Trader Joe's is Greed

Hey did you hear, Trader Joe's is finally coming to KC with 2 locations, Ward Parkway Center and 119th and Roe. I like Trader Joe's and I'm somewhat excited about it coming to town. But, it seems to me the excitement is a little much and mostly from people who aren't fans of the very trait that allows Trader Joe's to exist, nay thrive, greed.

Want of a Trader Joe's is greedy. I've lived in KC for nearly 10 years. Not one time, not once, was I unable to find a food item that Trader Joe's carries. I'm not talking about something with the Trader Joe's brand, just the food item. If I want linguine, I can get linguine. If I want trail mix, I can find trail mix. Not only that, but I lived over 20 years in Wichita, I never couldn't find something I wanted in Wichita. WICHITA, a town dominated by one grocery store chain. So, wanting Trader Joe's, a store that sells food, seems greedy to me when we already have so many food choices.

But, these same people who have pled, plotted and petitioned for a Trader Joe's might just as likely complain about banker's greed or taxing the hell out of rich people or say things like "how many boats can you ski behind". It's the exact same thing, we're all greedy, but, to paraphrase Milton Friedman, it's only the other guy who's greedy.

You may say, I might be greedy, but I'm just happy to get cheaper food and wine. But, that's the exact same greed as someone who doesn't want to pay higher taxes. We all just want to pay less for the necessities in life. But, Trader Joe's people are a little more greedy because they want to be cool while they save their money. They wouldn't be caught dead buying their groceries at Wal-Mart (even though Wal-Mart has better produce than most every grocery store) or Aldi (which is the exact same company as Trader Joe's). But, Trader Joe's is their kind of people, and the people who check the same box on their voter registration cards shop there and none of the pesky poor people with their ill fitting, badly matched clothes with more than 1 child will be there.

Like I said, I'll be happy to shop there and I have no problem saying I'm being greedy. I just prefer my excitement to be hypocrisy free.

So You're Telling Me There's a Chance

Joyce Smith is reporting that Trader Joe's is interested in opening in Kansas City, they just need to find the right location. This is certainly good news for those of us who really enjoy Trader Joe's.

Also, kudos to the KC Star for actually breaking a news story, no matter how insignificant. It just goes to show that newspapers aren't dead...yet.