Bixby Knolls Trader Joe's to make overnight move to Long Beach Boulevard location

Trader Joe’s Bixby Knolls store will move from its Atlantic Avenue location and open a long-anticipated larger store on Long Beach Boulevard Friday.

The move to 4250 Long Beach Blvd. within the new Knolls Shopping Center was aounced in February 2015 and was met with excitement by customers who had grown tired of the old store’s small parking lot.

“The grand opening of the [center] is another exciting new business development in the Eighth District,” said 8th District Councilman Al Austin, who represents much of Bixby Knolls, in a statement. “Working with the property owner, Red Mountain Retail Group, we were able to bring quality new businesses, including a new, larger Trader Joe’s and Crunch Fitness opening this week, along with the new Pet Food Express, to create a destination for people throughout the region to come shop and dine.”

A community store

The old location at 4121 Atlantic Ave. opened for business in November 2000 to much fanfare. Though it was Long Beach’s second Trader Joe’s, it was the subject of a lengthy community campaign headed in part by city officials at that time — Mayor Beverly O’Neill, 8th District Councilman Rob Webb and his predecessor, Jeff Kellogg.

A Press-Telegram article published Nov. 28, 2000 reported that 150 “enthusiastic shoppers” showed up to witness the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. At the time, local residents and business groups wrote hundreds of letters urging the South Pasadena grocery chain to set up shop in Bixby Knolls.

The new store location offers about 4,000 more square feet of store space and greatly expanded parking lot, said Alison Mochizuki, a spokeswoman for the grocery company. A grand opening celebration will be held at 8 a.m. Friday. The first 400 customers will receive leis.

“It’s fun to be part of a transition like this,” said Mike Brown, the store’s manager Thursday moing. “It’s exciting, a long time coming.”