Lake Norman Real Estate and NC Homes for Sale

It was like walking into my best friend’s house after not seeing her for a several years.  A few things had changed  but when I walked through the doors I felt this warm and fuzzy feeling.  I had just rekindled an old friendship and rediscovered a part of my past.  

The familar greeting by one of the crew members, the wall of fresh flowers at the entrance and the Hawaiian theme felt like putting on old slippers.  I was home. 

When I first heard about Trader Joes coming to the greater Charlotte area I felt that now life in Lake Norman was truly as perfect as any place in the US could be.  Yes, I might also like a Whole Foods and a Peets Coffee but I can live without them. 

Trader WHO?   

So what is it about Trader Joe’s that creates such a cult-like following?  I’m amazed at how many of my Lake Norman & Mooreville friends and clients are equally excited about Trader Joe’s.  Everyone will have a different answer to this and they will all be true.  Going to Trader Joe’s reminds me a bit of shopping in Berkeley when I was in college.  You get a sense of being surrounded by healthy, fresh, highly nutritional and even organic foods.    But, it also makes you feel a bit like you are a gourmet because they have exotic products that you can’t get in regular super markets.  Finally, it makes you want to be a better person.  You simply know that you must use canvas shopping bags.  In fact, they even have an awards program for people who bring their own re-useable bags for their groceries! 

Trader Joe’s products:  

When my husband and I entered the store, we almost immediately went different directions. I went straight to the wall of great salads and prepared meals, the containers of fresh mozzarella cheese, humus dip, the scones and cookies and their frozen Indian and Asian foods.  (The pot stickers are great!)  My husband headed for the whole-grained baked goods like bran muffins and then directly to the frozen food section where he loaded up with really good frozen Mexican food (especially their green tamales!) 

As they say on their website, Trader Joe’s buyers: “travel the world - from exotic locales to local farms and dairies - looking for interesting, great tasting foods and beverages at terrific everyday values."  I highly recommend that you visit the our new Trader Joe’s…it’s really not that far from Lake Norman and well worth the drive! 

How to get to Trader Joe’s from Lake Norman

Map to North Charolotte Trader Joe’s  We live down Brawley School Rd in Mooresville and the drive was about 28 miles.  We took the I-77 south to Exit 18.  Turn left on to WT Harris Blvd, turn left on to Mallard Creek Rd and finally right on Mallard Creek Church Rd.  The Trader Joe’s is on your left in a new shopping center at the corner of Arbor Drive.  The address is 1820 Arbor Drive.  704.688.9578.  They are open daily from 9am - 9pm.  We went on a Saturday morning. There was no traffic on the road and while the store was busy, there was no wait when checking out.  I have a feeling this may become a weekly ritual.  I hope to see you all there!

Don’t forget to check out The Reading Room , a section of their website that provides a great guide to coffee, olive oil, pairing food with wine and nutritional information.

 INTERESTING LINKS

Fresh Sushi, Hush Puppies; The Scoop About Relocating to Lake Norman

Lake Norman Restaurant Review:  Maddi’s Bistro

27 Reasons to Visit Historic Downtown Mooresville

Lake Norman Relocation Resource Guide

Trader Joe’s 

The Reading Room at Trader Joe’s 

Map to North Charlotte Trader Joe’s