Getting approval for a sign reading “Trader Joe’s Plaza” was one of the last procedural hurdles for the grocery chain to clear before its Colonie doors swing open on Friday, Aug. 3, and on Tuesday, June 5, the Sign Review Board approved the proposed sign.
The sign will be located by the entranceway of 79 Wolf Road where a “for lease” sign currently stands. It will be 49 square feet, about 12 feet high and also include store names for two other tenants, Sleepy’s and Supercuts.
“It’s basically at the front of the parking lot in the green space area in the front. It should be up pretty soon,” said Town Building Inspector Joe Mahan.
Trader Joe’s initially saw its sign application denied by Mahan because it didn’t adhere to the 15-foot setback zoning requirement. Listing Sleepy’s and Supercuts on the same sign was also a violation, said Mahan.
Any sign that’s disapproved by Mahan can go before the Sign Review Board. In this case, the board approved the sign with no changes, something Mahan said isn’t necessarily uncommon.
“Anything I deny someone has a right to go to the review board and ask for a special exception permit,” said Mahan. “Generally they do it because it won’t be a hazard to any people, traffic and is not encroaching on any town or state property.”
Trader Joe’s is starting the crewmember hunt at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 18, when it will begin accepting applications. Applicants must apply in person and can fill out applications on site or print one off online and bring it in.
Supermarket employees are known for their uniform of “bright Hawaiian-themed shirts.”
Trader Joe’s touts itself as a “truly unique grocery store unlike any other” and a “store of stories” because of the more than 2,000 domestic, imported and specialty food items available, many under the Trader Joe’s brand, including Trader Darwin’s vitamins, Trader Jose’s salsas and Trader Giotto’s marinara sauces.
Residents can receive a copy of the “Fearless Flyer” in the mail, which outlines products of interest. Each edition highlights a selection of products that company buyers believe “are worthy of customer interest.” The store introduces about 12 new items each week to “heighten the store’s adventurous appeal.”
Representatives of the cult-like chain have been tightlipped when it comes to details regarding the store’s introduction to the region, but did say the Capital District seemed like the perfect place for upstate New York’s first Trader Joe’s and the store would be tailored to reflect the community.
“It will have a neighborhood touch. We usually incorporate part of the neighborhood into the artwork inside the store,” said Alison Mochizuki, spokesperson for Trader Joe’s. “There’s a lot of foodies. It’s a wonderful community and we consider ourselves a neighborhood store so we feel it’s a great fit for us.”
Trader Joe’s will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information about available products or the Trader Joe’s story, visit www.traderjoes.com.