TRADER JOE'S TWO LONG ISLAND STORES HIT GOURMET GOLD

CAROL ANGRISANI

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- The popularity of specialty and gourmet foods is evident at Trader Joe Co.'s first two stores here.

Shoppers packed the aisles of the Commack unit, which opened in November, SN found during an in-store visit. The South Pasadena, Calif.-based chain's second area store, which opened several weeks ago in Oceanside, was just as busy.

During SN's Commack visit, consumers filled baskets with gourmet/specialty products like whole bean coffee, peanut butter pretzels and roasted garlic spaghetti sauce.

Both units here are part of an East Coast expansion by the 86-store chain, which also operates in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Other units opened recently in Scarsdale, N.Y., as well as in Brookline, Cambridge and Framingham, Mass.

Company officials declined comment on whether there are plans for additional stores in the area. But early last year, the specialty retailer said it planned to open at least 50 stores over the next few years in the area between Boston and Washington. At that time, company officials said it was targeting the area because of its dense population base.

Both Long Island stores offer about 800 items and are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. The units were introduced with a four-page direct-mail circular that included an entry form to win $50 of groceries. The drawing was held Dec. 18. A free Trader Joe's canvas bag was given to the first 1,000 people who entered the drawing.

Along with dry groceries, the stores stock pet food, frozen desserts and seafood, fresh baked goods, cheeses and personal care items. The majority of items are private label, though other brands are offered, such as Baker Josef's Pfeffernusse, German Christmas cookies.

"Hundreds of Unique Groceries Are Developed and Made Especially for Us, You Won't Find Them Any Place Else," its Long Island circular reads.

Frozen entrees, which range in price from $2.29 to $2.99, include enchiladas, tamales, burritos, chimichangas, taquitos, chicken pot pies and bouillabaisse seafood stew.

Several different types of frozen seafood prepared without chemicals are available, including line-caught frozen-at-sea swordfish, which retails at $4.99 per pound, and small scallops, $3.49 per pound.

On hand at the customer-service desk are fliers that list items suitable for sodium- and gluten-free and kosher diets.

Also available is a selection of fat-free and low-fat items, including 99% fat-free vegetarian black bean chili, $1.19 for a 15-ounce can; Trader Joe's baked tortilla chips, $1.69 for a 7-ounce bag; Greenfield's fat-free brownies, $1.99 for a package of five; and fat-free tomato herb salad dressing, at $1.59 for a 12.7-ounce bottle.