Evanston's Trader Joe's Opens in Mid-August or Early September

Construction on Evanston’s newest grocery store, Trader Joe’s at 1211 Chicago Ave., is moving more rapidly than expected, according to Scott Gendell, president of Terraco, Inc., developer of the site. 

The store had a projected opening date for October of this year, but the 13,000 square foot Trader Joe’s is set to open in mid-August or early September with an 81-space parking lot beside it.

Currently, Terraco Inc. is constructing the façade of the building, which will be made of slate and composite wood material. The exterior should be finished in the next seven to 10 days, according to Gendell.

“After that, it should look like a finished building,” he said.

Gendell hopes to begin installing the landscaping this Saturday, depending on weather conditions.

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Trader Joe’s interior is almost complete and will be turned over from Terraco, Inc. to Trader Joe’s by July 26 when Trader Joe’s will begin to stock the store and hire staff. 

Gendell is eager for this new Evanston addition to take shape. “Trader Joe’s is exactly what Evanston needs and wants in a grocery story,” he said. “It’s just going to be embraced by the community like no store in recent memory.”

Terraco, Inc. owns property on the north side of Trader Joe’s parking lot as well. Gendell said Terraco has been in contact with various retailers, who he could not disclose, about vacancy there. He said he may have an announcement regarding a new retailer in the next month.