Trader Joe’s may open in New Orleans. Should the grocery chain come to the MS Coast?

A Trader Joe’s grocery store might soon open on a vacant lot in New Orleans, according to a report by Nola.com.

If all goes well with permits, the store proposed on Tulane Avenue could open in late 2024. It would be the first in Orleans Parish and would be located in the Mid-City neighborhood.

The land has become a prime piece of real estate, as it is in the growing medical district in that part of the New Orleans, according to Nola.com.

The Feil Organization owns the property and is leading the project. While the developers have only identified the project as a “specialty store,” a business source told Nola.com it will be Trader Joe’s. The renderings show designs comparable to other Trader Joe’s stores across the country.

There are already two Trader Joe’s locations in Louisiana — the grocery stores are in Metairie and Baton Rouge. There are more than 500 Trader Joe’s stores across the U.S., and two more are opening soon in Florida and New York.

The California-based grocery store chain is popular for its affordable prices, store brands, fresh produce, frozen meals and snacks. Stores also have a large beer and wine selection. Trader Joe’s “hauls” and recipes have also gone viral on TikTok, as many influencers shop there for groceries and meals.

The news about Trader Joe’s comes at a time when many grocery store chains are expanding in the Deep South and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Rouses is opening a new grocery store in Biloxi, and ALDI recently opened their first location on the Coast in Ocean Springs.

Walmart stores still dominate the grocery store scene in South Mississippi, and Sun Herald readers have often asked for selections in cities across the Coast.

Do you think Trader Joe’s should consider opening a grocery store on the Mississippi Coast? You can take our sunherald.com survey now.