Why is the Foggy Bottom Trader Joe’s Asking For Our Zip Codes? Could Plans for an Expansion be in the Works?

I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries from folks along the lines of what @MuddyMaeSuggins wrote me last week:

“ @PoPville Trader Joes in FBottom has started asking customers for their zip during check out. Never used to. mayB plans 4 new one?”

Back in June ’10 we discussed some scuttlebutt that Trader Joe’s was considering a 14th and U St, NW location. At the time some other media outlets inquired with the Trader Joe’s PR department and Trader Joe’s denied any expansion plans in DC. Nevertheless, I’ve been consistently hearing that Trader Joe’s is indeed interested in a U St, NW location. I think it’s gonna be in one of those huge projects planned for 13th or 14th and U St, NW? But who knows it could be a different neighborhood all together or it could be nowhere.

But first people want to know – why is Trader Joe’s Foggy Bottom location now asking for people’s zip codes? Could this be an indicator that they may be considering another DC location?

If I were betting man, I’d say TJ is def. going to expand in DC. It’s just a matter of when and where not if? I think the ball is rolling. It has a long journey but I think it’s started. I’d guess we won’t see a new one before a minimum of 5 years. Or whenever those major construction projects are completed along U St, NW. Or maybe the skeptics are right – maybe they’ve no intention to expand at all.

Of course the skeptics also doubted that a Ray’s the Steaks type joint from Michael Landrum would be coming to Mt Vernon Square.

Fine I’ll hedge my bets a little bit – put me down for a $100 that we’ll see a Trader Joe’s on U St, NW within the next 10 years.