This Sprouts grocery store closed and in its place is Trader Joe’s. This was big news and very exciting to all of the in-between Buckhead Bettie’s and Sandy Springs Susan’s, as well as all of the college students during their winter break pilgrimage. The Sprouts was huge, so I was very curious to see how it would transform into a Trader Joe’s. I forgot the most important factor, the main reason behind the excitement, the parking lot is big(er than any Trader Joe’s I’ve been to) and isn’t chaotic. There are no angled spaces and all of the lines have been freshly painted. I was very excited for my first visit. Sadly, I was disappointed. I think it was just the lack of excitement around me. It wasn’t very busy and I was excited so I felt alone in that excitement. I asked the woman at the register, and she said “Most people don’t know about it yet”. I said, “That’s Ludicrous! Y’all have the best parking lot Trader Joe’s has ever seen, and you’re smack dad in the middle of Buckhead and Sandy Springs! I can’t believe this”.

Main takeaways from my first visit:

• I found Rudolph (Chaz)
  • I found “Chaz” to be the worst possible name you could give an adorable stuffed reindeer.
  • No one cared that I found it.
• I went to the bathroom
  • Trader Joe’s hasbathrooms?!?!?
• The ceilings are short
  • This is what really takes the cake. I loved how Sprouts’ ceilings were super tall, it made the space feel much cozier. Now the ceilings are short! Why would they do that? Why am I just now conscious that all Trader Joe’s’ have short ceilings? I need to know the psychology behind this decision.