Could a Trader Joe’s Be Coming to Uptown New Orleans?

One year after the big news that Trader Joe’s was hoping to open its first store in New Orleans in Mid-City, it appears that the cult grocery chain is pursuing an additional location in the city, this one in Uptown New Orleans at the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Freret Street.

During a City Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 28, a conditional use permit for a grocery store over 10,000 square feet that sells packaged alcoholic beverages in a Historic Urban Neighborhood was approved unanimously by the council — on the condition that the Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) also approves the demolition of the building on the lot in question at a meeting planned for Wednesday, June 5.

Land use consultant Michael Sherman and developer Zach Kupperman, who’s been involved with projects like the Drifter Hotel, Hotel Saint Vincent, and the forthcoming Hotel Freedia with Big Freedia, spoke at the meeting. When asked by a council member, they said they were not at liberty to disclose the grocery store. But all signs point to Trader Joe’s: The store, which is a proposed 13,000 square feet, was described as a “small-format specialty grocer,” and an “affordable grocer with a unique collection of curated goods” that makes it very popular with consumers. The average Trader Joe’s is 10,000 to 15,000 square feet and sells 3,000 to 4,000 products, significantly fewer items than most grocery stores.

A member of the Planning Commission asked Sherman if he could make a comparison to another local grocer, for example, a Fresh Market. Sherman answered that New Orleans doesn’t have this specialty grocer yet, but that developers hope it will be one of several to open in the city. The closest Trader Joe’s, which opened in 2016, is in neighboring Jefferson Parish — the size of the proposed store is identical to that Metairie store. Additionally, the size is also identical to the store reportedly planned for 2537 Tulane Avenue in Mid-City, which, according to recently-filed building permits, could be completed later this year (though Trader Joe’s also hasn’t confirmed that site).

Both Sherman and Kupperman declined to comment for this article, and a public relations manager for the notoriously tight-lipped grocer told Eater that it does not have a location confirmed in New Orleans at this time.

Discussion about the conditional use permit centered on two points: whether or not the Our Lady of Lourdes school building is historic and parking. While the vacant Our Lady of Lourdes Church is historic, Sherman and Kupperman said, the school next to it is not — that would be the building demolished for the grocery store. Preservationist Susan Johnson, who opposed the permit, cited a loss of mid-century modern architecture (like the school) throughout the city, opposition from neighbors, other grocers within 1.5 miles of the proposed store, and a design that is “too suburban” for the neighborhood.

In regards to parking, the council added a requirement that the number of parking spaces not go below 75. They also clarified that the permit approval is “explicitly conditional” upon the receipt of a demolition permit from HDLC, and should it not be approved, the conditional use permit is voided.

The CPC’s approval of the permit is the very beginning of the development process, one that could take years to finalize. Still, despite the lack of official confirmation, the description seems to fit Trader Joe’s to a tee. Its pending arrival is sure to drum up a lot of feelings — from both the grocery store’s fanatical customer base as well as its skeptics.