Supervisor Principi visits Trader Joe’s headquarters, while in California on another matter

Armed with nearly 1,700 signatures on a petition to “Bring Trader Joe’s to Woodbridge,” demographic data and several confidential lease proposals from Woodbridge shopping centers, Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank J. Principi went to Trader Joe’s headquarters in Monrovia, Ca. last week.

In California for a planned trip, Principi took the opportunity to deliver his business case for the popular grocer to locate in Woodbridge, Va. “The earliest we will hear anything is January 2016,” says Principi. “In the meantime, I’d encourage Prince William consumers to continue to press Trader Joe’s to ‘drop anchor’ in Woodbridge,” said Principi. “Consumers should visit http://www.NewWoodbridge.org to find links to a ‘TraderJoes2PW’ Facebook page, the online petition and Trader Joe’s own location request page.”

Principi notes that the store, which manages to be both upscale and affordable, is the number-one requested retailer by his residents in his district. A survey he conducted showed that on average, Woodbridge residents who frequent Trader Joe’s spend up to $200 per visit, and that most say they would shop at a local TJ’s at least once a week. “This is money that could be spent right here in Prince William, rather than at the closest stores in Springfield and Centerville,” says Principi.

“[Having a Trader Joe’s] is something I have been dreaming of ever since I moved to Woodbridge,” says survey respondent Norie Ann Chavez. “Having a Trader Joe’s here would make my daily grocery shopping so much easier and convenient.”

If Trader Joe’s were to open in Woodbridge, Principi says he would do his best to help it locate in an existing shopping center in need of a revitalizing anchor tenant. “Creating better development, places that provide residents with quality places to shop, work and play close to home, is central to the vision of a New Woodbridge,” he explains. “Trader Joe’s would help to further establish a sense of place and a sense of community.”

Principi notes that as he continues to work to attract larger, high-paying employers to the area, having the “right” retail plays a role. “When larger companies, those that would bring high-paying jobs to the community, consider a location, they look at factors such as quality retail, good neighborhoods, strong schools and ease of commuting,” says Principi. “These elements make it easier for them to recruit and retain talent. The widening of Interstate 95 and Route 1, two new schools and 28 new classrooms and smart growth developments such as Potomac Town Center, along with park, trail and boardwalk improvements, together contribute to our shared vision of a New Woodbridge.”