Trader Joe's open to Downey store but only on Firestone Boulevard

DOWNEY – Trader Joe’s is open to the idea of opening a grocery store in Downey but it must be located on Firestone Boulevard, according to a report scheduled to be presented to the City Council next week.

“Trader Joe’s has expressed interest in exploring a new store in Downey if the right site was available on Firestone Boulevard to accommodate their needs,” interim assistant city manager Vaniah De Rojas wrote in the staff report.

According to De Rojas, the city most recently approached Trader Joe’s about taking over the Big Lots property next to Foot Locker after the discount retailer closed last year.

“Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s stated that the Big Lots property does not meet their parking requirements,” the report states.

City officials also proposed the former Hometown Buffet site but that was redeveloped into Diosa after Trader Joe’s declined.

De Rojas said the city is also in communication with Sprouts, which is looking for a commercial site north of Firestone Boulevard.

Complicating the issue is that Sprouts “typically requests tenant improvements to be completed by the property owner or management company so they are move-in ready at the start of their lease,” according to the report.