Trader Joes VS Sprouts-NW Tucson's Dilemma

Adventures in grocery shopping. Some people think the world revolves around Trader Joe's.I have always been a fan of TJs, since my sisters have shopped there in Southern California ever since I was very young. I was thrilled when I moved to Arizona and found out that they were here, too. I guess they are expanding all over, in some kind of pattern only known to the big wigs in the main office. So, for years TJs has ruled in the NW; busy all the time, too busy to get in some days. Lately, though, a new competitor has taken over some of the turf up here. Sprouts is a great store, too and it is directly across Oracle Rd. It is more of an all round grocery store than Trader Joe's. The produce is plentiful and cheap, which really is a major difference.They have a meat counter, with seafood. Tjs sells only prepackaged meat and produce. Of course, the quality is high on these things but most folks want to pick each item and select the best. These are things that tip the scale when a person is thinking about where to go on the way home in search of some vittles. Loyalty is a fine thing but it's nice to be able to go to one place and get everything you need. Trader Joe's is a fine place for things like pasta,cookies and chocolate things. They have good, inexpensive wine and beer. Eggs and milk, yogurt and butter are all priced right there. They have all kinds of convenience foods with their own label on them, most are excellent. Then there is the bathroom factor. I was hurrying home from midtown today and I needed a restroom. I have tried TJs bathrooms over the years, they are, well....not too pretty. I guess they weren't set up for customers but they are welcome to use them. Sprouts, on the other hand, knows that a person needs a bathroom once in awhile. They have nice ones, pretty clean and with a big sign telling you where it is and you know they were thinking of you when they built the place. So, I guess neither one is perfect, so plan to leave some time for each, if you are the hunter gatherer in your family.

Comments

[TheQueen]

St. Louis just got TJs 5 years ago. I'll look out for Sprouts.