Brookfield Trader Joe's Opening Date Set

The long-anticipated Brookfield Trader Joe's opening is tenatively set for Nov. 2.

Developer Ryan Cos. of Minneapolis, Minn., recently turned the newly constructed building to Trader Joe's to prepare for occupation, said Tony Barranco, Ryan Cos. vice president of development.

The date could get accelerated or pushed back, Barranco cautioned.

But he said last week about 30 workers for Trader Joe's were in the building, installing casings and racks, preparing the interior for opening.

"They're doing a great job," he said.

Signage still isn't in place. But exterior construction is complete, along with landscaping, dark green canopies and sconce lighting.

The Brookfield location, at 128th and Bluemound Road, is Trader Joe's third Wisconsin store. In 2006 Trader Joe's opened locations in the Bayshore Town Center in Glendale and in Madison.

The California-based grocery chain — which has a cult-like fan base and employees dressed in hawaiian shirts — is known for its private label specialty products and wines, including Charles Shaw bottles dubbed "Two Buck Chucks" (now about $3). Trader Joe's is owned by the same German family that owns the Aldi discount grocery chain.

The Brookfield Trader Joe's is part of the Underwood Crossing complex that Ryan Cos. is developing on the approximately 20-acre site that formerly housed the Quebecor World printing plant.

A at Underwood Crossing this summer and a PNC Bank is under construction. The shopping center is near Brookfield borders with Wauwatosa and Elm Grove and just received approval for another multi-tenant building to house a possible "fast-casual" shop.

Also, Ryan Cos. has obtained an option to purchase the adjacent Bluemound Bowl for redevelopent, the BrookfieldNOW.com reported.