by Phil Jarrett

Health foodies, lift your reusable shopping bags and unite! Nebraska’s first Trader Joe’s has arrived. As of Nov. 12, Omaha’s new trendy grocery chain is open for business at One Pacific Place (103rd and Pacific). Gone are the wasted hours at supermarkets pining over ingredient lists and nutritional information in search of allergen-free items or foods rather than chemical cocktails. For those used to the sticker shock that usually accompanies eating well, the real surprise might come at the check out counter. That’s because Trader Joe’s carries the business model of its parent company, a huge German discount-grocery chain best known in the U.S. for the Aldi stores. That’s right, the small, florescent lit, pay a quarter to get a cart retailer is Trader Joe’s distant cousin. While the shopping experience in the two stores couldn’t stand in starker contrast, the grocery buying philosophy is the same: work with manufacturers instead of distributors, put everything under the house brand, cut costs and sell cheap. While the new 13,000 square foot grocery store may not be Aldi cheap, eating well comes at a nice price. No Trader Joe’s write-up is complete without mention of two-buck chuck (actually $2.99, but oh well) and while the price tag is enticing, heed this advice: spend a dollar or two more. Trader Joe’s has gads of great wine under $10. Red wine aficionados should definitely grab a bottle of the Tato Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. For first time visitors, Trader Joe’s Captain (store manager), Joe English recommends a visit to the sampling counter. For those who want to make a list before their first visit, try the boxed rice pilaf as a nice side to family dinner, or any of the Trader Joe trailmixes for a light snack.

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