Oswego's First Trader Joe's Opens With Two-Hour Wait
Residents gathered at the U.S. Route 34 location early Monday to shop in Kendall County's newest grocery store.
By Marco Alvarez ·
The new Trader Joe's store in Oswego opened at 9 a.m. Monday, ending a long wait for shoppers in the community. The 9,234-square-foot location sits at the intersection of U.S. Route 34 and Kendall Point Drive. It stands next to the Delta Sonic car wash and gas station. This is the first Trader Joe's in Kendall County.
Kevin Cole stood in the line before the doors opened. He shops at other Trader Joe's locations in the area regularly. Cole said he is happy to have this option in Oswego. He mentioned that he visits the gas station nearby often. Now he can stop there for groceries. He cited the prices and food freshness as reasons for his support.
The first person in the line arrived at 7:03 a.m. That means some customers waited nearly two hours. Store captain Justin Oster said he was not surprised by the early arrivals. He stated that the community showed up for the store. Oster described Oswego as an amazing community. He noted that Trader Joe's looks for great neighborhoods to join.
Village President Ryan Kauffman has wanted a Trader Joe's in Oswego for years. He said he first heard the request after taking office in 2015. Kauffman called it a passion project for at least the last decade. He expressed thrill over the store's arrival. He said the village welcomes the new business with open arms. Kauffman is also a longtime customer of the chain.
The store participates in the Neighborhood Shares Program. Through this program, the Oswego location will donate 100% of unsold products that remain fit to enjoy. These donations go to non-profit, community-based organizations. The store will make these donations seven days a week.
Trader Joe's is also building a store in Joliet. That location is at 2741 Plainfield Road in the Joliet Commons shopping center. It occupies the space previously used by JoAnn Fabrics. The Joliet City Council recently approved a liquor license for that store. The Joliet location is expected to open by early December.
Other Trader Joe's stores in the region serve communities such as Batavia, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Downers Grove, and Oak Park. The new Oswego store operates from 1930 U.S. Route 34.
