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PROVO — After a recent city meeting, Provo City officials are taking the initiative to bring Trader Joe’s to their city.
The Provo Retail Summit was held Feb. 11 and city officials surveyed residents to see what new retailers were wanted in the city. Of the 2,361 people who took the retail survey, 74 percent said they wanted to see a Trader Joe’s in Provo, according to the Provo Mayor’s blog.
Known for its signature food items (Triple Ginger Snaps, I’m looking at you,) Trader Joe’s opened its first Utah location in Salt Lake City at the end of 2012. The chain opened a second location in Cottonwood Heights in February 2015.
Provo City officials responded to the public feedback by creating a campaign to entice the neighborhood grocery store to open a new location in Provo. As part of the campaign, a Facebook page was created and Provo Mayor John Curtis asked that people join the group and share comments, pictures and videos explaining why Trader Joe’s should open in Provo.
Curtis also asked that residents write letters or emails sharing experiences of why they love Trader Joe’s. The letters can be dropped off at the Provo Trader Joe’s box located at the Provo City Center or emailed to provotraderjoes@provo.org. Curtis said he will personally deliver the letters to the Trader Joe’s corporate office in Monrovia, California.
A video contest was also created Feb. 24 as part of the campaign. People can submit YouTube videos “explaining why Provo is a perfect fit for Trader Joe’s,” the blog said. Submissions will be accepted for the next couple months through the Trader Joe's for Provo Facebook page and the winner will be awarded $500.
Provo City officials will also be hosting weekly giveaways and challenges to encourage residents to participate in the initiative. Some of the prizes will include Trader Joe’s swag and #ProvoRocks T-shirts and weekly winners will be announced on the Facebook page, the blog said.
Editor's Note: It was initially incorrectly reported that the Trader Joe's in Cottonwood Heights was opened in March 2014. It opened in February 2015.
