Trader Joe's in Marin County closes for structural repair work

MARIN COUNTY, Calif. ( KRON ) — A Trader Joe’s in Marin County is closed due to structural repair work, the City of Larkspur confirmed. The closure was initially reported Monday to be due to a sinkhole, according to NextDoor posts and a Trader Joe’s employee who spoke to KRON4.

However, city officials then said on Tuesday that water damage in the Larkspur Trader Joe’s caused a “failing column located in the refrigeration area.” The column failure compromised at least one of the roof beams in the store.

The column failure is not related to a sinkhole, city officials said. Trader Joe’s added there is not a sinkhole in the store.

“Water damage, probably from all the refrigeration condensate, was occurring without the owner's knowledge for an extended time,” officials said.

Earlier in the week, multiple people told KRON4 the unexpected closure was due to a sinkhole forming towards the back of the store. Some customers said they saw Trader Joe's removing freezers from inside a few days ago.

“There weren't any big signs, so I just pulled in,” said customer Tony Zucker. “I still didn't realize they were closed, but I am not sure how they can communicate with the community better.”

Dozens of shoppers at the Larkspur Trader Joe’s were left empty-handed after being met with closed signs. Parts of the store appeared blocked off and covered.

Some customers said they have been trying to shop at the store for days.

“Maybe like a week and change ago, I had the same thing happen to me but a friendly person met me at the door and said ‘I am really sorry we have unplanned construction, and we will be back soon,'” said customer Robyn Rappe. “But clearly that hasn't happened yet.”

It is not clear when the store is set to reopen. Trader Joe’s said it looks to welcome customers back to the Larkspur store “as soon as possible.”

For now, shoppers are asked to head to the Trader Joe’s on 3rd Street in San Rafael.

“I am sure these other stores are probably suffering from the lack of overflow,” Zucker said. “But hopefully, this is short-lived.”

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