When I first became a vegetarian in 1992, local supermarkets didn't cater to vegetarians (except the produce and Kosher departments). To go to a health food store, I'd pay $30 for a single bag's worth of groceries.\r
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Friends in California raved about Trader Joe's. When they came to Connecticut, I was delighted.\r
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The store is always clean. Staff is always helpful. Trader Joe's hires friendly associates. They do NOT discriminate against tattoos. (I prefer to spend my money at businesses that are tattoo friendly. Few things are as annoying than going to a business that's happy to take your money but whose policies discriminate against the way I look!) They always offer samples of new items.\r
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The prices are great. I can feed a family of three for under $8, with a fancy, healthy, vegetarian meal. My fussy, elderly father has raved - loudly - about pizza made with their ingredients, and about their generic ""meatless"" meatballs. (They don't taste like meat, but they are tasty.) They carry vegetarian products that the large supermarket sells, but for far less. Their generic cleaning products are cruelty-free, and are about 1/5 of what I paid at the health food store. I can usually get three or four bags of food and cleaning products for under $40. Their facial sugar scrub works wonders on my skin, and at $6, it is 1/3 the cost of what I'd paid at a skin shop in the mall. (I also use it on my hands to increase circulation, since I have nerve damage)\r
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I wish they were closer to my house; I haven't done my regular weekly shopping there since gas prices went up. (Even with the savings on groceries, I can't justify the expense.) However, when I'm anywhere near Trader Joe's, I'll detour!
Pros: Free parking. Prices for vegetarian food and ingredients are usually FAR less than the local average.
Cons: Complimentary letters to Corporate go unanswered. (Larger chains usually answer my letters.) Their produce isn't as good as the local supermarket.
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