Trader Joe's is known for their huge selection of frozen food you can't find anywhere else, delicious snacks, and their willingness to hand out a sh*t-ton of free samples, even if you've already had 12 mini cups of coffee and are shaking from so much caffeine. But what do you actually know about this mysterious, seafaring, culinary, world explorer?
We're here to shed a little light on that Tiki-themed hero that is Trader Joe.
1. They weren't even called "Trader Joe's" at first
Joe Coulombe, a graduate of the Stanford Business School, founded the chain in 1958, when he decided to buy out a chain of Pronto Markets that he had helped to open. It took him until 1967 to rename them "Trader Joe's", and the first one was opened in Pasadena, CA.
2. It's owned by a German supermarket conglomerate -- that also operates in the U.S.!
Aldi, which is short for Albrecht Discount, after its founders, Karl and Theo Albrecht, split in 1960 after a brotherly dispute. Aldi Nord, Theo's half, purchased Trader Joe's in 1979, but decided to keep on the old management, name, and mission statement. Karl's half also crossed the Atlantic, though, with Aldi stores in 32 U.S. states.
3. They were inspired by the same culture that created the Tiki bar
The first Trader Joe's Hawaiian shirt was donned in 1969, as a tribute to the burgeoning Tiki culture of that time period, which also brought about cocktails in coconuts and the credo of "leaving your problems at the door."
4. That mysterious bell you hear? It's their version of a PA system.
The famous bell that employees use to get each other's attention was first used back in 1975, considered the heyday of bell-based communication. One ring means another register needs to be opened, two rings mean there are questions to be answered at the checkout, and three peals calls over a manager.
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