A reverse Pitting for Trader Joe's

[WhyNot]

No, I don't work for them, nor does anyone I know. I'm not trying to pitch them or anything. This is just truly mundane and pointless thanksgrubbing.

But I just feel the need to say, thanks, Trader Joe's! You've made my grocery shopping a more pleasant experience. Your employees, from the littlest stockgirl to the manager to the guy who gives me free samples are always bright and cheerful. Last week, one went so far as to ask me for a recipe I mentioned, and actually remembered me when I brought it in to her yesterday!

Your produce is fresh, your wine is cheap and tasty and you have the best prices on all my pantry favorites. I love the dried fruits and nuts selection. Your frozen foods section gives me yummy crabcakes in the privacy of my own home. But mostly, what makes you so damn special is the people who work there. How the hell do you manage to keep all your employees in a good mood all the time - even in the craziness of the holiday season? Either you have spectacular management or opium in the back room.

Thanks, Trader Joe's. Now when are you going to open a little closer to me? :D

[Phlosphr]

How the hell do you manage to keep all your employees in a good mood all the time - even in the craziness of the holiday season? Either you have spectacular management or opium in the back room.

Well, I usually notice the staff are very friendly, and it seems they can wear just about whatever they want. I've noticed more than once a distinct odor of the Hemp Weed when shopping for my cheap wine at T.J's .

Love the store, and am extremely happy they are close to me. :)

[yosemite]

*sniff sniff* I miss Trader Joe's so much. For a long time, the closest Trader Joe's was at least a day or two drive away, one way. However, happy dance, they finally put a store within 4 hours of where I am now exiled, and supposedly, they are looking to put a store in my town. (*crossing fingers*)

I will be such a happy camper if they put a Trader Joe's here—words will not describe how happy I will be. But at least I can get to one (if I really, really want to) within a day (round trip) away. I'll just have to find an excuse to drive to that town, so I can load up on Trader Joe's stuff . . . .

[WhyNot]

*sniff sniff* I miss Trader Joe's so much. For a long time, the closest Trader Joe's was at least a day or two drive away, one way. However, happy dance, they finally put a store within 4 hours of where I am now exiled, and supposedly, they are looking to put a store in my town. (*crossing fingers*)

I will be such a happy camper if they put a Trader Joe's here—words will not describe how happy I will be. But at least I can get to one (if I really, really want to) within a day (round trip) away. I'll just have to find an excuse to drive to that town, so I can load up on Trader Joe's stuff . . . .
Ok, now I feel like a greedy bastard. I live several city miles (which are at least 4 times as long as country miles - more during rush hour) from the nearest TJ's. It takes a little over an hour to get there in bad traffic. I deeply apologize to yosemite for my pointless griping and promise to count my TJ blessings.

[Soul Brother Number Two]

Trader Joe's is EVIL! Evil, I tells ya. How come if everything is so damn cheap, one always spends way more than expected at this palace of cunning?

Gerolsteiner at 99 cents the bottle, and 70% bittersweet chocolate for cookies and brownies, and good strong goat Gouda and aged cheddar, and Triscuit knock-offs that are better than the real thing, and all manner of dried fruits and nuts, and big bottles of Orangina....

Get the picture? I always say oh I'll pop in for yogurt and eggs and some cheese and some good sandwich bread, some Kashi cereal and Plugra butter, all way cheaper than anywhere else, mind, and before I know it I'm staggering out under the weight of six bags, stunned and broke, wondering how the hell that happened to me again.

Damn you Trader Joes! (waves ineffectual fist at shy)

[Soul Brother Number Two]

um, sky, that is.

[WhyNot]

That's it! They must pump hashish through the ventilation system! That explains why their employees are so happy and why we all get the munchies and buy too much when we shop!

Why you Trader Joe's...I oughtta.....ohhh - peeled chestnuts! For only $3.99! I must have some! Even though I've never cooked chestnuts before in my life! I never knew how empty my existence was without chestnuts!

