Henrico County Economic Development Authority announced yesterday, that Trader Joe’s will open in the Short Pump area, adjacent to the new Whole Foods Market in early Fall. This is the most specific opening date that has been reported.

Trader Joe’s, a privately held grocery store company founded in 1958, will be opening a store in Henrico County’s Short Pump Station shopping center by the early fall of 2008. It currently has over 280 locations in 23 states. While it carries standard items, it is primarily an organic grocer offering both private label and store brand organic products which translates to lower prices for the consumer. Trader Joe’s will be located near a current Ukrops, Kroger and the future Whole Foods Market which will be opening at the West Broad Village across from the Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market. “It’s not surprising that Trader Joe’s found their way to Henrico County, said Toney Hall, marketing director for the Henrico Economic Development Authority. A grocer of this nature adds another element of variety to our mixed use, community-oriented living environment.”