Thursday, September 30, 2010

The mayor's reaction to the news that Trader Joe's is coming to Salem

News Release from: City of Salem
NATIONAL STORE COMING TO SALEM
Posted: September 30th, 2010 1:21 PM

Salem Mayor Janet Taylor announced today that Trader Joe's is indeed coming to the city of Salem!!!

The announcement was coordinated with an announcement by Trader Joe's that they had signed a lease to open a store at 4450 Commercial Street SE.  The store is scheduled to open in 2011.

"This is exciting news for Salem and area residents!" said Mayor Taylor.  "Shopping at Trader Joe's is unique.  Many local residents travel regularly to Lake Oswego or other locations to enjoy the experience.  Having Trader Joe' in Salem will be fantastic".

The recruiting of Trader Joe's was a partnership effort.  Mayor Taylor joined with Rick Scott and Sheri Wahrgren from the City Urban Development Department in 2004 and 2005 to meet with the company at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Conference.  The second appointment of 15 minutes turned into a 45 minute conversation about the benefits of locating in Salem.  "Since that day, we have been diligent in making regular contact.  I could not be happier!"

Mayor Taylor also lauded the efforts of others locally.  "None of this would have happened without local people willing to invest in the community.  When Trader Joe's expressed that they were ready to commit to Salem, they contacted Alex Rhoten and Tiffany Jones of Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate.  They, in turn, brought Larry and Jason Tokarski of Mountain West Investment Corporation and Alan Roodhouse of RPS Development to the table to make the deal succeed. Thank you to all these community partners."  


Trader Joe's Opening in Salem in 2011

Trader Joe's just signed a lease at the old Albertson's building on SE Commercial. I guess we can stop calling it the old Albertson's building and start saying the new Trader Joe's. Here's a copy and paste of their press release. KATU's Salem Bureau Chief Melica Johnson was the first to hear about it.



Trader Joe’s Signs Lease in Salem at 4450 Commercial Street

(This is the Real Deal!)

The Store is Scheduled To Open 2011



(September 30, 2010) Monrovia, CA - Trader Joe's, a unique, neighborhood grocery store with foods and beverages from the exotic to the basic, has signed a lease to open a new store located in Salem at 4450 Commercial Street SE, Salem, Oregon (at the intersection of Commercial Street SE and Hilfiker Lane SE). The store is scheduled to open in 2011 and is approximately 13,500 square feet in size.


Trader Joe’s was originally named in recognition of its distinct grocery buying process, because they search the world for great values and distinctive products. Crew members (store employees) consider themselves “traders on the culinary seas.” Crewmembers sport brightly colored Hawaiian-themed shirts, adding to the light-hearted air of the store.


Many area residents after the store opens can expect to receive a copy of the Trader Joe’s “Fearless Flyer” in their mailboxes. The Fearless Flyer is a somewhat irreverent description of a timely selection of Trader Joe’s products. It’s been called a cross between Consumer Reports and Mad Magazine. Each edition highlights a selection of Trader Joe’s products that the company buyers believe are worthy of customer interest, including comfort foods and items that are organic or have other special attributes.


Trader Joe's carries an extensive array of domestic and imported foods and beverages including fresh baked artisan breads, Arabica bean coffees, international frozen entrées, 100% juices, fresh crop nuts, deli items, and vitamins and supplements, as well as the basics, like milk and eggs – all at honest, low prices.


Trader Joe’s is truly a grocery store unlike any other. Trader Joe’s is a “store of stories,” meaning every item in the store has its own virtues -- high quality ingredients, great flavor or simply an extraordinary price -- many items often feature all of those qualities. Another significant point of difference, all of Trader Joe’s prices are everyday prices. Trader Joe’s doesn’t have “sales” for a few days, only to hike the prices back up again. Their prices change only when their costs change -- there are no fancy promotions, discount cards or couponing wars.


So how does Trader Joe's offer unique groceries at prices everyone can afford? By offering more than 1000 items under the Trader Joe’s private label, which includes Trader Darwin's vitamins (For the Survival of the Fittest), Trader José's salsas, Trader Giotto’s marinara sauces, in addition to specially purchased items.


Also, Trader Joe’s buys differently than other grocers – they purchase from manufacturers, not through distributors. They’ll take a brand name product, take out the preservatives and artificial colors and ingredients, and put it under their Trader Joe’s label to sell it at a real discount.


Trader Joe’s introduces approximately a dozen new items every week, heightening the store’s adventurous appeal. Our buyers travel around the world searching out unique products at great values. In order for an item to be sold in a Trader Joe’s store, it must pass the scrutiny of a discerning tasting panel. Thousands of items are tasted each year to find products that both appeal to the culinary adventurer and microwave aficionado.


###


Trader Joe’s is a chain of neighborhood grocery stores featuring high quality imported and domestic foods and beverages at honest, low prices. Trader Joe’s (www.traderjoes.com) began in 1958 in the Los Angeles area. Since then, Trader Joe’s has expanded to more than 340 stores in 25 states.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Legalizing marijuana

One Oregon lawmaker wants to do it. We talked to people for and against the idea. our story airs on KATU at 4,5 and 6:30

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Monday, September 20, 2010

Great day to be in wine country

The first pic is Pinot grapes at Illahee Vineyards. The next shot is St. Innocent Winery.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Here is what a vaux's swift looks like up close.

We saw this one in a chimney in Lebanon, Oregon. He stayed in there for a while and flew off.

Getting video of the Trader Joe's OLCC notice

At the old Albertson's grocery store at 4450 SE Commercial. People are driving up to see for themselves. We are working some contacts and will have some info tonight on KATU.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010