:D

[yosemite]

I deeply apologize to yosemite for my pointless griping and promise to count my TJ blessings.You damned well better, you ungrateful ingrate. ;)

Where I was born and spent most of my years, there was a Trader Joe's about 20 minutes (or less) away at all times. I had several to pick from. The 20 minutes or less one (Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta, Calif.) is kind of small, but very nice. Then there's a bigger and newer one in La Cañada, then the one in downtown Glendale, plus the one in Eagle Rock . . . All of which were in areas where I was often going to be anyway (school, work, shopping). They were everywhere. I was very spoiled.

Now, I am pathetically grateful to have one that is four hours away. It's pitiful, I'm telling you.

So, definitely, count your TJ blessings. An hour drive? Bah! That's nothing!

[RTFirefly]

Three years ago, I'd never even heard of TJ's. Now I wouldn't know what to do without them. Our newest discovery is their goat cheese - it's a great snack on wheat thins. I'd list all the stuff I regularly buy there, but it would take too long. I couldn't live without their peanut butter, or their stir-fry dinners(especially their Kung Pao Chicken, Garlic Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken, and Shrimp stir-fry dinners), or their 'exotic' single-serving frozen dinners (peanut satay chicken, chicken biryani, chicken vindaloo, massaman chicken, etc.), their tabbouleh, their hummus, their mini-pitas (to dip the tabbouleh and the hummus with), their pizza crusts and pizza fixin's, their great coffee assortment, and a whole bunch of other stuff I can't think of right now.

[Anne Neville]

Yay Trader Joe's! I managed to get a kosher turkey breast at the Trader Joe's between my home and my work- on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

[The Devil's Grandmother]

Four Hours! O, yosemite, you poor sweet thing.
I was pathetically grateful when TJ's followed me up from the SoCal to the SF Bay Area. But let me tell you, if you want a shop to come to your town, write, write, write letters to the company. Nag all your friends to write as well. Shops want to be where they will make money, and if you tell them a ready base of customers is waiting for them they will come.

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

I just moved from Miami to Orlando, arguably the two largest, highest-developed, and most tourist-friendly cities in Florida, and we don't have a Trader Joe's in either. In fact, I don't think we have one in the entire state (nor an Ikea, for that matter). :(

[Kyla]

One day, not long after moving to Chicago, my roommate at the time, bristlesage and her fiance at the time (now he's her husband), dynosaur and I were driving up N. Lincoln when we spotted...Trader Joe's. I'm from CA and bristlesage went to school in CA and we both just totally freaked out. TJ's! In Chicago! OMG OMG OMG THIS IS SO AWESOME! dynosaur was worried for our mental health.

We have since converted him. Bwahahahaha!

Anyway, yeah. Closest TJ's is maybe a mile and a half away from me. Love! I get their prepackaged meals all the time for lunch, and my coworkers are always asking me what I'm eating that smells so good. My mama even sent me a $30 gift card for TJ's a while ago. What a thoughtful present! I have nothing bad to say about them and their employees are, as mentioned previously, amazingly nice and friendly and so helpful. In most grocery stores, it's hard to find someone to help you. In TJ's, they ask if you need help finding anything! Customer service, what a concept!

[WhyNot]

One day, not long after moving to Chicago, my roommate at the time, bristlesage and her fiance at the time (now he's her husband), dynosaur and I were driving up N. Lincoln when we spotted...Trader Joe's. I'm from CA and bristlesage went to school in CA and we both just totally freaked out. TJ's! In Chicago! OMG OMG OMG THIS IS SO AWESOME! dynosaur was worried for our mental health.

We have since converted him. Bwahahahaha!

Anyway, yeah. Closest TJ's is maybe a mile and a half away from me. Love! I get their prepackaged meals all the time for lunch, and my coworkers are always asking me what I'm eating that smells so good. My mama even sent me a $30 gift card for TJ's a while ago. What a thoughtful present! I have nothing bad to say about them and their employees are, as mentioned previously, amazingly nice and friendly and so helpful. In most grocery stores, it's hard to find someone to help you. In TJ's, they ask if you need help finding anything! Customer service, what a concept!
Hey! That's my TJ's, too! I didn't know they did giftcards! Oh, yea! [happy dance] I may just have to print out this entire love-fest to bring to them next time I go.

