Trader Joe’s, a grocery store that boasts quality produce at low prices, opened a store in Nichols Hills last month, catching the attention of some students.
The new store features hand-painted murals of Oklahoma City landmarks like the State Capitol, Bricktown district, Route 66, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
At the grand opening Sept. 23, employees decorated the storefront with balloons and an elaborate pumpkin display. A live band performed outside while workers inside offered samples of Trader Joe’s food.
Until the opening of the store, the nearest Trader Joe’s to OCU was in Tulsa.
Some students said they love the store because it provides inexpensive options, even for people with dietary restrictions.
“It’s amazing! Cookie butter is life,” said Sarah Lapaz, music theater senior. “I also found $0.19 bananas and diary free ice cream that actually had the right consistency of ice cream. Top notch.”
According to an article from USA Today, Trader Joe’s attracts college students across the country because it’s low prices allow them to make five “gourmet” meals for $25.
Caroline Stella, acting senior, said she feels healthy consuming the Trader Joe brand.
“I’m very excited because Trader Joe’s has great selections that don’t have a lot of additives,” she said. “The TJ brand is really trustworthy, whereas at Walmart, you look at the ingredients, and it’s a bunch of shit you can’t name cause it’s all chemicals.”
Trader Joe’s stores continually update their grocery selections with new products from their brand. Recent products released since September include grainless granola, buenalba cheese with paprika, peach apricot flavored black tea, and coffee mochi, according to their website.
Kally Duncan, acting senior, said she goes to Trader Joe’s for the mochi, a Japanese rice cake with an ice cream filling, but cannot find everything she wants there.
“I love that I can find mochi there, and they also have a a great selection of cheeses,” she said. “However, I recommend they get haloumi cheese. It doesn’t melt, so you can grill it and use it as a burger patty. Whole Foods has it.”
Trader Joe’s, 6409 Avondale Dr. Nichols Hills, OK, is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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