Trader Joe’s opens in Fort Myers this week

Reporter: Nicole Gabe Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
trader joes

Another Trader Joe’s location is coming to Southwest Florida, this time in Fort Myers. The store is set to open Friday morning and will bring jobs with it.

WINK News Anchor Nicole Gabe got a sneak peek at what you can expect on opening day and what precautions they’re taking to keep you safe.

Masks and social distancing are a must at the new store located in the former Toys-R-Us at Page Field Commons, 4983 S. Cleveland Avenue. The store will only be allowing 40 to 50 customers inside at any given time.

The halls may be empty but employees are working hard to create the familiar feeling that people want and expect when Trader Joe’s opens on Friday. Anna Bushey is the captain of the new Trader Joe’s.

“Oh yeah! T minus four days, so yeah, 8 a.m. we open up and we have a little ribbon-cutting ceremony,” Bushey said. “And then it’s showtime. It’s going to be a big party.”

Even though the store won’t be open until Friday, people have already been stopping and asking questions.

“When? What took you so long? When are you opening? When can we come in? We have had tons of customers try to get in the door when they see crew training and stuff. We are excited to give it to them and stuff,” Bushey said.

Bushey moved to Fort Myers from Miami for the chance to open this store. She says she’s honored to be a part of a business that’s changing lives. They’re hiring locally and filling fridges with Trader Joe’s staples.

But really, she says it’s all about the impact one store opening can have on the community.

“You don’t realize the gift we are given to serve our community and I think that’s what we do at Trader Joe’s. You really serve our neighborhood and our community and everything that we do,” she said.

They’re serving the community by stocking the shelves, supplying essentials and just being heroes.

“I guess we became essential workers overnight and people started calling us local heroes and I couldn’t even believe it because we were just trying to sell groceries. I think it just feels good to do good for others, it’s contagious,” Bushey said.

So grab the chips, dip, and anything to sip on to prepare for the newest shop in Fort Myers.

Opening day is Friday, Feb. 5, and Trader Joe’s will hold a ceremony just before 8 a.m. before the store opens. Their daily hours will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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