[Lissla Lissar]

I've only been to Trader Joe's once, when I visited friends in Philadelphia in September. :( My husband thought I was insane to be so excited about a grocery store. In spite of Peanut Butter Joe-Joes, he still thinks I'm crazy. I live five minutes' walk from two overpriced, pretentious supermarkets with poor selection.

Someone make them open in Toronto! They'd make a killing! Preferably right near me, dammit! We've already got a Whole Foods, and I'd much prefer a TJ's.

*whimper*

[LunaMoonShadow]

I miss TJ's.....add me to the 4 hours each way to shop @ TJ's club....

[sleeping]

Where I was born and spent most of my years, there was a Trader Joe's about 20 minutes (or less) away at all times. I had several to pick from. The 20 minutes or less one (Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta, Calif.) is kind of small, but very nice. Then there's a bigger and newer one in La Cañada, then the one in downtown Glendale, plus the one in Eagle Rock . . . All of which were in areas where I was often going to be anyway (school, work, shopping). They were everywhere. I was very spoiled.

Now, I am pathetically grateful to have one that is four hours away. It's pitiful, I'm telling you.

So, definitely, count your TJ blessings. An hour drive? Bah! That's nothing!

Hmm.

There is a Trader Joe's that's 20 minutes away from my house. By bike.

There's also another Trader Joe's and a Fairway within a 30 minute drive.

:: flees ::

[Spectre of Pithecanthropus]

Well, I usually notice the staff are very friendly, and it seems they can wear just about whatever they want.

They do at Whole Foods too, and it always seems to me that the employees there are happier the stores that let them do that, than in the national chains. I like to see that.

[Motorgirl]

If it weren't for Trader Joe's, I fear my freezer would be empty.

Right now I have a frozen cream-of-asparagus soup in the oven (topped w/cheese & hiding a crouton inside, like French onion soup). Get to eat it in 20 minutes.

Love their bagged stir fries, soycotash, roasted frozen corn, frozen cooked rice, capers for cheap, almond butter, dried fruit, habanero pistachios, frozen fish, chicken sausages, whole wheat couscous(!), No-Pudge brownies, cookies & chocolates & all kinds of yummies!

There's one 3 blocks from where I work and another a short bus ride from where I live, so I end up at Trader Joe's a lot. Neither sells beer & wine due to Massachusetts' weird liquor laws (the Brookline, Cambridge & Framingham stores get the booze :mad: ).

The other day I snagged some small fennel bulbs and a huuuge juicy pomegranate.

[conurepete]

I too, will drive out of my way to Trader Joes. I actually do the bulk of my shopping there now. You can get odwallah superfood in the BIG size. It is a wonderful fruit drink, despite the fact that it looks like swamp muck.

[gardentraveler]

Part of the spoiled-brat bunch checking in. There are two TJs, each 20-30 minutes from the gardentraveler residence. Didn't actually visit the first store until it had been here for about a year. I've been hooked ever since.

Some of my favorites that haven't (I think) been mentioned: 1) excellent frozen veggies (haricots verts, peas, asparagus) - always fresh, and 2) tasty frozen tamales (I like the cheese & green chile variety because they're cumin-free like the tamales I'm used to from Mexico City). Seems like I find something new every time.

::Oh, look! Brie with green peppercorns....::

Exits RAPIDLY stage left.

[Kyla]

Hmm.

There is a Trader Joe's that's 20 minutes away from my house. By bike.



Ha! It takes me about ten minutes to bike to my TJ's!

Not so fond of biking in the winter, though.

[RTFirefly]

I just moved from Miami to Orlando, arguably the two largest, highest-developed, and most tourist-friendly cities in Florida, and we don't have a Trader Joe's in either. In fact, I don't think we have one in the entire state (nor an Ikea, for that matter). :(Nearest TJs' to you is in Springfield, VA. Sorry about that.

