Joe Coulombe, the founder of Trader Joe's markets, has died at the age of 89.
It's a sad day for people like me, who love the quirky little stores with great products, including Two-Buck-Chuck . . the California wine that used to sell for $1.99 a bottle.
Great job, Joe.
(The final picture was taken on a sunset cruise off Key West enjoyed by the BRD and Beau Jack this week. It just seemed to fit.)
I always feel better going to Trader Joe's where I can park my Subaru among the other Subarus with environmental bumper stickers and be around salad eaters. In contrast, at Costco I have to park among pickups with Trump stickers and people who eat cheap hot dogs.
ReplyDeleteGoing to Trader Joe's is a bit of an event for my wife and I. Columbia's only location is way across town and we always go eat lunch at an upscale Tex-Mex restaurant on the way there. Sad to hear about Joe, from what I heard he was a decent guy who didn't try to abuse his workers.
ReplyDeleteI've got the opposite with Costco than Phil. Here in Columbia, Sam's Club is the refuge of oversized trucks and rabid trump supporters. Costco, which is near my house, has a more enlightened group of customers since I see more Democrat bumper stickers than right-wing types.
In fact, and I'm serious about this, several of my coworkers (trump people) have questioned my membership at Costco and why I don't like Sam"s Club.
Yes Phil, isn't always nice to shop among people that are so superior to the rest of societies dregs? Very nice sentiment to a post about someones passing.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard that bit of sad news. I love Trader Joes and go there quite often.
ReplyDeleteI saw that in the news. Is two-buck Chuck no longer two bucks?
ReplyDeleteThe chain never crossed the border.
ReplyDeleteI so wish we had a Trader Joe's here. We used to stop in whenever we visited my mom in southern CA. I had wondered if there was a real Joe associated with the store, and I see now there was. May he rest in peace.
ReplyDelete...And I meant to add, that's a beautiful sunset photo.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I believe it is in California but shipping costs have forced a slight increase in other states. I still buy it occasionally and like it. 'Course years ago I used to drink something that looked like strawberry soda and went by the name of Arriba!
ReplyDeleteWe learned about TJs in Boston. And waited years for one to open here. Apparently it knew it would be loved, because it's just a few blocks away, easy for us to walk there. It's great for a couple, food for two. And nourishing lunches for work.
ReplyDeleteNever got Two Buck Chuck because of local liquor laws, didn't slow them down because they more than made up for it in dessert sales.
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ReplyDeleteI wish there was a Trader Joe's around here. R.I.P. J. Coulombe.
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