Shopping at Trader Joe’s

I remember when shopping at Trader Joe’s was fun and relaxing. The environment was different than that of other stores. Now, with two kids, Trader Joe’s is still my favorite store to shop but sometimes I want to avoid the place. Why, you ask.

Today I made a trip to the Trader Joe’s that is 45 minutes from my house with my 3 year old daughter and my 8 month old son. I have one of those nifty little shopping cart covers to put the baby in and of course my daughter wants to get in the big part of the basket. Well, the baskets at Trader Joe’s are smaller than usual and the wheels on them make them swerve and sway. So, my daughter takes up the bulk of my grocery space and as we go down the first aisle of the store, my 8 month old decides he is no longer happy in the cart. Of course I left my sling in the car so now I’m carry him around while trying to steer my swervy, swaying cart with one hand down the skinny little aisles.

For as much as I love the food at Trader Joe’s, I feel equally opposite about their choice of shopping carts. I once asked an employee why the carts were like this…I always thought maybe they opted for some cheap version. The employees explained that Trader Joe’s actually did some testing and found that carts with swervy wheels actually manuevered better in narrow aisles. Well, at least it was planned out.

At least I don’t have to go to often. When I do make my trip to Trader Joe’s I stock my cupboard with all the great fixin’s so I don’t have to go back for another month. Hopefully soon we’ll get a Trader Joe’s where I live so I can go with just one child or maybe even alone.