Trader Joe's is one of our favorite spots for stocking up on seasonings, craveable snacks, and cult-favorite products you can only find at TJ's. While many Trader Joe's are pretty similar, there are some standout stores that have unique personalities. Whether it's housed in a historic building, is one of the OG TJ's, or has a massive wine selection, these are the best, most unique Trader Joe's locations in the country. If you really love Trader Joe's, it might be time for a field trip.
Houston, Texas
2922 S Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX
Houston is home to three Trader Joe's, but there's one that used to be a movie theater. It was formerly the Alabama Theater, which was constructed in 1939 with an art deco style. The building also held a bookstore before it was converted into a TJ's in 2011.
Brooklyn, New York
130 Court St., Brooklyn, NY
The Court Street Trader Joe's in Brooklyn is housed in a former bank and is also a protected historical site. While many Trader Joe's can feel cramped and dark, this one has beautiful tall ceilings, arched windows, and marble! You read that right—marble. There's even a plaque outside commemorating George Washington and The Battle of Long Island.
Media, Pennsylvania
12 E State St., Media, PA
This is another TJ's housed in a historic building. The structure was built in 1908 for the Media Armory, and according to the Trader Joe's website it was once used as a gymnasium that hosted sock hops. Now, it's a truly unique Trader Joe's that happens to have the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum in the basem*nt, so you can stock up on snacks and get a history lesson.
Woodland Hills, California
21055 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA
California isn't just the birthplace of Trader Joe's, but it's also wine country, so it only makes sense that Cali TJ's have some pretty good wine. A 2021 story by the company says that the Woodland Hills location has the largest wine selection on the entire West Coast.
New York, New York
2073 Broadway, New York, NY
Let me just say, this TJ's is always busy no matter what time you shop. The two-story building on 72nd Street and Broadway is known to the busiest Trader Joe's in the world. It's basically a tourist attraction for any diehard TJ's fans—and you might even spot celebrities there.
Pasadena, California
610 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA
Trade Joe's was founded in California, so it's only natural that it has the most stores. One of four locations in Pasadena, this one is the original, not just in the city, but in the entire country. It was established in 1967, and if you're a TJ's buff, you'll have to check this one out.
Boston, Massachusetts
899 Boylston St., Boston MA
And lastly, an adorable, super-tiny TJ's store can be found in Boston. The Back Bay Trader Joe's is both underground and the smallest TJ's, according to the website.
Associate Editor
As the Associate Editor at Delish, Allie is a writer, reporter, and producer of features at the intersection of food and culture. Before Delish, Allie worked for publications including Apartment Therapy and Insider. She even spent time working in restaurants and breweries. Allie has dumpster-dived in NYC to expose food waste, reported on the invasive lionfish you can eat, and wrote about the growing trend of weed weddings. Her health and nutrition stories on hydration culture, bananas, and coffee have generated nearly 2M combined views. She loves traveling, running, and eating her way through new places and even has a thorough Google Maps ranking system for her favorite restaurants and bars! When not writing about food, she's planning her next trip, lifting weights, or training for a race.
Expertise: food & culture (Sustainability, Health, Travel)
Education: M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University, B.S. in Information Science (User Experience Design) from the University of Michigan
