Wasn't it Pasadena?

Close but no patchouli....

from Wikipedia:

"The first store named "Trader Joe's" opened its doors in 1967. This store, on Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena, California, remains in operation."

First one AFIR was in Eagle Rock.....right next door. I saw it open.

I guess my Mommy was wrong 'cause the internet says so....oh well.

Sorry Mikez. That was all that I could find. Since you have first hand info from your mother, you should make the correction in Wikipedia.

Wasn't the first Bob's Big Boy in Pasadena too?

I used to shop there sometimes when I lived around the corner. Impeccable offerings and the service was the best of any sizable market I have ever seen, including Gelsons.

With regard to Trader Joes, we do as much as 1/3rd or so of our shopping there now. A very nice store opened up in our neighborhood last year whereas previously it was a 5+ mile schlep. I eat a lot of their prepared/frozen meals these days as I have no time to cook anymore and barely any time to eat. Also buy their decadent goodies, coffee, nuts & berries, cheese and yogurt, chips/crackers and various other stuff. Still go to Albertsons for most staples and household goods.

Aldi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"In the United States, Aldi Nord is the parent company of the Trader Joe's niche food stores, while Aldi Süd operates the regular Aldi stores in the country.'

Aldi
-Has the lowest prices on almost everything, hands down.
-Ready cook bag meals($3.50 versus $6.50).
-Pizza also cheap.
-Chocolates(especially during the holiday) are often Belgium and of exceptional quality.
-Beer is $6 and mid-grade, which is suprising from a German company. Wine is passable, barely. Trader Joes is a bit better, but both are cheaper than anywhere else.
-There's a lot of the same foods that Americans normally eat, but is not packaged/displayed right and often unseen/overlooked.
-Bring a quarter for a shopping cart, and cloth bags if you remember.

TJ's
-Best sourdough bread anywhere except a bakery.
-Good frozen selection. Expensive seafood(but it all is). Gyozas and bagged vegetables are excellent.
-Lots of different chocolate snacks, all good.
-Exotic sauces in jars to experiment.

We like them...

It's rare than one of their pre-made meals isn't good. ...and it's inexpensive... ...and they use little or no preservative's. Compared to the supermarket, they are heaven. ...and no "pretentious tax" like whole foods.

i LOVE Aldi (or as they call it in Austria...Hofer). I've mentioned on here before how much I like their business model. The cashiers are timed for efficiency and must meet a minimum item/scan time. A lot of their dairy is locally sourced dairy with their own label on it. I used to throw HUGE parties where I'd 50 people over or so, and I always provided the food and beverages. $500 in alcohol (couple of kegs and liquor) and then a few hundred bucks of food from Aldi would keep 50 people happy all night long. Their frozen appetizers and snack stuff was awesome. During the winter, they get a lot of german strudel type things. a lot of their stuff is seasonal.

...oh yeah, and i love the lack of errant shopping carts just sitting in the parking lot. that's my number one pet peeve.

Americans may have a difficult time adjusting on their first trip to ALDI.
"What, I need a quarter to get a cart?"(returnable)
"What, I need to bag my own stuff?" (takes a minute and they give you a counter)
"What, I need to pay .05 for a bag?" (after saving many tens of dollars)