Trader Joe's 'taking the necessary steps' for Rocklin site

The city of Rocklin is in the works of landing a Trader Joe's grocery store, company and city officials confirmed. "We are very interested in bringing a Trader Joe's store to Rocklin so we are taking the necessary steps to make that happen," Trader Joe's Public Relations Director Kenya Friend-Daniel said. The proposed Trader Joe's would be at the Rocklin Commons shopping center, just west of the northbound Sierra College Boulevard exit from Interstate 80, that includes the Studio Movie Grill, Target, Ross and Ulta Beauty. "The city is excited for Trader Joe's to open a location in Rocklin and offer residents a new, high-quality option for grocery shopping," city of Rocklin spokesperson Michael Young said. Rocklin staff issued a demolition permit to the Rocklin Commons and Crossings owner for a portion of the interior of the space previously occupied by Stein Mart, according to Young. The owner has also applied for a permit to alter the building façade, and the city is anticipating an application from Trader Joe's for tenant improvements. Friend-Daniel said Trader Joe's is "still in the very early stages of the process" and there is "not a lot of information to share at this time." The company looks forward to sharing more information about a potential opening timeline as it is received, according to Friend-Daniel. "I knew it was something they were definitely working on, but they keep their cards close to the vest," Rocklin Mayor Jill Gayaldo said. "There is not one city jurisdiction that does not want a Trader Joe's. So having them pick Rocklin is really something to be excited about." Greg Roberson, the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors past chair, is also pleased. "On behalf of the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce, we are excited to see new economic development opportunities in our area during challenging times. We take great pride in making the Rocklin area an amazing place to live, work and play." Trader Joe's currently has at least seven stores throughout the greater Sacramento area, including one in Placer County inside the Roseville Square shopping center off Douglas Boulevard near Interstate 80. Roseville city officials said residents have been asking for a second Trader Joe's in Roseville for more than a decade. While a new location might not yet come to Roseville specifically, the city welcomes the idea of another one in Placer County. "Our economic development staff has been persistent in reaching out to Trader Joe's over the years, trying to locate the next one in west Roseville, where our city sees the most growth," Roseville Deputy City Manager Megan MacPherson Scheid said. "We hope Trader Joe's chooses Roseville, but wherever they decide, we welcome another Trader Joe's to the region. Their loyal customers know that south Placer County is long overdue for a second location of this popular store."