Update: Trader Joe’s is now open. Click here for a first look inside.
MANHATTAN – In what’s likely a major disappointment for Upper East Siders, the New Trader Joe’s Bridgemarket store being constructed under the 59th Street Bridge will not open Friday as anticipated— though the store appears to be nearing completion based on what’s visible through open doors and uncovered windows.
Last month, a source involved in the construction process told Upper East Site the store looked “beautiful inside” and was eyeing an October 15th opening date. However, with no permanent signage up yet, a Trader Joe’s ‘Now Hiring’ banner hangs above the Bridemarket’s entrance— indicating they still need to fill staff positions before opening their doors.
Last month, Upper East Site reported on open 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—as of Thursday, the call for crew members is still active.
We reached out to Trader Joe’s for clarity on whether construction on the highly anticipated new Trader Joe’s store was delayed by the current supply chain crisis or if the store’s opening was pushed back due to the current labor shortage across the country.
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In a statement, a spokesperson told Upper East Site on Thursday that “there are multiple variables beyond [Trader Joe’s] control that play a part in determining the store’s opening date. That said, the broader national issues… are, fortunately, not factors here.”
Trader Joe’s added that the store was “still on track to open before year’s end”— a departure from previous statements indicating a fall opening.
When pushed on the apparent timeline shift, Trader Joe’s told us they “still plan to open this fall.”
For reference, the first day of winter is December 21st, so the Trader Joe’s spokesperson may just be parsing their words about the Bridgemarket since the end of Fall is so close to the end of the year.
We’ve asked Trader Joe’s multiple times for more details on UES store, however, the supermarket has been tight-lipped throughout the process.
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Thankfully, architectural renderings provided to the city give a glimpse as to what we can expect from the inside of the Trader Joe’s Bridgemarket store when it opens in the coming weeks, or possibly months.
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