Trader Joe’s Is Coming to New Orleans — Twice

Here’s What You Need to Know About the Grocery Giant’s Louisiana Expansion

Apr 25, 2025

By The Bayou Insider Staff

Good news for fans of cookie butter, affordable wine, and frozen orange chicken: Trader Joe’s is expanding in Louisiana, and for the first time ever, it’s coming directly to New Orleans.

While Louisiana has welcomed Trader Joe’s locations in Baton Rouge and Metairie in years past, residents inside Orleans Parish have long called for the beloved grocer to set up shop closer to home. Now, those calls are being answered—with two new locations under development in the Crescent City.

📍 Mid-City: 2501 Tulane Avenue

The first of the two new stores is already under construction at 2501 Tulane Avenue, directly across from the New Orleans VA Medical Center. The site will house a 13,000-square-foot Trader Joe’s, complete with over 100 parking spaces and pedestrian-friendly access points on Tulane Avenue, Banks Street, and South Dorgenois Street.

In addition to the grocery store, the development will include a 3,000-square-foot dental clinic, bringing even more services to the area.

Expected Opening: Summer 2025

This marks the first-ever Trader Joe’s located within the New Orleans city limits—an exciting milestone for fans who’ve been making long treks to Metairie or Baton Rouge.

“This location is going to be a game-changer,” said one Mid-City resident on social media. “I’ve been waiting for this for years.”

🌳 Uptown: 2428 Napoleon Avenue

The second location is slated for 2428 Napoleon Avenue in Uptown New Orleans, the former site of Our Lady of Lourdes School. After months of regulatory review, the city approved the demolition of the school building, and construction is expected to begin later this year.

Expected Opening: Late 2025

This location is expected to be highly walkable, serving surrounding neighborhoods hungry for more accessible, affordable grocery options. Trader Joe’s model of small-format stores stocked with curated, private-label items fits well with the community's desire for healthy, budget-conscious shopping without the mega-mart vibe.

🛒 What Makes Trader Joe’s So Popular?

Ask any Trader Joe’s fan, and they’ll tell you: this isn’t just a grocery store—it’s a cult following.

Trader Joe’s stores are stocked almost entirely with private-label products, meaning no big-name brands and no middlemen. The result? Unique items you can’t find anywhere else, and price points that beat most traditional grocers. Think $2.99 wine, $4 frozen meals, and organic produce that won’t make your wallet cry.

Some local favorites include:

Mandarin Orange Chicken (a freezer staple)
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
Cauliflower Gnocchi
$3 bouquet flowers
And of course, the infamous Cookie Butter

With new store locations, shoppers in New Orleans will no longer have to drive to Jefferson Parish or Baton Rouge to stock up on their favorites.

🍇 Where Are Louisiana’s Current Trader Joe’s?

Until now, there have only been two Trader Joe’s locations in Louisiana:

Metairie – Opened in 2016 at Veterans Memorial Blvd & N. Labarre Road
Baton Rouge – Located at 3535 Perkins Road

Both have become staples in their communities, drawing shoppers from all over South Louisiana. But with New Orleans soon joining the club, expect a major shift in grocery traffic across the metro area.

📈 More to Come?

Could this be the start of something bigger?

With strong demand in New Orleans and successful stores in Metairie and Baton Rouge, it’s not out of the question to imagine future locations in Lafayette, Lake Charles, or even Shreveport. Trader Joe’s typically takes a slow, methodical approach to expansion—but where the crowds go, the company follows.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a longtime Trader Joe’s enthusiast or just curious to see what all the fuss is about, New Orleans is about to get a taste of something fresh.

The Mid-City and Uptown locations are poised to change the local grocery landscape—offering a blend of affordability, specialty items, and charm that’s hard to beat.

In a state known for its cuisine, Trader Joe’s might just be the perfect new addition to the table.