They seem to have decided to take things a region at a time. They started off in California, then spread to the rest of the West Coast. Then they went for the Northeast and Midwest; it looks like they're going to do a bit more infilling in those parts of the country before moving south. I think they like making efficient use of their distribution networks; no matter how good the FL cities might be, they aren't going to open a few stores that are hundreds of miles from the rest of the chain. It might be 5-10 years before you see them in Florida.

[Alice The Goon]

I have a TJ's FIVE minutes away. Suckers.

My recommendation: Thai Trail Mix. The many varieties of crunchies combined with crystallized ginger and peanuts. ::Drool::

[Pammipoo]

I'm trying out a new approach to eating, a vegan lifestyle of sorts. There's a Trader Joe's a few towns over, as well as a Wild Oats supermarket.

What do I absolutely have to try?

[vivalostwages]

My TJ's is four miles away. I go in with a list of just a few items and invariably come out with two or three bags of stuff. Bless 'em all.

[phouka]

Oh, dear Gods, how I miss Trader Joe's. Their cool fruits (I got champagne grapes once), delicious meat selections, wonderful prepared frozen dinners, and most of all, their chocolate peanut butter cups. Makes Reese's look like a crackwhore's dinner.

I own a TJ's canvas bag, purchased before I moved back to Dallas. Every now and then, someone will recognize it, grab me by the shoulders and scream "OH, MY GOD IS THERE ONE HERE?!" And I have to pry them off and explain that no, the bag was purchased in Temecula, far, far from here.

But I hope.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Yay! We just got a TJ's here in Cincy a couple of weeks ago. I'm sooooo happy seeing as how I never make my annual trips to CA anymore. Now I can gorge myself on TJ Cappuccino Truffles to my heart's delight. And now I don't have to bring an extra suitcase.

Can I just say, I love you Trader Joe's. You are so grand and all, but it's really not necessary to ring the damn every five minutes is it? Please don't startle me out of my hash-induced fixation on all your yummy vittles.

And to all you other Cincinnati shoppers who are only now discovering the glory that is Trader Joe's: I SAW IT FIRST!!! Get outta my way! :p

[Catsmeow]

I can not wait to go to Trader Joes. Cinnamon Girl, please don't shove me out of the way when I get there. I promise I'll be nice and polite and won't take all of something off the shelves!

But I have my shopping list compiled from the things listed here and from the Weight Watcher's site where TJs is like the Holy Grail of low "points" foods.

So, if you hit the Kenwood TJs and see a short round woman with a really tall guy who looks like he'd rather eat nails than be shopping with her...come on over and say hi. It's most likely me.

:)

[Cinnamon Girl]

I can not wait to go to Trader Joes. Cinnamon Girl, please don't shove me out of the way when I get there. I promise I'll be nice and polite and won't take all of something off the shelves!

But I have my shopping list compiled from the things listed here and from the Weight Watcher's site where TJs is like the Holy Grail of low "points" foods.

So, if you hit the Kenwood TJs and see a short round woman with a really tall guy who looks like he'd rather eat nails than be shopping with her...come on over and say hi. It's most likely me.

:)
I suspect your really tall guy will actually enjoy his trip to TJ's. They have a nice wine selection (wish they would improve the beer selection though) and really interesting stuff. It's not your usual grocery shopping experience. Just send him over to the free samples and coffee. The sample girls are real cute and sweet. The coffee is delicious!

The downside is that it's crowded beyond belief right now. Norwegian Blue made it there before me within a few days of opening and had to leave because he was feeling claustrophobic. It's way too small for that many people. Doesn't anyone have jobs around here?

In any event, if your really tall guy decides not to make the second trip, email me and we'll go together (I work evenings only). TJ's is especially fun with a friend. It's not like a need an excuse to go. Really. I don't!

[AwSnappity]

Love love love TJ's. We have one 15 minutes away from my house. Hooray for Chicago suburbs! My roommate curses me out every time I go home and don't go to TJ's. (She's from central IL and we don't have any around school).

[Catsmeow]

I suspect your really tall guy will actually enjoy his trip to TJ's. They have a nice wine selection (wish they would improve the beer selection though) and really interesting stuff. It's not your usual grocery shopping experience. Just send him over to the free samples and coffee. The sample girls are real cute and sweet. The coffee is delicious!

