But Will a Petition Drive Convince Trader Joe's to Open in Lake Highlands? We Shall See.

By Robert Wilonsky Wed., Jul. 20 2011 at 12:15 PM

From the sales pitch that follows after the jump

A few weeks ago I was talking to Office of Economic Development head honcho Karl Zavitkovsky about something unrelated when he mentioned the petition drive aimed at convincing Trader Joe's to open a location at the Lake Highlands Town Center, where the city's kicking in millions in extra TIF funding in order to get the long-delayed project back on track. That's the same petition drive mentioned over on City of Ate two weeks back.

Well, a Friend of Unfair Park notes that the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association's petition drive has indeed just wrapped, with 5,513 signatures being sent to TJ's HQ in order to convince 'em to move there, rather than on, say, Preston Road between Northwest Highway and LBJ Freeway, long the first of the rumored sites. Our Friend also forwarded along a video of volunteer efforts to lure TJ's to LH. It follows.

Too bad Trader Joe's is looking for 14,000 to 15,000 square feet -- because the Blockbuster in Preston Royal is being shuttered as we speak. (Henry S. Miller reps say it was officially closed a couple of days ago.) Only, it's just 6,000 square feet. More on that later. Man, I can remember when it was a movie theater. Saw Jaws there.

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JuniusHeightsrocksurlamea$$

When hip East Dallas couples find themselves in the family way after a drunken night cavorting on Lower Greenville or Henderson or wherever, they usually high tail it to Lake Highlands or Casa Linda to actually raise their future hipster rugrats anyway. Everyone knows the really cool kids live in Oak Cliff, even if they were born in Garland.

Annakshort

Sure is white over there in LH

The Derelict

way to piss people off Jim! From a business standpoint, I do think you are right and I live in Lake Highlands.

Casual Observer

I think we have an over abundance. It seems we have many that enjoy showing their's frequently, especially on political issues.

Titus Groan

I vote for another Eatzi's.

Casual Observer

One notable quote from the LH's elite during the petition drive was, "I don't know what Trader Joe's is, but I want it." I wonder if they would feel the same way about a Preparation H retail outlet opening in the Lake Highlands Town Center?

There is a reason that the LH mascot is derisively known as a "copy cat".

Diane Birdwell

Hey. those of uis in FAR East Dallas, Buckner terrace, would also like to see some econ dev that does not just include a drive thru bank, a taqueria or a laundromat.

JimS

You need to find a way to attract more ass-holes to your area first.

txnomad

Great. The Over-hype machine can redirect it's focus from In and Out Burger to Trader Joes!

scottindallas

A couple of my landscapes made it into the video, that was kinda cool for me.

Eternally Inside 635

Answer to the headline: No. Truth of the matter is T. Joe's is looking at a site which is None of the Above. And Prescott seems to have given up all efforts of doing anything but a glorified strip center.

State Thomas Dweller

They should go in on McKinney Ave at the site that was just cleared right across from Sfuzzi. Uptown has their demo all built in.

And there's the soon-to-be-vacant Borders space in Old Town now, too.

scottindallas

Boy, you guys are marketing geniuses. Right across the street from Central Market and just a few blocks away from Whole Foods.

Bigjondaniel

which is where many of the are located, and do just fine. It's a specialty food store, not a grocery store

JimS

O.K., but DCAD shows a net lease area of 20,2150 square feet. I'm missing something, but what?http://www.dallascad.org/AcctD...

JimS

20,150

No Pimples On My Ass

The old whole foods is 35,000 square feet. Too big for Trader Joes.

JimS

Hey, Mitchell Rasansky's building on Greenville Avenue, the old Whole foods, if it isn't already a Wal-Mart, is over 20,000 square feet. Old East Dallas is a way better market for Trader Joe than Lake highlands, and Lake Highlands is a way better market for a neghborhood Wal-Mart than Old East Dallas. Swap?

scottindallas

Of the two locations Jim, Lake Highland's location is far more accessible to people outside the neighborhood. Our Skillman is bigger and better than yours, Walnut Hill is a bit larger than Belmont. We have Walmart's and a SuperTarget nearby, where Lower Greenville already has a Whole Foods and Sprouts nearby. Are you just trying to be a provocative ass, or should we consider your unconsidered thoughts earnest?

Anonymous

The proximity of a Whole Foods and Newflower in east Dallas make it more attractive to Trader Joe'ss, rather than less. Does Home Depot say, "geez, that's a great location with a large number of our target demographic closeby, but Lowe's already took the spot across the street so I guess we'll have to locate our store at least a couple miles away"

commonsense

Actually, East Dallas is a way better market for a Fiesta, which is already has.

Buckeye

"Lake Highlands is a way better market for a neghborhood Wal-Mart"

And just why is that?

rsfred

Because of of the dreaded 'apartment people'.

IMHO

And LH has a bunch, an over abundance, yea verily, a veritable plethora of apartments because of a boneheaded planning committee and city council that allowed all thatoverbuilding back in the 70s. JS needs to back off his little east dallas bias and recognize that LH needs some redev. Skillman was gutted up and down from Walnut Hill to get the LHTC ... and a major tenant like TJ's will help a lot.