There’s a lot to love about Trader Joe’s.
And a lot to hate about its parking lot.
The clusterf***edness of the layout — the convergence of the entrance and exit (merging with traffic from Compo Acres shopping center); the narrow lanes; the shoppers walking through — is legendary.
The back of the lot is much calmer (though the exit that way, onto Compo Road South, is no prize).
Savvy customers know to park there — away from the chaos — and walk a few extra yards. You can leave via the Wells Fargo exit, then make a U-turn through the Exxon gas station if you need to.
Meanwhile, back there, Compo Acres management have put up a couple of quasi-helpful “Additional Parking” signs. They point to “Route 1 East” and “Route 1 West” — names by which no one ever calls the Post Road. (Click here to see.)
Alfred Herman, Sal Liccione, Clark Thiemann, Seth Schachter, Dave Eason, Peggy O’Halloran, Andrew Colabella, Jonathan McClure and Martha Witte all know where those signs are. Congratulations — and stay safe!
Interestingly, our Trader Joe’s is not the only one with a teeth-gnashing parking lot. It seems to be a chain-wide thing.
In fact, the company’s lots are so notoriously bad, Food & Wine wrote an entire story about it. Click here to read.
We head back indoors for this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Susan Garment)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Rainbow Thai? My family’s fave!
Trader Joe’s has no authority over the parking lot. They just pay rent. So I spoke to the landlord more than once a couple of years ago and suggested that the tragedy waiting to happen could be avoided: a mother with children and too many grocery bags, elderly people trying to navigate the 4-way traffic, and the incoming and outgoing traffic, as well as drivers making a u-turn at the entrance because they are too lazy to abide by the rules.
I suggested redesigning the parking to make each spot angular so you are able to see who is behind you. I proposed one way in from the Post Rd. and another exit one-way out—an accident waiting to happen as everyone has seen or been involved in. His response was that he would be in “default” for not having enough parking spaces and the town and state would have to be involved. OK. No news there. Or wait for someone to get really hurt of worse? Well, it hasn’t happened yet, has it, he said? The landlord didn’t really care. Perhaps the new town administration might be interested in getting involved …?
pretty certain I recall seeing this at Rainbow Thai – need to get over there soon! yummy food –
I believe it’s the bar at Rainbow Thai.
Rainbow Thai
From Florida to California to Connecticut Trader Joe’s, their parking lots are notoriously bad for parking as they lease large buildings with parking lots too small to handle the traffic . since they are so popular no matter which state , Best times to shop there if can is Monday through Wednesday in the morning.
Rainbow Thai
Rainbow Thai 🇹🇭
Rainbow Thai
Pink sumo
Rainbow Thai
Yep – Rainbow Thai!
Send TraderJoe’s corporate office a registered letter, with photos ,and send copies to the town of Westport. The letter will alert everyone of the danger and serve as a warning!
I find the Fairfield TJ’s on Black Rock Turnpike to be a safer parking lot as it is larger and more spread out. I also agree
that parking in either store’s lot depends on the hour of the
day.
I remember when Trader Joe’s was a First National. I don’t remember parking being a problem. And please, bring back the French onion soup!
My friends at Rainbow Thai!
It’s true. When we lived in Miami, TJ’s parking lot was atrocious.
Rainbow Thai!
Darien’s Trader Joe’s parking lot is no better.
I, along with a lot of people, call it Rt 1? Get off 95 N/S, head Rt 1 E or W.
Rainbow Thai
The danger and crowded inconvenience of the TJ’s lot is greatly mitigated by the slow, cautious driving it mandates. It’s probably safer than a S&S where folks (me included) zip around too fast.
And once in the store, both the customers and the staff are so far friendlier and English conversant than at S&S, say, that it seems to me well worth the caution need to park.
Pro tips for Westport Trader Joes’s:
1. When driving in via the main entrance, do not park in any of the spaces to your left immediately facing TJ’s. At best traffic waiting to exit will block you backing out. At worst, you’ll knock over a shopper. If you’re walking-averse or impaired, use the spots immediately behind those. Or park anywhere else and get some exercise.
2. When leaving if you need to get onto Compo Rd S (toward beach), wait at the main exit for the light, turn left then immediately get into the left-turn lane on Post Rd. Then turn left onto Compo Rd S. Never attempt to turn left at the Compo entrance/exit. In fact, exiting there either way is always a losing bet. Your nerves will thank you at the expense of waiting for two lights.
3. The spots parallel to Post Rd (Cobb’s, Pokeworks, etc) appear tempting, but they’re a trap.
4. If you also have business at Gold’s across the street, do not drive, use the crosswalk at the light.
5. Never TJ on weekends, unless immediately at opening, which may be a bit earlier than you think.
6. There are only three of those smaller red shopping carts. I asked about them, and as was told TJ Corporate will not allow purchasing more for obvious reasons relating to supermarket science.
7. Next election, consider voting for P&Z members who also shop at the places whose parking they regulate.
Rainbow Thai, by the Cribari Bridge.
Is that rainbow Thai near the bridge?
Rainbow Thai @5 bridge square