Don’t know if it is closer to you, but TJ is coming to Louisville really soon
Stopped selling Tahini at the one I go to in the burbs of Portland – WTF? Says the man who’s favorite food is hummus.
Penzey’s opening next door though same strip mall – I still have turmeric and coriander seed from years ago, last time I ordered. When my ship comes in, I’ll be getting some of that habanero powder, please! (Thankfully my last good friend who got SO pissed when she sampled some of my habanero foccacia isn’t around, but is in a happy part of the country, so I can trick my other friends and family into trying my delicious gingersnaps).
I looked on mapquest and it looks like the NE TJ’s is about the same distance to me as the other one. Which means Penzy’s is nearby. I bet if I look, I can find a good yarn store, too. Now THAT’s a road trip.
I love TJs. So much that on the first day they opened in Mpls, I was there with a TJ bag already in hand. I had bought it on a trip to CA.
What do they offer me? Dried fruit and nuts. Sausage I can’t find elsewhere. A low price on some gluten-free items that cost a fortune elsewhere. Their frozen green beans can’t be beat. They have great prices on good cheeses, soups, frozen fish and cut flowers. It’s a great place for party items and wine.
What don’t they have? Lots of other stuff. I swing by TJ’s once a month or so to stock up. I go to my co-op more often for my gf bread, milk, rice, spices, etc.
When I first saw that you were coming up from Bloomington, I wasn’t sure if you would want to come up to the north side of Indy, but the only two I’m familiar with are both on the north side. I just checked and it turns out these are the only two. I would definitely go to the NE location. Distance wise they are almost exactly the same from where you are. They are both on basically the same street 86th on the northwest side becomes 82nd on the northeast side.
I’m not sure how familiar with Indy you are, but I did a quick search for yarn stores, and there is one in Broadripple, and one in Greenwood which would be the closest to your route. Greenwood (South side) is basically on your way there (or home) but Broadripple (north central) isn’t far and is a fun area (young crowd, lots of bars etc… should make you feel at home being from Bloomington). There is also one in Zionsville which would be a little out of your way but still a fun place to visit. I know nothing about yarn though so I really can’t tell you which is better/worse than the others. There were several others as well, but these would be the closest to where you will be.
But, if you really want a grocery adventure… drive two hours to Cincinnati and go to Jungle Jim’s. www.junglejims.com I have no problem making the two hour drive a few times a year, but make sure you plan to spend at least a few hours there. For fun, pick out something you don’t think you could ever find in the US and you will likely find it there (whole Sheep’s head… check, little dried shrimp from China… check, Ghost Peppers (Bhut Jolokia)… check, Durian… check, you name it… check) .
I’m giddy for you just imagining it! If you’re doing this on a crisp fall day with clear skies and fluffy white clouds, and stop in a diner for lunch you will have had my perfect day.
I’m actually considering going by myself now…I’m imagining all the quiet and lack of rushing and trying to accomodate someone else’s schedule…mmmm. Nice. I could just browse and look and…wander.
Perhaps my single motherness is starting to show a bit. 
It’s the only place I’ve ever seen Brussels Sprouts still on the stalk. It was a pain in the ass to cut them all off, but they were good. It would be worth an hour trip once a month I suppose.
The Three Buck Chuck is not bad for the price, and the seafood is acceptable. But I don’t like processed packaged food all that much, and there are several gourmet stores nearby that offer similar stuff if I need something relatively exotic for a recipe or something.
I wouldn’t drive an hour, since TJ’s is ten minutes away and I don’t go there very often.
Regards,
Shodan
If you like Thai food, then their “Tuna in Panang curry sauce” is a great buy. It’s much better than any of the other foil-pouch instant curries I’ve had. The green curry is pretty nice too.
Here in the L.A area. Dairy products are cheaper than in reg supermarkets. But i do not plan a trip to TJs, the closest for me is about 7 miles. Vs. Walking distance from a major supermarket.
So IMHO, always keep in mind when you are passing by and stop and get those goods you need
If you can swing it on a Monday I’d be glad to join you for lunch! The Castleton area has tons of good places to eat - I’m sure we could find something.
I have one ten minutes away and don’t stop more than once or twice a year. I really haven’t found anything worth stopping for. But I live in the land of co-op groceries - the co-op has better food cheaper - and gourmet grocery stores - and a Costco membership. We don’t tend to eat a lot of prepackaged frozen foods, which is TJs forte.
I think they have good jams and jellies; sauces like tapenade, hummus, etc.; and candies. It’s great stuff if you are having a party on short notice and need grazing food, and it is also a great place to get a bunch of stocking stuffers around Christmas. Other than that, it’s not someplace I go to more than 2-3 times a year.
Best frozen tuna steaks in the universe. The chicken breasts are cheap, and I have to second whoever recommended the tamales. Any of their crunchy snacks are good. The frozen veggies are always high quality. When it’s chocolate truffle season, stock up! Canned smoked trout fillets are wonderful. If you pick up chicken sausage, look at the package carefully. Their sell-by date is very optimistic. Ours has a small selection of Kosher meats.
The cheeses have a history of speedy molding, but I think the situation is a little better now. If you know how to select brie, the brie can be heavenly.
The misses: most of the fresh vegetables, but I do appreciate things like fresh limas. The sushi doesn’t compare to a sushi bar, but it fills a hankering. Their current beer selection tends towards the hoppy. Frozen pizza. I’m not wild about the cereal there, except for the extruded bran one.