In a renewed effort to convince the specialty grocery store to open a location in Bowie, Mayor G. Frederick Robinson has extended a personal invitation to Trader Joe's CEO Dan Bane, asking him to visit the city and the location for himself. 

Last year, two Bowie residents started a Facebook Page, We Want Trader Joe's in Bowie, that has garnered 239 "Likes." The mayor's letter marks a renewed effort to convince the store that Bowie is the right place for its next location. 

The letter, dated Jan. 7, argues that Bowie has the right demographic, geographic location and available store space for the grocer. 

Whatever demographic describes your customer Bowie has something to offer Within five miles of our prime sites reside over 94,000 people with an average household income of over $106,000.

There are immediate location opportunities Bowie Gateway and Pointer Ridge Shopping Center are two of them These wonderful retail centers have excellent spaces waiting for you and your business and the surrounding community is eager to have your business nearby for shopping.

We would also suggest you consider the value of Bowie's location along the major east-west corridor in the region US Highway 50 that opens easy access to and between Washington DC and Annapolis and the heavily traveled alternate north-south corridor of US Highway 301 and Maryland Route 3 running between Baltimore MD and points south. Our location combined with the warm environment of a growing and exciting city serves us well and will provide the same benefit to you.

The city has also placed a link directly to the Trader Joe's website that asks for new store location suggestions, and at the Jan. 7 council meeting, Robinson encouraged residents to ask for a location in Bowie. 

"We would encourage you to notify Trader Joe's that as a patron of their store, as a visitor to their store and as a resident of this community, that you would encourage them to consider Bowie as the location of their next expansion," Robinson said.

The mayor's letter will be followed up by additional outreach efforts by the city's Economic Development Department.

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Start a blog | Upload an event | Post an announcement