Final preparations underway for Trader Joe’s reopening Friday

The Cleveland Avenue store, severely burned in October 2017 wildfires and closed since then, will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday.|
ROBERT DIGITALE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Clerks stocked shelves and painted signs Wednesday in preparation for Friday’s highly anticipated reopening of Trader Joe’s on Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa.

The grocery store, severely burned in the October 2017 wildfires and closed since then, will reopen for eager shoppers at 8 a.m. Friday after a short “lei-cutting” ceremony. The store plans to offer food tastings and giveaways during the day to celebrate its return.

The store’s closure for more than a year caused patrons to drive south for groceries to the city’s other Trader Joe’s along Santa Rosa Avenue in the Santa Rosa Marketplace.

On Wednesday, employee Fabi Rodrigues, above, stocked boxes of hot chocolate. Employees Krystal Tarca, below left, and Amanda Dowdall prepared new signs.

This summer the grocery chain began work to repair and remodel the Cleveland Avenue store, a project valued at more than $1.3 million.

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