Politics & Government

Could a Trader Joe's be Lured to the North Hills?

Developers at McCandless Crossing are hoping to get a commitment from the specialty grocery store.

Although Cranberry Patch readers have long expressed their desire for a Trader Joe's in this area, one may be coming to nearby community—that is, if the developers get their way.

Plans are underway for the final phase of the McCandless Crossing retail complex, located on the east side of McKnight Road between Duncan Avenue and Cumberland Road in McCandless.

Phase Four includes five restaurants, three of which have already signed, 50 townhomes, and a 12-screen Cinemark Movie Theater for starters.

Find out what's happening in Cranberrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The town of McCandless and developer, AdVenture Development, is also hoping to lure a very popular specialty grocery store.

Yep, a Trader Joe's.

Find out what's happening in Cranberrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We'd love to have Trader Joe's, but that's not a definite, they haven't signed," said Bruce Betty, town of McCandless land use administrator. Perhaps for good luck, the Trader's Joe name is on the current aerial sketch of McCandless Crossing.

Long a specialty food staple in California, Trader Joe’s has expanded to 350 stores in 25 states, gradually extending into the eastern United States and generating a cult following with its mix of unique culinary finds served up by Hawaiian shirt-clad crew members, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported.

Trader Joe’s, for the most part, sells its own private label assortment of specialty foods, including meats and cheese and fresh produce.

Residents in several northern suburbs have expressed a desire for a Trader Joe's.

 on Route 19, readers almost overwhelmingly said they’d like to see Trader Joe’s move into the spot.

Trader Joe's also was a popular suggestion when Cranberry Patch asked readers what they'd like to see at the former Dick's Sporting Goods in the Cranberry Square shopping plaza.

Right now, the closest Trader Joe's are in Pittsburgh's East End at 6343 Penn Avenue and 1630 Washington Road in Upper St. Clair. 

Is Betty concerned that the new owners of the Northway Mall might try to snag Trader Joe's?

"We have an approved concept here and it's a nice concept and a unique concept, it's all pedestrian friendly, we have a nice mix of things. I don't know what their plans are, how they're going to manage the traffic, storm water management, those kinds of things," said Betty. "Here, that's all done, so we've got quite a bit of a jump on it."

What do you think? Are you as excited about the prospects of a Trader Joe's in a neighborhing community? Would you still like to see the grocer in Cranberry? Where? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

For the latest on any stories related to McCandless Crossing, click here.

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

Check out some of today's other top stories here.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here