Trader Joe's eyeing Portland
By Matt Wickenheiser mwickenheiser@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
Grocery chain Trader Joe's is seeking permission from the federal government to buy the former Wild Oats Market store on Marginal Way in Portland.
Trader Joe's is seeking permission to locate a store at the Marginal Way site of the former Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, shown in this 2005 photo.
Press Herald file photo
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According to a release from the Federal Trade Commission filed Tuesday, the agency is seeking public comments on the deal. Whole Foods Market Inc. acquired Wild Oats Market Inc. in 2007.
Whole Foods opened its Portland store in 2007, and soon closed the nearby Wild Oats Market.
Last year, Whole Foods Market announced it would sell 13 stores to resolve the FTC’s challenge of its $565 million purchase of Wild Oats. Whole Foods said it would also sell leases and assets of 19 Wild Oats stores that have closed. Rumors have swirled around Portland since the Wild Oats store was closed that Trader Joe’s was eyeing the market.
Federal regulators had challenged Whole Foods’ 2007 acquisition of Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats, worrying the deal would create a natural-food monopoly.
FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said in a statement last year that selling the stores would “substantially” restore competition that the purchase eliminated.
Whole Foods and Wild Oats were each other’s closest competitors in markets where they overlapped, the FTC said.
For information on how to comment to the FTC, visit their Web site.
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52 COMMENTS
root66 said...
This is great news for Portland.Now that so many people are boycotting Whole Foods becuse of the statement made by there CEO John Mackey.I am hopping to work for Trader joes.Great place to work .
March 10, 2010 at 12:40 PM Report abuse
null said...
Very good news! I'm a BIG fan of TJs. I shop at their Mass. stores often. Good buys, lot's of fun and different items. Really hope this works out - I'll be a frequent shopper for sure!
March 10, 2010 at 1:01 PM Report abuse
PtldRaised said...
I travel to MA monthly to go to Trader Joe's, I LOVE them. They are more affordable and have better customer service. I welcome the Trader Joe's family to Maine. Can't wait!!
March 10, 2010 at 1:03 PM Report abuse
gotogoal said...
Whole Paycheck's acquisition of Wild Oats never should have been approved. Government of the corporation, by the corporation, and for the corporation. Let's hope TJ's comes to Portland....Whole Paycheck is a ripping us after Bush's FTC let any and all merger's go through - regardless of their impact on competition.
March 10, 2010 at 1:07 PM Report abuse
NH said...
Whole Foods stores are expensive and often have a snooty atmosphere. Trader Joe's format takes a little getting used to: stores are usually small with narrow aisles, and they have a bad habit of dropping products with no notice - BUT you can get tremendous bargains on all kinds of foods and other products there. I predict a Portland Trader's would do fantastic business.
March 10, 2010 at 1:07 PM Report abuse
Caveman said...
Uhh...why exactly does a free enterprise business need the Federal Trade Commissions 'permission' to open a store?
March 10, 2010 at 1:28 PM Report abuse
meta5 said...
the FTC isn't granting permission, they are forcing Whole Foods to sell so they won't be restraining trade. That's why we have regulation, to encourage competition. I know that's hard for you to get your head around.
March 10, 2010 at 1:38 PM Report abuse
nick_frost said...
Whole Foods holds the lease on the old WIld Oats space, TJs is asking the FTC to force Whole Foods to end their lease their so they can take it over == something that Whole Foods does not want to do.
March 10, 2010 at 1:39 PM Report abuse
RichCheese said...
root66 - I have been purposely shopping at Whole Foods since Mackey made his statement. Since, unlike most of the boycotters, I actually have a job and don't suck from the government teat I figure my shopping offsets the loss of spending of approx. 50 boycotters. Hooray Mackey! I will also shop at Trader Joe's though if they actually provide more jobs to the lazy, alt, 20 somethings that infest Portland and get them off the dole.
March 10, 2010 at 1:41 PM Report abuse
cat said...
Now all we need is Aldi (Trader Joe's sister supermarket chain) to come to Maine. They're already as close as Vermont, and Save-A-Lot could use the competition. http://www.aldi.us/index_ENU_HTML.htm
March 10, 2010 at 1:46 PM Report abuse
Jimbo said...
Trader Joes would be a great asset to Portland as there are so many of us who travel great distances to shop in their stores. I don't think Whole Foods has anything to worry about with competition from TJs, their store is always filled to capacity. Let us welcome Trader Joes to Portland, they have great products that are very affordable.
March 10, 2010 at 1:49 PM Report abuse
AR5 said...
Yeah! So many of us have been waiting for a TJs to come to Portland. I hope this happens soon!
