Trader Joe’s has signed a lease to open a store in Boulder in 2013.
The store will be at 1906 28th St., inside Boulder’s Twenty Ninth Street shopping area where the Applebee’s currently operates.
A 14,000-square-foot building will be constructed on the site. The Daily Camera in Boulder said it was not clear when Applebee’s will close or whether it will relocate.
Officials of the California-based specialty grocery chain have been tight-lipped about plans for stores in Colorado. On Jan. 16, they filed paperwork to register the Trader Joe’s name with the Colorado secretary of state.
Experts predicted that Trader Joe’s first location in Colorado would be in Boulder, suggesting the Twenty Ninth Street area, and that there will be at least two more Trader Joe’s in the greater Denver area.
The stores have an enthusiastic following, with fans saying they can get certain items — such as its “Two Buck Chuck” wine and other inexpensive wines — only at Trader Joe’s.
Colorado’s liquor laws have been an obstacle to Trader Joe’s expansion plans in the state. Under those laws, a grocery chain may be issued only one full-strength liquor license.
It was not clear whether the Boulder store would carry alcoholic beverages stronger than 3.2 beer. The Daily Camera reported that as of Monday, Trader Joe’s had not filed a liquor license application with the city of Boulder.
Trader Joe’s 365 stores in nearly three dozen states usually carry about 4,000 items — most bearing the Trader Joe’s brand. Traditional grocery stores offer about 50,000 items.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
