A new Trader Joe’s is officially coming to Bradenton-Sarasota. Here are the details

James A. Jones Jr.
·2 min read

Rumors of a new Trader Joe’s have been swirling in Bradenton-Sarasota Facebook groups, some with hundreds of comments from residents, but now it’s confirmed.

The Bradenton Herald reached out to the company’s corporate office, and they shared a location and estimated opening timeline.

“I’m happy to share that we have just confirmed that a new Trader Joe’s will open at 8473 Cooper Creek Blvd. in University Park,” a company spokesman said in an email Thursday evening.

“We hope to open the store later this year. I can share an updated timeline as things progress.”

Trader Joe’s would be moving into The Shoppes at University Town Center on the southwest corner of University Parkway and Interstate 75.

Neighboring businesses would include Marshalls and Maple Street Biscuit Company.

Thursday night’s confirmation comes after a week of intense speculation on social media. Some of the comments were correct in saying Trader Joe’s would be going into Benderson Development’s array of shopping centers along Cooper Creek Boulevard.

Others speculated that Trader Joe’s might be going into Lakewood Ranch’s recently closed Winn-Dixie space or even into the fast-growing Parrish area.

Trader Joe’s only had one store in Florida — Naples — when it opened its Sarasota store at 4101 S. Tamiami Trail in 2012.

“Thousands from the Manatee and Sarasota counties packed the aisles of Trader Joe’s during its grand opening Friday, which drew an estimated 3,000 shoppers,” the Bradenton Herald reported Sept. 12, 2012.

Trader Joe’s now operates 23 stores in Florida.

The first Trader Joe’s opened in Pasadena, California, in 1967.

“At Trader Joe’s, you won’t find a lot of branded items. Instead, you’ll discover a store full of unique and interesting products, along with everyday basics, in the Trader Joe’s label,” the company says on its website.

“Our buyers travel the world searching for products we think are exceptional and will find a following among our customers. To earn a spot on our shelves, each product is submitted to a rigorous tasting panel process, in which every aspect of quality is investigated in context of the price we can offer. If a product is assessed as an outstanding value, it becomes an essential part of the Trader Joe’s shopping adventure,” the company says.