TRADER JOE’S IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO OPENING IN UPTOWN NEW ORLEANS

On Thursday, July 25, the New Orleans City Council approved a request by developers to demolish a building at the corner of Freret Street and Napoleon Avenue, making the possibility of a Trader Joe’s in Uptown New Orleans one step closer to reality.

The authorization comes two months after the City Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the grocery store at 2428 Napoleon Avenue. During that May 28 meeting, developers requested a permit for a grocery store over 10,000 square feet that sells packaged alcoholic beverages in a Historic Urban Neighborhood. Land use consultant Michael Sherman and developer Zach Kupperman, who’s been involved with trendy local projects like the Drifter Hotel, Hotel Saint Vincent, and the forthcoming Hotel Freedia with Big Freedia, said they were not at liberty to disclose the grocer; an anonymous source has since confirmed to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate that — as suspected — the company is Trader Joe’s.

The CPC approved the permit unanimously on the condition that the Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) also approved demolishing the 67-year-old Our Lady of Lourdes school building on the lot. In a meeting on June 5, the HDLC denied the request for demolition, citing the “significance of the structure to the Our Lady of Lourdes Complex and the historic fabric of the Uptown Historic District.”

Developers then filed an appeal, sending the issue to the City Council. The council overrode the commission on Thursday and unanimously granted zoning approval for the project. According to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, that’s the final approval needed from the city for the project to move forward.

The Uptown store is one of two Trader Joe’s in the works for New Orleans (the store’s only other area location is in neighboring Jefferson Parish). There is also one in development in Mid-City (at 2537 Tulane Avenue), which, according to recently filed building permits, could be completed later this year. Trader Joe’s refuses to confirm either store, however, and both Sherman and Kupperman have declined to comment to Eater.

The cult grocery chain, with its devoted fan base and secretive tendencies, is known for its inventory of white-labeled snacks, pantry items, and more sold at relatively affordable prices. It has also come under fire in recent years over allegations of cultural appropriation and exploiting smaller, independent food brands. After workers began organizing to form a union in 2020, some fired employees alleged retaliation against them for leading unionization efforts.

“To have a specialty grocery store that has affordable, fresh food and vegetables, that’s walkable, that’s on a public transportation system; that’s everything we could want,” said council member Lesli Harris on Thursday. A start date for the demolition has not yet been set.

2024-07-26T22:02:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd