Gristedes' New Store No Longer a 'Trader'

NEW YORK — Gristedes has covered up the word 'Trader' on the exterior signs of its revamped store on 14th Street here after rival Trader Joe's filed a lawsuit alleging trade dress infringement.

The 10,00-square-foot "Trader John's" store opened as simply "John's" on Thursday. In an interview with SN before changing the sign, John Catsimatidis, chairman of Gristedes parent Red Apple Group, said he was considering changing to a similar name such as "Cheap John's" or "John's Bargain Store."

In filings with the U.S. District Court here on Wednesday, Monrovia, Calif.-based Trader Joe's said it withdrew its objection to Gristedes' internal decor package, but argued forcefully that the word "Trader" should not appear in the store's name. Gristedes had offered to change the name to "Gristede's Trader John's," but Trader Joe's said that would only cause more customer confusion.

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