What are the Chances That Bossier Can Actually Get a Trader Joe’s?

Congratulations Shreveport-Bossier, we did it, we have been able to enjoy Torchy's Taco for a year now. We don't have to drive to Tyler, Texas to get our trailer trash taco fix. There is power in telling a company to move to your town.

The perfect example is LuLu Lemon, whose "pop-up" shop became a permanent storefront. If we get something we like in Shreveport-Bossier we support it. Don't you think there are other businesses that could come into town and make us all even happier than we are?

I am a huge fan of Whole Foods, I always purchase 365 products, however, if you are not careful that price at the checkout line gets insane. There is one place I love to shop and it never breaks the bank.

I love Trader Joe's. The coffee selection, the hummus, the cookie butter, so many delicious items, and most of the time I am shocked at the checkout line. I am convinced it's going to be super expensive and then my bank account gives me the green light when the total comes up. T

Trader Joe's is always a win. I am sick of having to drive to Little Rock or Dallas just to be able to shop at Trader Joe's

There's a Facebook group in Shreveport dedicated to bringing Trader Joe's to the SBC. Did you know all we have to do is request a Trader Joe's? Many community groups are trying to ban together to make it happen. Including several members from the South Highlands neighborhood. You can fill out a request to bring Trader Joe's by clicking here.

The question remains, is it that easy? Can we just ask and it happens?

Unfortunately no. I did a little more research on bringing Trader Joe's to Shreveport-Bossier. The Morning Call spoke to Trader Joe's and what they look for in a community and it was disheartening to hear. The article described Trader Joe’s as "a chain that hits its numbers and doesn’t sacrifice its famed culture as it expands.".

Trader Joe's doesn't skip over numbers. They are very selective and the poverty rate in Shreveport-Bossier might be what's holding the company back from coming here. They look at median household incomes, education, population, and the labor force. Considering the fact that so many places here in Shreveport-Bossier are begging for people to come to work it's not looking like it's in our favor.

According to DataUsa.io Shreveport's poverty rate was 25.7% in 2019. Although the average median household income grew by 2.12% the poverty rate grew by 1.03%. In short our numbers may not look too desirable to a company like Trader Joe's. Does that mean we will quit trying? Absolutely not.