ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — The only Trader Joe's in the Western New York region is on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst, but could that be changing?
The Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce is advocating for the opening of a location in the Village of Orchard Park and has proposed 4060 North Buffalo Street, formerly Orchard Fresh, as the location.
A post on its Facebook page says in part:
"Are you eager to see Trader Joe's in our community? Well, here's our chance to make it happen! Join us in advocating for the opening of Trader Joe's in the Village of Orchard Park!
With the nearest Trader Joe's located on Niagara Falls Boulevard, it's time to bring this popular grocery store closer to home."
The Chamber of Commerce said it needs your support to make it a reality and posted a link to sign a petition, which has over 3,000 signatures as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
"Your support is essential in making this dream a reality. Sign their petition and spread the word to your friends and family. Let's show Trader Joe's how much our community wants them here!"
Southtowns neighbors that 7 News spoke with said they would welcome the grocery store with open arms.
The major draw for shoppers: cheaper prices at checkout.
Making ends meet to keep food on the table is a major stressor for many here in Western New York.
Though grocery prices seem to be leveling out, according to NerdWallet, shoppers are still spending 2.6% more at checkout, when comparing 2023 prices to 2024.
According to Consumer Checkbook, the receipt at Trader Joe's is typically 10% to 20% lower than other major grocery chains.
This is why many Southtown leaders and neighbors said they would love to have a location closer to home.
Tuesday night, 7 News' Pheben Kassahun turned the mic over to them as they shared their hopes for this petition.
"Everything that you get there is good," West Seneca resident Kathy Smithers said.
There's a building ready to go on North Buffalo Street, right where Orchard Fresh used to be.
Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce executive director Don Lorentz said, "Tops who owned Orchard Fresh decided right after COVID, to just condense their labor force and bring the Orchard Fresh products to the Tops Supermarkets that's about a mile away from there."
Lorentz told Kassahun that since Orchard Fresh's closure four years ago the storefront has sat empty.
That is where Trader Joe's comes in to not only fill the void but give the people what they want.
"When I chose to go after Trader Joe's, it's because our demographics in our area match what they're looking for completely," Village of Orchard Park Mayor Jo Ann Litwin Clinton said. "Our income, our education levels. Everything matches up."
Clinton said one of the major concerns for residents is that there is not a local grocery store in the Village.
Mayor Clinton said, "There's an ALDI and Tops probably about a mile up the road but that's a different demographic and that's a different area. We're looking for a boutique store that has specialty items. That's what the community wants. That's what Orchard Fresh had."
She is hoping to change that by rallying the village through a Change.org petition.
Mayor Clinton said, "I started the petition just last Friday because I want to show the Trader Joe people that we have the interest and that our residents want this. Not just our residents, but all residents around here could use this in the Southtowns."
The response has been overwhelming, nearly reaching its goal of 5,000 signatures. You can find the petition here.
"Trader Joe's is an experience. My wife and I would go there. When you go there, you find things that you can't get anywhere else," Lorentz said.
Village of Orchard Park resident Alexis Sparcino said, "I love their freezer section. I think they're actually affordable. I think there are many options. I think it'll bring a ton of traffic to this whole entire parking lot."
From a chamber perspective, the foot traffic would be a bonus for businesses.
Lorentz said, "Orchard Park has a lot of eclectic businesses here. We have small boutiques, larger boutiques, specialty restaurants, bakeries, things like that. Trader Joe's would fit that demographic beautifully."
Sparcino said, "It's been pretty dead. I'm pretty sure some of these stores around here were ready to close, so bringing that here to Orchard Park would be very beneficial."
And alleviate a roughly 30-minute drive for Southtowns residents to get to the Northtowns location.
Smithers added, "It would be convenient for a lot of people; Orchard Park, West Seneca, Lancaster. I know a lot of people that drive all the way out there. It's very time-consuming."
7 News reached out to Trader Joe's for comment and has yet to hear back about considering expanding in Western New York.
Additionally, if Trader Joe's decides the Village is not the location for the grocery store chain, Village officials hope at least to open up a dialogue for the Village for a similar boutique grocery store like Dash's.
