Trader Joe’s Rep Says No to Another St. Louis County Location for Now

Opening a new Trader Joe’s in St. Louis County is not in the plans, the grocery chain said, but that could change.

Trader Joe’s Senior Vice President of Real Estate Angus Armstrong responded to a .

In his letter, Armstrong wrote: “We are currently considering a number of markets where we would like to pen further Trader Joe’s stores. St. Louis County is not currently in our plan, however, we will consider this region and the municipalities you have mentioned in our next review.”

Meanwhile, South Countian Carol Boss and her fellow Trader Joe's fans have gathered more than 1,100 signatures in an effort to bring the store to the former location of Sappington Farmers Market or to a nearby community like Crestwood.

Armstrong’s letter did not address the the signatures gathered over the last month on a petition aimed at bringing a Trader Joe’s to South County.

Larry Stone, chairman of the group that wrote the original letter, said he would not let the store’s response discourage him.

“We’ve created an awareness,” Stone said. “Maybe it’s just me being an optimist, but I think we should use this open door to continue the efforts. There is a definite passion out there. I can’t see it do anything but exponentially grow.”

, agreed that Armstrong’s letter should not end residents' efforts.

“I still read positive into it,” Boss said. “That was not a ‘no.’ To me, that was much more of a, ‘Oh, cool, we’ll think about it.’”

Here's Armstrong's letter:

Mr. Larry C. Stone

Affton Community Involvement Association 

Re: Trader Joe's - St. Louis County, MO 

Thank you for your letter of September 9, 2012 addressed to Dan Bane. As I handle the real estate for Trader Joe's, Dan has asked me to respond. 

We are currently considering a number of markets where we would like to open furtherTrader Joe's stores. St. Louis County is not currently in our plan, however, we willconsider this region and the municipalities you have mentioned in our next review. 

Thanks for your kind words in respect to our neighborhood involvement and we do striveto earn the opportunity to provide great value and a great shopping experience to ourcustomers. We appreciate you taking the time to bring this opportunity to ourattention. 

Sincerely, Angus Armstrong

SVP-General Counsel & Real Estate

Trader Joe's

To sign the petition, log on here or go to one of these area businesses.