March 10, 2010 at 1:55 PM Report abuse
coreyt said...
Sounds good to me. I've been to the Whole Foods in Bayside a few times and it seems like it is packed all the time. TJ's should do well.
March 10, 2010 at 2:12 PM Report abuse
DJ said...
TJ's is much cheaper than Whole Foods/Wild Oats and much better. Watch for specials -- grab them when in store or they'll be gone next time. You all will love this new retail outlet.
March 10, 2010 at 2:18 PM Report abuse
null said...
I knew this would be blamed on Bush!
March 10, 2010 at 2:18 PM Report abuse
nativemaina said...
Great more stuff from Mass. just what Maine needs more transplanted crap. Lets drive the Beemer to the grocery establishment for some humus and microbrew beers and bring it back to our condo and watch soccer.
March 10, 2010 at 2:36 PM Report abuse
Iwatch said...
Competition in a free market is a good thing. The more the better!!
March 10, 2010 at 3:02 PM Report abuse
bfrank said...
root66...are you going to HOP like a BUNNY ? LOL hey, at least it proves out that the comments are getting read !
March 10, 2010 at 3:04 PM Report abuse
TWFyay5L said...
This is great news! I love Trader Joe's! When I lived in Chicago I would go there all the time.
March 10, 2010 at 3:11 PM Report abuse
jad1 said...
I'm glad you shop at Whole Foods as a political statement, because there's no reason to shop there for any other reason. Their stuff is overpriced and much of it isn't even remotely healthy or organic. Welcome TJ's!
March 10, 2010 at 3:15 PM Report abuse
ZmV0dGE%3D said...
This is GREAT news for Portland. I too usually travel to Mass to go to Trader Joes. Now I can stay here in Maine. I'll still shop at Whole Foods for some stuff most likely. There's enough to go around!
March 10, 2010 at 3:18 PM Report abuse
root66 said...
Rich you should work for Whole Foods.I am sure you and John Mackey would be happy to hear your story.Who know maybe you can work in produce and feel al the melons.
March 10, 2010 at 3:34 PM Report abuse
root66 said...
BFrank no i not going to hop like a bunny.Thats your job.
March 10, 2010 at 3:36 PM Report abuse
null said...
I love Tjs!! Every time I visit NJ, I bring my list and stock up. That would be awesome if they came to Maine. Their prices are reasonable and make it affordable to eat healthily.
March 10, 2010 at 3:45 PM Report abuse
heyjoe said...
AS a negative nay-sayer according to some.... This is the greatest news since sliced bread....Jeezum-crow I've been saying this for years!!!! I want my commission!!!!
March 10, 2010 at 3:49 PM Report abuse
RichCheese said...
root66 - I would love to work for Whole Foods but I don't have any tattos or piercings. I don't wear horn rimmed glases and do enjoy washing my hair on a daily basis. I think those items is a prerequisite to being hired there. Hopefully for your sake not knowing how to write complete sentences or spell is a prerequisite for employment at Trader Joe's.
March 10, 2010 at 3:54 PM Report abuse
NoYaResident said...
This the greatest! We've been circulating petitions and we have written emails imploring them to come up here! When we travel to a place with a TJs, we bring along a massive cooler and ice to stock up! This will save me hundreds of dollars a month.
March 10, 2010 at 3:55 PM Report abuse
jennytu said...
YIPPEE!!! It's great to have a competitor for Whole Foods in Portland
March 10, 2010 at 4:09 PM Report abuse
Merrigan said...
The best thing about TJ's is that it is affordable, even if the Two Buck Chuck is I think more like $3. Forget Whole foods. It's surreal if you live north of Brunswick.
March 10, 2010 at 4:32 PM Report abuse
ISIW said...
Excellent news and about time. We drive to Nashua to shop at Trader Joes there (and visit nearby friends) about every 6 weeks or so. Hope it goes through!
March 10, 2010 at 4:40 PM Report abuse
Hicow said...
ISIW, I don't think you shop at Trader Joe's in Nashua. New Hampshire doesn't have any TJ's but Tyngesboro, MA does.
March 10, 2010 at 5:03 PM Report abuse
MainelyJack said...
They will be wildly successful. Interesting products, reasonable prices and you can't arugala anywhere.
March 10, 2010 at 5:42 PM Report abuse
reader said...
This is a BIG PLUS for Maine. how often do i say that? Trader Joe's products are low priced,lower than Walmart..... Their items are usually more healthy for you.....Some one mention ALDI....WALMART fears ALDI more than any other retailer. ALDI has a new store in Raynham,Ma, 1/2 mile from a Walmart.