I think he will enjoy it once he gets there. He just hates crowds and says that I take too long when I'm shopping. But really, if you don't look at EVERYTHING then how do you know you're not missing something? :)

In any event, if your really tall guy decides not to make the second trip, email me and we'll go together (I work evenings only). TJ's is especially fun with a friend. It's not like a need an excuse to go. Really. I don't!

Why thank you! I will perhaps take you up on that one day!

[Cinnamon Girl]

Why thank you! I will perhaps take you up on that one day!
Hey, nothin' to it. :) You might end up being the first doper I meet IRL. I'm already looking forward to it! We have a Wild Oats too, ya know! I'm thinking yummy-goodness Spring DopeFest. ;)

[JavaMaven1]

I love, love, love Trader Joe's, and have been needing to go sometime in the near future. Time to stock up on Almond Butter, their All-Fruit Jams, organic yogurt, good butter at nearly half the price of the chain markets, marinated mozzarella, and their excellent breads. I've been having cravings for carrot cake as of late, but their Carrot-Zucchini bread is an excellent, healthy alternative for that.

If I'm feeling naughty, I might buy a box of their Dulce de Leche Chocolates, too. Those things are sinful.

[Shirley Ujest]

Hey.

There is a Trader Joe's in Royal Oak, MI.

Huh.

I never knew this. It is about a mile from my elementary school. Wooooo!

I would like to thank the OP for bring this to my attention.

I shall now drive down there, blowing a tank of gas into the ozone layer and take advantage of the hemp fueled air system that is purported to be utilized in this place and probably buy a bunch of stuff that I don't need and cannot afford at this moment. To whom shall I send the bill too?



Thanks!

[Lissla Lissar]

Are there any anywhere near the Niagara border? I know about the store locator, but I don't know the names of any small N.Y. towns, and I have no idea which ones are closest to Canada.

My best friend says she's doing all her Christmas shopping at TJs. I want Triple Ginger Thins, big chocolate bars, and all sorts of dried cherries.

Maybe we'll go back down to visit in the Spring, and I can shop there again. This time, I'll bring more money.

[ShibbOleth]

Oh, sure, now they've got a new store in Cincinnati that would've been practically in my backyard. But still no stores in or scheduled to go in Florida. Don't you love us, Trader Joe? Maybe we FloriDopers should get together and buy a franchise or get them to open a branch, whichever they do (it's not clear from their website (http://www.traderjoes.com/locations/index.asp)

[ShibbOleth]

Maybe we FloriDopers should get together and buy a franchise or get them to open a branch, whichever they do (it's not clear from their website (http://www.traderjoes.com/locations/index.asp)).

Okay, I found info hidden in their employment section. They internally fund (don't franchise) all of their own growth with no debt. So it doesn't look good for Florida anytime soon.

[Musicat]

With all this gushing of praise, youse guys are gonna give The Pit a bad name.

Or maybe I'm just sore that the nearest TJs, which used to be 5 minutes away, is now 5 hours. :mad:

[ShibbOleth]

Or maybe I'm just sore that the nearest TJs, which used to be 5 minutes away, is now 5 hours. :mad:

Damn, they moved the store? That is harsh!

[scout1222]

Hey, Lissla, I am planning on going to the post office on Saturday.

There will be some TJ goodness in your future...

[gobear]

I have a Trader Joe's AND a Whole Foods Market within a 5 minute walk from my front door. The best part of TJ's, apart from the excellent yet inexpensive wine selection, are the hunky cashiers. The store near me has an all-male staff with some amazingly gorgeous men at the till.

[Motorgirl]

I forgot to mention the Vanilla Almond Crunch cereal, which I am only allowed to buy once every couple of months, because my husband & I basically sit down and eat the whole box as soon as we walk in the door at home. :drool:

My favorite Trader Joe's experience:

I was at the Boylston St store (a 5-minute walk from where I work) and was picking up some "necessities" (like dark chocolate covered espresso beans, cat cookies, Tofutti Cuties) and the cashier gave me flowers.

