Columbia Trader Joe’s opening brings out hundreds of people and adds dozens of jobs
Meghan Drakas
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Minutes before the opening of the new Trader Joe’s in Columbia, hundreds of people were in a line wrapped around the Shoppes at Stadium from the new store to Old Navy.
“This is my first grand opening, but I just love the atmosphere and the fun,” said Columbia resident Tim Dollens.
According to Trader Joe’s website, this is the sixth location in Missouri. Other locations include Brentwood, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Des Peres and Kansas City. Trader Joe’s told ABC 17 News in an email that this is the 604th store to open.
Dollens was in line around 7:30 a.m. with dozens of other excited shoppers. Dollens is a super fan — he says he’s been to 144 Trader Joe’s in 42 states.
“When I go on vacation, I just make time to go to Trader Joe’s,” Dollens said.
Shopper Victoria Wiltfong said she’s excited that she doesn’t have to travel far anymore to find a variety of options which align with her diet.
“Not having to commute to St. Louis or Kansas City to get gluten-free food, I’m really excited about that,” Wiltfong said.
She also picked up a Halloween Trader Joe’s reusable bag, which was an item popular with shoppers today. ABC 17 News saw multiple large stacks of these bags in the front of the store around noon, but they were gone around 6 p.m.
Store manager Pamela Volk said this is her seventh Trader Joe’s store and her third as store captain. She said the store has hired around 75 employees, but is open to hiring more. She said they’re always accepting applications.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, patience, teamwork, creativity and just heart,” Volk said. “They’ve really put, this team has put their heart and soul into the store.”
Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said the store filling up a space that used to house a two-story Macy’s, which closed in 2016.
“They pay full-time wages, like these are people that are going to be working and living in our community,” Buffaloe said. “It’s just great for us, for our economy, that when we talk about this, like having a place like Trader Joe’s, that more sales tax for us, which supports the foundation of what we provide with city services and so we’re thankful to have them.”
According to the city, Columbia has a sales tax rate of 7.98%. In February, the city predicted it would bring in $64.5 million dollars in sales tax for fiscal year 2025. By fiscal year 2030, the city predicts it will bring in over $69 million in sales tax.
Shoppers also pay an extra 1% sales tax at the Stadium Shoppes for a transportation development district.
Many packed into the grocery store on Thursday morning and afternoon, purchasing handfuls of items ranging from fresh flowers to produce, frozen items and alcoholic beverages. Lines varied throughout the day at registers but there was always a constant flow of people in and out of the store.
Trader Joe’s in Columbia is open everyday from 9 am to 9 pm.