New Look Coming to Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s in the Village is getting a makeover that will make it feel so Grosse Pointe.

And that’s the point.

The Monrovia, CA-based chain is moving away from its themed interiors that typically have a beachy, tropical paradise feel to a look that is reflective of the community each individual store calls home.

For Grosse Pointe, that means sidewalk scenes that speak to the Village – you’ll see one in a mural behind the tasting counter. You’ll see in the street signs added to each checkout lane – all of them streets in the City – University, Lakeland, Neff. 

Three artists on staff at the Trader Joes on Kercheval in the Village are responsible for the new artwork. It’s their job, among others, to update all the store signage and chalkboards known for funny sayings and pictures.  The back of the store houses all sorts of props, paints and other materials to decorate the store.

The Grosse Pointe-themed makeover could be done within a few weeks. In the meantime, you’ll still see the coconuts, birds and other scenery painted when the store opened in 2008. One touch by TJ’s Grosse Pointe artists was a tortoise shell transformed into a restroom sign.

But mixed in – and freshly painted – are post-card-like pictures along the aisles that show Lake St. Clair, the Provencal-Weir House and other distinctly Grosse Pointe places and scenery. More walls are still to be painted.

Fun art and attitude in the design and with store is part of the shopping experience at Trader Joes.

One new addition between the checkout lanes and the customer service counter – the Ambassador Bridge, reminds shoppers of the company’s return policy: “We tried it and liked it. If you don’t , bring it back.”

Once the Grosse Pointe re-dux is done a shopping trip will be a reminder of things makes Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe - the lake, the strolling, the history.

No word yet on whether Jo-Jo, the hide-and-go-seek stuffed – increasingly dingy, toucan that has kid shoppers reporting the bird’s location in exchange for a goodie, will be replaced.

Maybe a fish fly?