According to building permits filed with the city of Tigard, the former Albertsons’ building at Tigard Towne Square (corner of Durham Road and Pacific Highway) will soon be getting a new Trader Joe’s. In early 2020, Planet Fitness took over approximately half of the building, leaving approximately 25,000 sq. ft. that has remained vacant for the last two and a half years.
A series of commercial building permits were filed with the city in early June for the site at 16200 S.W. Pacific Highway, but Trader Joe’s has declined comment on plans for the space. The company replied to a request for information with the written statement: “We consider many locations. All of the locations that are opening soon are listed on our website. Unfortunately, Tigard is not on the list at this time.”
The boutique-style, specialty grocer opened its 9th metro area store last fall on S.W. Garden Home Road in Portland, bringing its Oregon locations to 13. The California-based chain, named for founder Joe Coulombe, started as a convenience store chain in and around the Los Angeles area in 1958. It shifted to its hallmark tropical theme after Coulombe visited the Caribbean a decade later.
The company tailors most of its 500-plus locations to celebrate their immediate surrounding with artwork and local landmarks, like a Northeast Portland store that named each check stand for the surrounding streets.
Its original store, which opened in Pasadena, Calif., in 1967, is still operating.
