Update: Trader Joe’s is now open. Click here for a first look inside.
MANHATTAN – After months of vague press releases and small leaks about what to expect from the new Upper East Side Trader Joe’s Store planned for the space under the 59th Street Bridge, Upper East Site has exclusively learned when the long-awaited store will finally open it’s doors to shoppers.
Paper and plywood covers most windows of the new Trader Joe’s, so it’s not clear what the inside of the store looks like— but architectural renderings released during the development process present the upscale, yet classic design the store intends to bring to the neighborhood.
What is visible of the inside of the store from the sidewalk is the gorgeous intricate tile-work ceiling that gives the Bridgemarket so much old-New York flair.
A source involved with the construction being done inside the so-called Bridgemarket exclusively tells Upper East Site the supermarket with a cult-like following is set to open it’s new store at the corner of East 59th Street and First Avenue mid-October, just over a month from now— with October 15th eyed as the opening date, though the date is not official and could change.
Hiring is also now under way at the new TJ’s, with job listings seeking employees for the new store— offering $17.50-$19 hourly for entry-level crew members and $21-$30 hourly for Assistant Store Managers.
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Officially labeled store 571 by the grocer, the Bridgemarket store is already listed on Trader Joe’s website with its address— 405 East 59th Street— but little other information can be gleaned about the new store from the site.
Meanwhile, to the north of the new Trader Joe’s, work is in full swing at the new Target store opening in the former Barnes & Noble space on East 86th Street between Third and Lexington Avenues, with the Grand Opening expected in October, according to Target’s website.
This afternoon, workers could be seen carting demolition debris out of the store and jackhammers could be heard as others worked on the entrance of the new store.
Through an open door, a large Target bullseye logo was visible hanging on a wall above the stairs and escalators down to the first of two below ground levels— the wall itself features a unique red and white floral design.
Target signed a 20-year lease for the more than 55-thousand square foot space in June 2020, Commercial Observer reported at the time. Hiring has been underway at the new location since July of this year, as previously reported by Upper East Site.
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Target itself is being quite coy about the long-anticipated store’s exact opening date, telling Upper East Site in statement this week:
“At this time, we don’t have any additional information to share but as we get closer to opening the store, we’ll have more specific details.”
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