish olive oil is full bodied with a dark green color, and a slight peppery finish. I love to use this oil with whole wheat pastas, this oil compliments the nutty taste of the pasta. Add some olives, pignoli nuts, and a good earthy mushroom and you have a meal you'd pay 17 bucks for in a restaurant.
This store is in a more conservative part of town, no hippy, college, crowd. This is the true South Hills crowd. Which doesn't really mean much to the shopping experience, it's just the vibe you get inside the store.
If I had a choice I think I'd still go to the East Liberty store, I just wish the South Hills store was in East Liberty. Maybe the third Trader Joes will be the perfect store.
|