Community leaders looking to bring Trader Joe’s to Salinas

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Monterey County and the City of Salinas are launching a campaign to bring another Trader Joe's to the Central Coast. 

Trader Joes currently has shops in Monterey and Pacific Grove.

Monterey County Supervisor, Luis Alejo, said Salinas would be a great option for the grocery store chain. He argued that surrounding communities would benefit from the addition, as well. 

“We have a lot of people that commute from other cities to work in Salinas. They go back home to Watsonville, Aptos, or Gilroy. If there was a store here, people will be able to shop before they go home. There’s an even larger customer base, of not just residents, but people who call Salinas their place of work,” said Alejo. 

Alejo said City of Salinas Mayor, Joe Gunter, has voiced his support for the campaign.

Alejo is considering two possible sites for the future store. This includes the former K-Mart on North Davis Road and the former Orchard Supply Hardware across the street. 

Monterey County and the City of Salinas plan to pitch the idea to Trader Joe’s headquarters in Los Angeles.