When you suddenly hear people talking about cookie butter, $3 wine, and frozen mandarin orange chicken packs that somehow taste like restaurant takeout, it can only mean one thing: Trader Joe’s is coming to town.
Neighborhoods actually do count down the days until they “get” a Trader Joe’s because there’s just something about those handwritten signs, and the thrill of discovering a satisfying snack you never knew you needed.
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For many communities, a Trader Joe’s isn’t just a grocery store, it’s a lifestyle upgrade, a conversation starter, and a sign that your neighborhood has officially made it.
Now, many more East Coasters will be happy because Trader Joe’s is making a major move to expand its operations in New York and surrounding areas.
The beloved grocery chain has entered into a contract to acquire a 66-acre parcel of land in Islandia, located in Suffolk County, according to a report from Long Island Business News.
Trader Joe’s will reportedly open a massive warehouse and distribution center on Long Island.
Image source: John Greime/Getty Images
Trader Joe’s boosts regional supply chain with new warehouse, distribution center
The company reportedly has plans to build a massive new warehouse and distribution center on Long Island. The proposed development spans more than 921,000 square feet, including a 756,000-square-foot warehouse, 125,000 square feet of freezer storage, and a maintenance facility measuring just over 6,200 square feet.
The new complex would significantly boost Trader Joe’s distribution capacity in the region and help the company streamline operations to serve its rapidly growing customer base across New York and nearby markets.
Costco and Trader Joe’s both have efficient logistics and distribution systems that allow them to get goods to stores relatively quickly.
Currently, Trader Joe’s operates seven stores across Long Island — five in Nassau County and two in Suffolk County. Additionally, the grocer has a strong presence in the neighboring boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, which are also geographically part of Long Island. There are three stores in each area.
Despite this dense network of locations, Trader Joe’s has no local distribution hub nearby.
Right now, the closest Trader Joe’s distribution center is located in Bath, Pennsylvania, a town north of Allentown. That 530,000-square-foot facility includes refrigerated storage, air-conditioned areas, ambient dry storage, and over 100 loading docks.
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The Pennsylvania location is more than 100 miles from Long Island, which can make it difficult to deliver perishable goods, since it’s at least a three-hour trip.
The new Islandia facility would reduce transportation times and delivery costs and improve product freshness and availability in stores throughout the greater New York area.
With over 900,000 square feet of space, the Long Island project suggests Trader Joe’s has plans to stake an even bigger claim in the region.
Trader Joe’s continues with its strategic expansion
In 2024, Trader Joe’s opened 34 new stores, and 2025 will see 21 new locations, including six across New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
A new regional distribution center on Long Island could pave the way for future store openings in additional parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties. It may also better position the retailer to weather supply chain disruptions, manage rising transportation costs, and meet increased consumer demand across New York and neighboring states.
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The Long Island project is still in the early stages, but it could bring significant economic benefits to the Islandia area. Large-scale distribution centers like the one TJ’s has planned often create as many as 800 jobs, both in construction and long-term warehouse operations.
The proposed facility may also boost demand for local logistics, trucking, and maintenance services.
Trader Joe’s has not yet publicly commented on the timeline or details of the Islandia project, but the deal is expected to draw close attention from local officials and community stakeholders. As the company works through zoning approvals and site planning, more information is likely to emerge in the coming months.
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