Trader Joe's has opened a new store in Costa Mesa as it continues to grow its presence in the US.
The Costa Mesa location opened Thursday morning after a ribbon-cutting ceremony and is the second Trader Joe's in the city. There are several other stores throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Tustin, and Santa Ana.
The popular Monrovia-based supermarket chain, known for its original and inventive products and frozen meals, opened four new stores this month and seven in November. In October, a store opened in La Verne, Los Angeles County.
“We see ourselves as your neighborhood grocery store,” the company said on its website, announcing its latest store openings. “Walk in and you'll find interesting, unconventional products on the Trader Joe's label, like Mandarin Orange Chicken and Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate.”
The company plans to open at least two more stores before the end of the year, in Columbia, South Carolina and Williamsville, New York.
There are more than 600 Trader Joe's nationwide and about 200 in California.
The Costa Mesa store will offer fan favorites, including Trader Joe's Original Bags and a wide selection of cheeses. The city's other location is nearby on West 17th Street, and competitors like Whole Foods, Ralphs and Vons also dot the neighborhood.
The company's expansion comes as grocery stores across Southern California and the country compete to win over budget-conscious consumers. Inflation has driven up supermarket prices in recent years, causing the average American to cut back on discretionary spending and hunt for bargains.
Trader Joe's is privately held and owned by families who also own part of the Aldi supermarket chain, according to its website.
Its first location opened in Pasadena in 1967.
