Facebook Page Aims to Bring Trader Joe’s to Bowie

The recent closing of the Safeway on Superior Lane in Bowie left yet another vacant grocery front in Bowie, a grocery front that two local residents think could be perfect for a Trader Joe’s.

Suspecting that they were not the only ones in Bowie who would like to see the grocery franchise in the city, Alex and his wife Lourdes (who have asked to have their last name withheld) decided to start a Facebook Page—We Want Trader Joe's in Bowie, MD—to drum up support.

Bowie’s nearest Trader Joe’s is in Annapolis. There are also locations in Silver Spring, Columbia and Rockville, but there are no stores in Prince George's County.

“We know what it’s like to drive all the way to Annapolis to get to Trader Joe’s,” said Alex, noting that in traffic it can take 30 to 40 minutes to get to the location. “It takes planning. If you want to get cold items, you have to bring a cooler.”

Alex, who grew up in Bowie and moved back here after getting married, has noticed many business closing and moving to the new Waugh Chapel Towne Centre in Crofton and would love to see a grocery like Trader Joe’s open in the city

“You don’t feel like it’s a chain,” he said.

Alex and Lourdes are hoping to create a buzz with their Facebook Page, which has garnered more than 140 likes in just over three weeks.

One of the page’s Facebook fans posted a letter she sent to Trader Joe’s CEO Dan Bane back in 2005 citing the city’s demographics as an argument for a store. Although her plea went unheard, Alex and Lourdes are considering sending an updated letter once they’ve created more momentum for the store.

“I want to get them to at least raise their eyebrows and think about it,” said Alex.

In the meantime, the couple will continue trying to grow their Facebook Page and get more Bowie residents on board and motivated for a Trader Joe’s here in Bowie.

Would you like to see a Trader Joe’s in Bowie? Where do you think would be the ideal location?