They had "expired" the day before and though they still looked nice she said they wouldn't last long, so she asked me if I wanted to take them with me. Some very lovely white lily-type flowers. I brought them back to the library and put them in a vase. She was right, they only looked nice for about another day, but we enjoyed them while they lasted!

[Shirley Ujest]

chocolate covered expresso beans are most definately a necessity in life.

[Motorgirl]

Are there any anywhere near the Niagara border? I know about the store locator, but I don't know the names of any small N.Y. towns, and I have no idea which ones are closest to Canada.


It looks to me like all their NY state stores are clustered around NYC.

[Motorgirl]

I'm trying out a new approach to eating, a vegan lifestyle of sorts. There's a Trader Joe's a few towns over, as well as a Wild Oats supermarket.

What do I absolutely have to try?


Pammipoo, somewhere near the entrance or the cashiers will be a rack of single-page flyers detailing their offerings in different categories. I think one of them is vegan. I know they have a gluten-free list, though I suppose that doesn't help you. ;)
I can't find a list of their vegan products online, though, so I might be wrong.

[Lissla Lissar]

Sooooon, scout, please. Triple Ginger Thins=life.

You still haven't told me if you want anything from Canada. Moose, a cat, maple syrup, George W. Bush... :D

Why can't they open one up either here or just over the border? I will fully support them!

[RTFirefly]

Lemon Raspberry Tart (http://www.traderjoes.com/new/east.asp)

(Click link, then scroll down to the bottom.)

Gotta have one!!

[silenus]

Luckily, the neighboring town has not only a TJ's, but three or for independent groceries that are trying to steal TJ's business. This makes for some price wars and a variety of goods unheard of 10 years ago.

The thing that keeps me going to Joe's is the fact that their wine buyers have palates that are very similar to mine, so I can blind-buy wines I've never heard of, and I am seldom disappointed. :D

[AwSnappity]

RTFirefly: I officially heart (<3) you for that link--I must now buy a lemon raspberry tart and the Two Hearts bruschetta. It'll be three weeks before I can make it to TJ's, though. Aaaaaaaaaarg It will be so worth it.

[RTFirefly]

RTFirefly: I officially heart (<3) you for that link--I must now buy a lemon raspberry tart and the Two Hearts bruschetta. It'll be three weeks before I can make it to TJ's, though. Aaaaaaaaaarg It will be so worth it.Awww, you're sweet!

And don't forget to grab some of their chocolate raspberry sticks. Oooh yeah!!

[AwSnappity]

Are you talking about the chocolate raspberry sticks with the rich dark chocolate outer and the chewy jelly raspberry inner? Cause I loooooooooove those. My mom used to buy packages of those and send them to me.

[yosemite]

Are you talking about the chocolate raspberry sticks with the rich dark chocolate outer and the chewy jelly raspberry inner? Cause I loooooooooove those. My mom used to buy packages of those and send them to me.
Damn. You reminded me of those. I can now almost taste them.

Damn you all! DAMN YOU!!!!!

[lightingtool]

I'm not really one to brag, but I was interested to see how many TJ's are within a 5-mile radius of my house.

I've put the answer in a spoiler box so people who don't want to know won't have to.

5!


:D

[iamthewalrus(:3=]

Ha! It takes me about ten minutes to bike to my TJ's!

Not so fond of biking in the winter, though.
Ha yourself!

Mine's only about 12 blocks away. I can get there in 7 minutes at a dead run.

[RTFirefly]

Are you talking about the chocolate raspberry sticks with the rich dark chocolate outer and the chewy jelly raspberry inner? Cause I loooooooooove those. My mom used to buy packages of those and send them to me.Yes indeed, those are the ones I'm talking about. They are my absolute favorite way to consume chocolate! (At least, the absolute favorite I can mention without turning this into a sex thread. :D)

[Lissla Lissar]

lightingtool, with all due respect, I hate you.



Could we turn this into a "ship TJ products to Lissla" thread? Please?

[Hello Again]

Are there any anywhere near the Niagara border? I know about the store locator, but I don't know the names of any small N.Y. towns, and I have no idea which ones are closest to Canada.
.

