Trader Joe’s to open 1 million-square-foot distribution center

Later this year, Trader Joe’s will begin a massive construction project on a 1 million-square-foot food assembly and distribution center in Palmdale, Calif., according to local news outlet Whittier Daily News. 

The facility is said to be the first distribution center in Los Angeles County and the company’s largest logistics location in California. Trader Joe’s has operations at additional distribution centers already in Fontana and Stockton. In fact, the city estimates construction and improvements to cost more than $150 million. 

Expected to be completed by next year, the site will employ up to 1,000 workers across three buildings: An 827,000-square-foot “hub” building, a 211,000-square-foot freezer facility, and a 6,000-square-foot accessory building.

In order to accommodate its size, the city needed to improve several conditions for the project including widening the avenue, installation of sidewalks, bike paths, traffic signals, etc. 

Construction of the logistics center is scheduled to begin in December and be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the purpose to support Trader Joe’s stores throughout the Southern California region.  

The distribution center opening comes after Trader Joe’s recently discussed on a podcast that it intends to lean on its strengths and “be a brick-and-mortar on purpose,” starting with what’s inside its stores.

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