Savannah locals dream of a Trader Joe’s, but despite petitions, pranks, and requests, the grocery chain remains elusive. Will the city ever get one?
Is Savannah ever going to get a Trader Joe's? It’s the question on the minds of locals who’ve been craving everything from the mandarin orange chicken to the chocolate croissants—and it’s a debate that’s sparked pranks, petitions, and even Facebook campaigns. The question of "when or if" lingers, as neighboring cities enjoy their own locations while Savannah waits.
Savannahians have made their voices loud and clear. A Facebook group called "Bring Trader Joe’s to Savannah!" has over 2,400 members, and a similarly named Facebook page has 4,300 followers. The enthusiasm is undeniable, but the company itself remains unmoved. In a 2024 episode of the "Inside Trader Joe’s" podcast, company representatives revealed that social media campaigns and public pleas rarely influence their decisions. Instead, they focus on factors like population density, accessibility, and market fit.
Trader Joe’s seems to be everywhere except Savannah. Just two hours north in Charleston, SC, you’ll find two Trader Joe’s locations, one of which just opened in October. Head two hours south to Jacksonville, FL, and there’s another. Meanwhile, Georgia is home to nine locations in cities like Alpharetta, Athens, Marietta, and Sandy Springs.
Hope briefly surged in 2018 when a "Trader Joe’s Coming Soon!" sign appeared on the windows of a former Save A Lot grocery store on Bull Street in the Starland District. The sign turned out to be fake—a prank or act of "vandalism" by someone hoping to spark conversations about revitalizing the empty building.
While Savannah’s charm and growing population seem to make it an ideal fit, logistics might tell a different story. Factors like traffic flow, accessibility for delivery trucks, and location-specific market dynamics all play a role in Trader Joe’s decisions.
"While we love the energy and enthusiasm often expressed in any of those various social media campaigns … they really don’t have much, if any, impact on what we end up deciding," Sloan shared on the company’s podcast.
"Our decisions, they’re business decisions," Miller added.
Some speculate that if Savannah ever gets a location, it would likely end up in Pooler, where major retail and commercial developments tend to flock.
The demand for Trader Joe’s isn’t just about its quirky, nautical branding. Fans rave about its curated product selection, affordability, and convenience. A local dietitian described it as a go-to for healthy, pre-made meals and unique options not found in traditional supermarkets. Trader Joe’s offers a middle ground between discount grocers and high-end markets, filling a niche that many feel is lacking in Savannah.
Despite what Trader Joe’s representatives say, hope isn’t entirely lost. Locals can still submit requests for a Savannah location via their Request a Store form. While it may not guarantee anything, it’s a small way to keep Savannah’s name on their radar.
For now, Savannah waits. Until then, road trips to Charleston or Jacksonville will have to suffice for stocking up on the Mandarin Orange Chicken and the Everything But the Bagel seasoning.
