Later this year, Kingwood will get its own Trader Joe’s. Many people are excited for this new addition, especially those who travel longer distances regularly for one of the six other locations in the Greater Houston area.

“I have to go to the one in downtown, which means I don’t go very often, but now that we’re getting a little closer, I can go all the time,” theater director Brandi Perkins said.

The main reasons Trader Joe’s is so beloved is because of its low cost over profit motto and dedication to a palette of unique foods. They have healthier alternatives and come out with specialty collections for each season. 

“They have a lot of stuff that doesn’t have red dye and it’s just healthier for you,” sophomore Paisley Reeves said.

Trader Joe’s prioritizes customer happiness with a variety of foods. Whether it be their signature orange chicken or the dark chocolate peanut butter cups, Trader Joe’s has got something for almost everyone who’s willing to try it.

Many people are counting down the days until the opening after a handful of their products have gone viral for the simplistic nature of keeping dinner fresh and easy – a quick meal after a busy day. 

A fan favorite is the Trader Joe’s chili and lime flavored rolled corn tortilla chips. Many students drive all the way to The Woodlands for their favorite snack. 

“There is more in the bag than normal Takis and they don’t hurt my stomach as much,” junior Cameron Frasier said.

The new Kingwood and Cypress locations will be the seventh and eighth stores in the Greater Houston area, adding to the current 608 total across the U.S. The original Trader Joe’s in Texas was opened in The Woodlands back in 2012.

“I think the cool thing about Trader Joe’s is it has a lot of unique kinds of foods that you can’t find at a regular grocery store,” associate principal Tiffany Major said.

Expected to be done by the end of the year the Trader Joes will be located on 600 Kingwood Dr. next to the Planet Fitness.