New restaurants, grocery stores and retail locations are opening in The Villages at a rapid pace. Over the past six months, additions like Honest John’s, a second World of Beer and the brand new Stein Mart have arrived onThe Villages’ landscape with the variety shoppers have sought for years.
With the next six months seeing the additions of the Tampa-based chicken restaurant PDQ and Texas Roadhouse,the growth and variety of retailers in The Villages doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.
Despite this trend, there is one grocer that still eludes shoppers and snowbirds alike in The Villages: Trader Joe’s.
It is no secret that Villagers have voiced their opinions in favor of bringing a Trader Joe’s to the area. Villages-News.com polls have consistently reported Trader Joe’s as a top selection among Villagers as a retail location they want to see in the future.
Trader Joe’s adds locations in Florida, sidesteps Villages
It might surprise some, however, that the popular chain is no stranger to the Sunshine State. In fact, over the last 12 months Trader Joe’s has opened five locations in Florida.
Much to the dismay of Villagers and local shoppers, only two of the five new locations were opened within 100 miles of The Villages. The remaining three grocery stores to set up shop in south Florida, opening locales in Pembroke Pines, Davie, and Fort Lauderdale.
All three south-Florida locations are within a dozen miles of each other.
With the recent upswing in Florida locales, one might expect The Villages to be on the short list for a future franchise.
Interested in telling Trader Joe’s to come to The Villages? Submit your request directly to Trader Joe’s here.
Which additional retailers would you like to see come to The Villages? Leave your thoughts by taking our poll: