It seems like every time two shovels of dirt get moved in Seminole County rumors start flying that Trader Joe’s is coming to town. For one project in Lake Mary, that rumor may (BIG emphasis on the word “may”) come to fruition.
According to a report in the Orlando business Journal, the Monrovia, Calif.-based specialty grocer is in discussions with the developer of Griffin Farm Town Center to be an anchor in the project to be built at the corner of Lake Mary Boulevard and Longwood Lake Mary Road.
As you Bokey Insiders remember, I first reported that specialty grocery Earth Fare was originally slated to locate in the new town center (“Organic grocer plants roots in Lake Mary”). It appears that’s no longer the case.
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Frankly, I’m still skeptical that Trader Joe’s will ultimately end up in Lake Mary. The 38,000-square-foot building that is supposed to a house the grocer is 3 to 4 times larger then the space Trader Joe’s usually occupies (which is 10,000 to 12,000 square feet).
However, it is certainly not written in stone that TJ’s has to take the entire space. Another retailer could locate in the same building. Also, the OBJ reporter Anjali Fluker has much better sources with the developer, Unicorp National Developments Inc., than I do, so she has a little more insight.
So y’all who belong to the Church of Trader Joe’s may have your prayers answered.
The Griffin Farms at Midtown is a $200 million project that includes retail, a five-level parking garage, 268 apartments,and a 128-home gated community by David Weekley Homes. Other retailers expected to locate in the center include: 24-Hr Fitness, Dunkin’ Donuts, Square 1 Burgers & Bar and Zaza Cuban Café.
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Sanford, Fla. 