March 10, 2010 at 5:54 PM Report abuse
reader said...
Working at Trader Joes?..basic low level employees make $40,000 a year ...that is not a typo
March 10, 2010 at 5:56 PM Report abuse
reader said...
By the way, two years ago when i lived in Maine, i wrote Trader Joes and asked them to open a store in Maine
March 10, 2010 at 5:58 PM Report abuse
kay said...
Yippeee!!!
March 10, 2010 at 5:58 PM Report abuse
redsoxgirl13 said...
This is terrific. I drive to MA now to go to Trader Joe's. Best food and best music in the store.
March 10, 2010 at 6:17 PM Report abuse
wononscopomu said...
SO EXCITED FOR TRADER JOE'S TO COME TO MAINE!! We stock up every two weeks in Connecticut or Massachusetts, and have visited Trader Joe's while visiting friends last year in California. I will not miss lugging my two big coolers up and down the East Coast if Trader Joe's parks right on Marginal Way. Yay!!
March 10, 2010 at 6:36 PM Report abuse
golf said...
I have been to one in Oregon, it was great place to shop. It should do real well in portland.
March 10, 2010 at 7:07 PM Report abuse
UofA said...
Sounds like a "Sam's Club. Just another business from away also! Maine doesn't like this do they?
March 10, 2010 at 10:04 PM Report abuse
reader said...
36 people voted NO...I bet they were all FAT ARSED Walmart employees
March 10, 2010 at 11:12 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
Trader Joe's? If you want me to be excited, get a Costco in Portland. The dirt hole in the ground known as BJ's doesn't provide real competition for Sam's.
March 11, 2010 at 7:43 AM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
"just another business from away"? Anyone who's ever been f***Ked over by one of our local businesses, like the local car dealerships, welcomes "business from away". The more the merrier. Unlike car dealers, we won't have to go out of State to buy from them.
March 11, 2010 at 7:46 AM Report abuse
bWFpbmVydW5uZXI%3D said...
The only concern I have is if Trader Joe's will be able to keep their shelves stocked with all of the business they are going to get. Smart move coming to Portland, can't wait for them to open shop!
March 11, 2010 at 8:59 AM Report abuse
hoffenpot said...
Yeah! Trader Joe's is finally coming to Portland. It's about frickin' time! I enjoy going to the one in Boston (Back Bay). For those of you not familiar with this chain, you'll love it. Great food, prices are decent and the atmosphere is superb. Portland will be a nice fit.
March 11, 2010 at 12:45 PM Report abuse
Rebecca said...
I'm excited to try Trader Joe's, though I wish they'd pick a more convenient location than Marginal Way...
March 11, 2010 at 3:10 PM Report abuse
dankany said...
I love Trader Joe's. I lived for a while in a city that had TJ's and WholePayCheck: While I shopped at both, I really prefer Trader Joe's. I stopped at the one in Saugus TWICE so far in 2010 and have spent over $300 already this year.
March 11, 2010 at 3:35 PM Report abuse
sab69 said...
The only thing I miss about Massachusetts IS Trader Joe's. It would be such an asset to Portland. So many choices of food with reasonable prices. I moved up here 10 mos. ago and still miss TJ's. Plus creating jobs in the city! A win/win all around! Hope it opens before Thanksgiving time, they sell great Kosher & Free Range turkeys! Here's hoping we hear those bells soon!
March 11, 2010 at 5:13 PM Report abuse
fuzzball said...
Very good news for the Portland area. Whole Foods will definately suffer, something I'm looking forward to. Over priced crap and moonbat following. The few times I've been there I inevitably see a welfare maggot buying top dollar yuppie food and using his/her welfare food card. No shame with these lay-abouts.
March 11, 2010 at 6:02 PM Report abuse
fuzzball said...
Very good news for the Portland area. Whole Foods will definately suffer, something I'm looking forward to. Over priced crap and moonbat following. The few times I've been there I inevitably see a welfare maggot buying top dollar yuppie food and using his/her welfare food card. No shame with these lay-abouts.
March 11, 2010 at 6:06 PM Report abuse
null said...
Absolutely. My girlfriend and I make a regular trip down from Bangor to MA for TJ's. Getting one of our very own in Portland would be phenomenal
March 14, 2010 at 7:39 PM Report abuse
c3RtZW50YWw%3D said...
If you want to help get Trader Joes in Portland, leave the FTC a public comment letting them know that (you have until April 5th): https://public.commentworks.com/ftc/wholefoodspet2/
March 22, 2010 at 10:43 AM Report abuse