Trader Joe's To Move Closer To Competitor

Trader Joe's Lake Grove store will be moving to a larger location, directly across the street from its competitor Whole Foods, in coming weeks.

Construction workers exiting the former Toys "R" Us in Smithhaven Mall Plaza said the storefront is being renovated for Trader Joe's to move in. Bright red awnings and a vinyl-sided, two-story entranceway are architectural trademarks that proclaim the company's impending arrival at 2085 Smithhaven Mall Plaza.

Two shoppers at the Lake Grove location, who wished not to be identified, said they had been openly told by store clerks that Trader Joe's will be moving to its new location in upcoming weeks. 

The move will place the chain directly across the street from its competitor Whole Foods, which opened its 48,000-square-foot Lake Grove location this past March, its third Long Island location.