Since there are none in upstate NY, your closest stores might be in Royal Oak, MI or Ann Arbor, MI. I don't know which store is bigger, I've only been to the Ann Arbor location, which is relatively small yet densely packed. It's what, a 4 hour drive from Niagara to Windsor? It's an incredibly easy, but boring drive. From Windsor its just another 1/2 hour on I-94 to Ann Arbor.

I recently drove 1.5 hours out of the sticks into Fairfax, VA (with a cooler, of course) to stock up on life's merest necesities at TJ's. It was heaven!

Funny story a about Raspberry Sticks. The appointed shelf was all out of stock (orange sticks too... wah) so I asked a helpful employee if they had any more. He said, "Oh, I'm sure we'll be restocked by tomorrow."

"But," I said (and you'll have to imagine the pitiful doe eyes I made) "I came all the way from... Culpeper." I have found this phrase never fails to elicit gasps of horror from all who hear it, and this day was no exception. "Oh my," he said, putting down the box of 3-buck Chuck he was pricing. "I'll look in the back." I left happy, Raspberry Sticks in hand.

[vivalostwages]

When came back, brought pie.

Pumpkin creme mousse pie, that is.

Gonna thaw that sucker out tomorrow.

[Elvez]

My parents came up from California with a case of two-buck Chuck. It's the only thing I miss about California. Well, that and the killer weed. :smack:

[Lissla Lissar]

Now I just have to convince someone with a car that driving six hours for groceries is reasonable. I live in Toronto, it take an hour and a half (at least) to get to Niagara...

Look, let's all practice: "Yes! I want to ship food to Lissla!".

I bought Vanilla Almond Crunch cereal. I think I ate it in three days. I don't normally eat cereal.

[Hello Again]

I don't think it would take 6 hours. Yahoo says its 5 hrs 18 minutes, and they're rather law-abiding in their estimates. I think if you speed, not outrageously but the "traditional" 5-10 miles over, it will be about 4.5 hours.You don't have to get to Niagara first. You go Toronto-Kitchener-London and either cross at Sarnia to go to TJ's in Royal Oak or swing south to cross at Windsor and head for Ann Arbor Since there's no enforced speed limit on I-94 in Michigan you be home free once you get there. :)

Scenic Ann Arbor Michigan contains many fine Dopers as well. :D

[lightingtool]

Well, seeing as it's the holiday season and all, send me a list Lissla Lissar and I'll see what I can pick up for you. Now all I have to do is pick which TJ's to go to...

Email is my user name at yahoo dot com.

[scout1222]

lightingtool, whatever's on that list, factor in that a package containing triple ginger crisps, some other ginger cookie, and ginger Altoids is going to the USPS in 2 days.

But then again, can you ever have TOO MUCH stuff like that? Somehow...I think not.

[Lissla Lissar]

I love you both very very much. Very very much.

Look, we've still got Bush. I can ship him down for ya. :D

Seriously, is there anything you'd like me to ship you? I can make cookies or something.

:runs off to compile list:

[RTFirefly]

I recently drove 1.5 hours out of the sticks into Fairfax, VA (with a cooler, of course) to stock up on life's merest necesities at TJ's. It was heaven!

Funny story a about Raspberry Sticks. The appointed shelf was all out of stock (orange sticks too... wah) so I asked a helpful employee if they had any more. He said, "Oh, I'm sure we'll be restocked by tomorrow."

"But," I said (and you'll have to imagine the pitiful doe eyes I made) "I came all the way from... Culpeper." I have found this phrase never fails to elicit gasps of horror from all who hear it, and this day was no exception. "Oh my," he said, putting down the box of 3-buck Chuck he was pricing. "I'll look in the back." I left happy, Raspberry Sticks in hand.Culpeper is 'the sticks'? I don't think so. I lived in Bristol for five years. That was 'the sticks', my friend.

[Hello Again]

Ok, you win. You lived more in the geographical center of nowhere than me. Nevertheless, where I live is in the sticks. You just lived in the doubleplus sticks.