Trader Joe's to open at Medical Center Pkwy/Robert Rose Dr: 'People are really excited'

Murfreesboro will gain a Trader Joe's at Medical Center Parkway and Robert Rose Drive, Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland confirmed.

"For months, we were saying specialty grocer, but this is where Trader Joe's is going to be located," McFarland said Monday (July 15) with a sideview of where crews are building the store within a couple of miles from an Interstate 24 interchange to the parkway. "I think that's going to be a welcome addition to our community. A lot of people are really excited about it."

Not just Nashville: A Trader Joe's is coming to Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro-based TDK is building the leased 13,050-squre-foot specialty grocery store as part of a commercial and residential project called The Exchange. The project include that includes 16,920 square feet of retail shops and restaurants, said Ross Bradley, vice president of development for the local company. Bradley declined to identify the name of the tenant for the specialty grocery store.

The California-based Trader Joe's has two locations in Nashville, and one each in neighboring Franklin west of Murfreesboro, Chattanooga and Knoxville, according to an internet search.

The chain is known for selling popular affordable products such as Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Teeny Tiny Avocados, Everything But The Leftovers Seasoning Blend and Stir Fried Garlicky Cabbage.

The mayor previously announced in January that Trader Joe's is coming to Murfreesboro without providing location details. The national retailer confirmed in January and again in July through spokesperson Nakia Rohde about the city getting a future store.

"While I can share that we have plans to open a store in Murfreesboro, I do not have a location or timeline to confirm," the Trader Joe's spokesperson said.

Other proposed food stores: Hy-Vee plans approved for two Murfreesboro grocery stores

Mayor says Trader Joe's seeks communities with rising incomes

Trader Joe's only comes to communities "where they see household income going up," and "where they see median income going up," McFarland said.

Fast-growing Murfreesboro reached an estimated population of 165,430 July 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The same federal government study examining data 2018-22 data measured in 2022 dollars shows the city with a median household income of $70,451, which trails the national rate of $75,149.

McFarland recalled his initial attempts after winning his seat in 2014 to talk to representatives with Trader Joe's and Whole Foods about opening specialty grocery stores in Murfreesboro.

"Couldn't get anyone to return our calls calls or to really talk with us," McFarland said. "So Sprouts came."

Grocery store development: Could another Publix be headed to Murfreesboro's Blackman community?

Sprouts Farmers Market arrives in Murfreesboro before Trader Joe's

The Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market announced the opening of a store by 2016 off Memorial Boulevard on the northside of Murfreesboro after McFarland met for lunch with a representative of the grocery company in Nashville, the mayor said.

"They've been a welcome addition to our community," McFarland said.

The mayor mentioned road projects being a key to attracting retailers, such as the city widening Medical Center Parkway from four to six lanes.

2020 grocery store plan: Aldi targets pursues another store plan in Murfreesboro

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This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Trader Joe's to open at Medical Center Pkwy/Robert Rose Dr: 'People are really excited'