Quote de jour
"The grocery store is the heart of a neighborhood."

In Westchester County is in many ways foodie heaven. Within five minutes of where I live, there are several gourmet markets, Japanese, Chinese and Indian supermarkets, and one of my favorites, Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's is a grocery chain originally from California and has rapidly grown to twenty-eight states. We're lucky to have three locations in Westchester County. There is something old-fashioned about their quality and service with honest to goodness good value. This is the only grocery store I've ever known where customers routinely strike up conversations, share opinions on products with cult-like zeal. I go once a week and every week without fail I end up chatting about the virtues of one product or another.  Even when it gets crowded the customers are rarely rude. Maybe the good humor, free balloons for the kids, free food samples, coffee and drinks help make grocery shopping more of a joy than a chore.


Trader Joe's service is legendary. Just last week, I stood frowning at the empty spot where my favorite wild smoked salmon normally is. An employee stocking the shelf noticed and said they're all out. A few minutes later, she tracks me down in another aisle and tells me she found fresh box of wild salmon in the back. Being a cashier is normally one of the worst jobs, so why are their cashiers a delight? One word: money. The employees are well paid and enjoy exemplary benefits. It's a no-brainer: take good care of your employees and they'll do a good job.
Trader Joe's aren't big enough to carry everything. I have to get Heinz ketchup and diet Coke and more exotic items elsewhere, but that's okay, you know I'll be back. There's always something new to discover. No window one week, boarded up window the following week and no doubt something exciting to follow at the Hartsdale location.