Trader Joe's Silver Lake Expansion: The Price of Progress

The neighborhood will largely cheer when hearing the news that the Hyperion Avenue Silver Lake Trader Joe's expansion into the shuttered video store next door is complete. It's been open since Friday, July 2.

But after the initial excitement and disorientation passed today (it's weird getting to re-learn your previously super familiar local grocery store), the bittersweet nostalgia kicked in.

Sure, there might be 14 check-out aisles, plenty of wandering room, and expanded shelf space. But gone are the murals showing local landmarks: Dodger Stadium, Travel Town, the Observatory. In its place are other trying to be "funky" eclectic images that don't have the neighborhood feel of the former decor. For all its shortcomings, I've always preferred this pre-mega-chain, old school-feeling TJs, for better or for worse.

And instead of being named for the area's signature streets (Rowena, Griffith Park Blvd., Hyperion), instead the registers are numbered. Boring! I asked if that will stay, and it appears they're working it out during the transition. So there's hope yet that this more distinctive system might return.

Shop your hearts out, folks. But beware -- more TJ's square footage doesn't mean more parking. That's for you to manage. On your way out, mention the changes we'll miss (I can't be the ONLY one who will), and maybe your favorite Silver Lake, Echo Park, or Los Feliz street will appear by a register someday.

Comments

[Tamara]

:) I agree with the hominess but a larger, especially in Silverlake, TJs is a blessing. I LOVE the new one on Vine and Selma. There's the parking structure which is easy and the aisles are large and I've yet to have a long checkout. So far so good.

[tricerapops]

since the vine/selma location opened, i've yet to return to SL's TJs. I agree with Tamara, the parking situation in Hollywood cannot be beat. are you noticing that the SL location is carrying 'more' items with the expanded space? I mean, as small as the old space was, it had pretty much everything your average TJs carried. I would have preferred an expansion in the parking lot.

[Sara S]

Too bad that they got rid of those signs, and I have to say that change is tough...that is one neighborhood market that feels like home. Glad they have more space, though. Now, if they could only improve their produce section!!

[Jess]

Seems to be more space but the same amount and variety of items. They're just arranged differently, and the shelves are lower so the store feels more expansive and bright. Haven't checked out the new HW location, mostly b/c I usually walk to Hyperion to avoid the bad parking situation entirely, and that way I get some exercise.

[Peyton]

If you're looking for Modern TJ with attached covered parking, go to South Lake. However, since we moved east, I enjoy our homier Hastings Ranch TJ in a "historic" local market with murals that recall the old market.

[Nursing Tops]

that's a nice suggestion peyton!

and yeah! this has really been exciting and much awaited!

[Chris L]

Those murals on the walls at Trader Joes are no more local than the chalk drawings on the sandwich boards at a Starbucks. My old Trader Joe’s in DC had a mural with cartoon caricatures of past presidents and drawings the White House and Washington Monument. TJs may try to appear local but its all mandated by the corporate office.

[Aly's Mom]

They had beautiful murals of the house-covered hills of Silver Lake in the Ladies Room, which are now gone, along with the mirror on the door. I liked the store the way it was and wish it hadn't changed.

[Peyton]

TJ's corporate "local" may not be the real thing, but you'll find even less local character and you'll find no drinkable coffee) at Starbucks. Holding my breath for the incipient opening of Intelligentsia plus charcuterie and wine on Colorado Blvd in Old Pas (north side; between Raymond and Fair Oaks).

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Holding my breath for the incipient opening of Intelligentsia plus charcuterie and wine on Colorado Blvd in Old Pas. These all are great to know about it.

[Tax accountant]

I like TJ's a lot as they provide quality products.

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Health administers to peace of mind!

[Pet Beds]

I usually walk to Hyperion to avoid the bad parking situation entirely, and that way I get some exercise.

[Baby Monitors]

I wouldn't shop anywhere else if I had the choice.

[mahjong]

They're just arranged differently, and the shelves are lower so the store feels more expansive and bright

[Canadian Pharmacy]

which are now gone, along with the mirror on the door. I liked the store the way it was and wish it hadn't changed.

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I like TJ's, as its products are good and their prices too.

[abendkleid]

They're just arranged differently, and the shelves are lower so the store feels more expansive and bright. It can be one of the great to know about it.

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Such a great information it has.Here you can change some of the arrangements of the store so you can make the effective Store with the good products and the price.

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I love TJ's. We shop there all the time when we visit our holiday home.

[Bonbons]

I love TJ's a lot.

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We shop there a lot, its so large and it has everything you need.

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