Hollywood Trader Joes Opened This Morning
It's the biggest and nicest (for now) location of Trader Joes that I've seen. Extremely large wine section. While it's crowded I'm surprised there weren't any New York style checkout lines--in fact, no waiting at all to check out. Obligatory politician was there shaking hands. Free tote bags are being given out to all who pass by. I noticed a number of local homeless people are already walking advertisements for Trader Joes.
By Chandavkl
on May 21, 2010 09:57 AM
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If the parking situation is better than the Silverlake location then I'll start shopping at this new location as I work close by. I live in Silver Lake but the parking sucks. The only time I shop there is a few minutes before they close when there are a few parking spaces available.
George.
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Off the top of my head I can't think of a TJs that doesn't have wretched parking.
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the overflow lot at the Silverlake location always has parking. I've only encountered parking issues at the La Brea location after 7pm when the overflow lot closes. I just go straight for the overflow lots since I absolutely abhor dealing with DB's waiting for the closest parking space. The Culver City location is great since it's attached to a city structure - just go directly to the second level. Sherman Oaks ain't bad either.
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You're right that Culver City is OK. Sherman Oaks parking is terrible -- at least once I've given up and driven to Studio City which is marginally better. I'm not sure what you mean by the "overflow" lot in Silver Lake -- do you mean the spaces behind Pizza Hut?
Probably the worst is Toluca Lake, but that isn't a very good store anyway (too small).
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Actually, the Sunset at Crescent Heights location has great parking. Both West Hollywood locations also have good parking. And, the new ones on Olympic in West L.A. and on Ventura and DeSoto in WH are also fine.
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Didn't even know there was a TJs at Sunset & Crescent Heights. Is it where the Virgin Megastore used to be?
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It's actually tucked in a corner on the other end from where Virgin was!
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Now you are giving away the secret of the Sunset TJs.
It is a good location, but they tend to run out of things. I love music and get a kick out of the LP covers in the elevator. The only time it is bad is when there are too many people at the gym. I would avoid going right after work.
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Running out of things is an issue with every TJs I have ever frequented, as is getting rid of popular items. I'm still ticked off that they discontinued their frozen ratatouille.
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the overflow lot, satellite lot... whatever you want to call it. it's on the other side of the building w/ Say Cheese, the shoe store, etc. towards Rowena. Funny, I've never had problems at Sherman Oaks, but I've given up on the Studio City one at least twice due to lack of parking.
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Say Cheese
2800 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
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My confusion, I guess, is that I think of that as the main lot -- that is, the lot between TJs and Say Cheese, with the entrance off Hyperion. Is there another lot?
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Say Cheese
2800 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
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No, there is a lot 3 or 4 doors east towards the 7-11, it holds a lot of cars. I always get a space in the regular lot, I just yell and scream and make rude jestures at people and they give me their spaces!
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No, keep going north on Hyperion towards Rowena. TJ's -> parking lot -> Say Cheese building -> satellite lot.
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Say Cheese
2800 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
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Culver City can be problematical though since there seems to be just one exit and cross traffic makes it hard to get out. Hollywood has building parking, so I'm guessing it should be OK, though I parked on the street today. I think bottom line is that the newer Trader Joes that are planned in new structures should not have any parking issues.
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there is one, but i almost don't want to say where it is, because i don't want everyone going there and taking up the parking. ;)
but i will... The TJ's at the Fallbrook mall in The SFV. because it's at the end of the mall, there is loads of parking behind it. everyone tries to park in front where people drive around like they are on dope. heck with that, go around the back where the Target and Chuck E Cheese is and there are dozens of parking spots no one uses.
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wow - well did anyone actually go to the Hollywood opening today?
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Yes. That what my original post was all about.
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LOL. Sorry, I guess I'm as guilty as anyone of going off-topic on the TJ parking rant. Ironically, I don't drive, and I'm looking forward to checking out the new location which is the most transit-convenient TJ branch to me.
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Trader Joe's
1600 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
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Linking ...
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Trader Joe's
1600 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
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I'm with you, maxzook. I usually go to the S. Pasadena TJs but the Hollywood/Vine will be my new go-to since it's conveniently subway-accessible. Hooray!
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Olympic and Stoner in W.L.A. has tons of rooftop parking. It's a pleasure to shop there.
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While we're chiming in with whatever TJs have GOOD parking, let me recommend the new(ish) Huntington Beach. I walked over there from a party across the street right after they'd opened last July, to get some more of that nice Vinho Verde, and there was this multiple-acre lot with maybe ten cars in it, or so it seemed. The ones that share large lots in shopping centers are often the easiest to deal with; the one on Huntington Drive in Monrovia lurches readily to mind...
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Since you mentioned Orange County, I will add that the Trader Joes in the Woodbury Center in Irvine is the least crowded of any TJs I have ever visited. There are tons of parking spaces because it seems half of the tenants in that center go out of business every six months.
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Actually out here in Corona, Trader Joes Dos Lagos has PLENTY of parking and WIDE aisles. Compared to what I went through in Pasadena, this one is a God send. If you're on your way down to San Diego jump off the 15 at Dos Lagos, you can see Dos Lagos from the freeway.
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South Pasadena TJs has good parking.
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Which S. Pasadena store do you go to where there's good parking?
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If you go there at 10 on a Thursday morning, MAYBE... it's not bad compared with Arroyo Parkway and Eagle Rock, but the best thing about it as far as I can see is that if you have to park down the side street it's nice and shady.
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I know the time drill and prefer parking on the side street, but have seen it parked up at the peak times.
It's amazing there aren't accidents in that parking lot.
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The one on 613 Mission Street. Maybe I've just been fortunate with my timing? I'm usually there on Saturdays around noon.
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The one in Glendale, on Glendale Blvd., has good parking. I live very close to the Silverlake store, but actually drive to Glendale because the parking is easy and the store is bigger and easier to negotiate.
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The parking lot in the back of the Long Beach/Bellflower Blvd. location is good.
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I can. Trader Joe's, Chesterfield. MO.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=trader+...
Mr Taster
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This new Hollywood location is where?
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NE corner of Vine and Selma, but they call it the Hollywood and Vine store.
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So where does one park at the Hollywood & Vine location?
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Well, the store is part of a large complex that takes up the entire block, and the building's parking lot entrance is on Selma, just east of Vine. Not sure if there's a minimum purchase required for validation, or what. The sign outside says 1 hour parking for Trader Joes.
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Thanks. That building houses a hotel and other businesses, so there must be a lot of parking. I'm guessing that, like most TJs, the store will be most crowded on weekends. And proximity to the Hollywood Farmers' Market won't help on Sundays...
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Hollywood Farmers' Market
Ivar St and Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA
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The building is adjacent to the W Hotel, not part of the W Hotel project. It has residential above, though at the moment there are not too many residents.
I went to Selma & Vine today, and assuming you drive, if you do not park at street level and must go downstairs to the actual big lot where there is plenty of parking, be aware that those driveways are very narrow, and I would imagine the Escalades, Expeditions, and other large vehicles will have a terrible time navigating them. Parking is validated for one hour, btw.
Wider shopping aisles than at most stores.
And if anyone thinks the parking at sherman oaks is easy, they have to be going at 10am, because after that, it is horrendous. I park on the side street to the west, and even it is generally full. But it is one of the highest volume stores in the chain, no surprise.
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I went there this morning, around 9.30 and it was virtually empty. Super nice, very wide aisles. And, very good signage, especially in the wine section. I shopped in 10 minutes max. The cashier was super proud of how nice this TJ is.
I can't vouch for parking as I parked on the street before going to the farmer's market.
I usually shop at the La Brea one, occasionally the one in Culver City, and I must say the Vine TJ's is really, really nice. Re: TJ's parkings, I've been a few times to the Pasadena one on Lake and parking was super easy in the adjacent structure.
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True re the Lake Ave store, although there is something about TJ's parking lots that brings out the worst in many drivers. Can't explain it.
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The biggest and nicest TJ's I've ever seen was the one in Arroyo Grande.
Huge store with wide isles and plenty of space. Huge parking lot too.
955 Rancho Parkway, Arroyo Grande - (805) 474-6114
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Also, note that the Silver Lake TJ's is expanding and taking over the space that used to be the video store next door.
..
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Took the subway (Red Line, Hollywood and Vine Station is practically next door) to the Hollywood store today (Sunday) at 2:30 p.m. Not crowded at all. Very wide aisles for a TJs. My cashier had no line. Excellent!
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I found I could walk through the W Hotel car entrance and lobby and it was even closer to the Red Line.
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According to the manager, the new Hollywood TJ's is the chain's flagship and the model for future stores: Larger (at 14,500 square feet versus less than 10,000 for nearly all the other ones), wider aisles, wider selection.
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Reading this, I wonder: did I miss something at the new TJs? Because I have a hard time believing it's that much bigger than, say, Silver Lake or Sherman Oaks. Granted, I didn't walk around with a tape measure, but it actually seemed smaller than those two branches.
I didn't go down the escalator because I assumed it only went to the parking garage ... is there a second floor that i missed?
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It's got fancy signage.
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What?!? It is waaaaay bigger than either of those locations. The aisles alone are easily 30-40% wider. It's probably comparable to the WLA (Olympic) location. The line-up zone to checkout is also much bigger. I think it's apparent as soon as you walk in - it feels airy and big, not cramped like the other TJ's.
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Was just there today. It's already great to have TJs in the neighborhood now ... WIN! No need to worry about parking or traffic anymore, because this branch is a nice, relaxing walk for us ... MEGA-WIN! Add to all that, the bigger store, nice wide aisles I can wheel my Grandma shopping cart and cooler down without slamming into other shoppers PLUS the promise of even better selection ... EPIC FRICK'N WIN!
It seems like every time I'm just at the breaking point with this place and ready to decamp to a loft downtown, H'wood gives me some reason to stick it out just a little longer.
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