Grocery store chain Trader Joe’s appears to be planning a location in Chesterfield, which would join the brand’s existing outposts in Short Pump, shown here, and in South Richmond. (Jack Jacobs photo)
Trader Joe’s looks to have zeroed in on a location for its first store in Chesterfield.
The national grocery chain appears to be planning a store at Springline at District 60, based on filings submitted to the county and according to sources with knowledge of the project.
A building permit was filed last month for a 12,500-square-foot retail building in the southwest corner of the $1 billion, 42-acre Springline development that’s taking shape at the Midlothian Turnpike and Chippenham Parkway interchange.
The retail building’s footprint aligns with the typical square footage of Trader Joe’s stores, and the project’s architectural elevations show a building with design features similar to the company’s stores.
The building’s site plan filed earlier this year lists New York-based Taylor Associates Architects as the building’s designer. The firm’s portfolio includes multiple Trader Joe’s locations, according to its website.
And though filings don’t specifically identify a user and there hasn’t been a formal announcement revealing the grocery store planned at Springline, sources familiar with the plan told BizSense that Trader Joe’s is anticipated to open at the center.
Elevations of the grocery store planned at Springline at District 60. (Courtesy county documents)
A Trader Joe’s spokesperson declined to comment on whether the company planned to plant its flag at Springline, but said the brand is searching for locations to expand nationally.
“We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country as we hope to open more new neighborhood stores each year. We list all of the stores that are opening soon on our website. At this time, I do not have any details to share about new Trader Joe’s in the area,” the spokesperson said.
A rendering of the grocery store included in a leasing flyer for Springline at District 60. (Courtesy Segall Group)
The project site is identified as the future home of a grocery store in a leasing flyer for the overall development. The flyer states that the store is anticipated to open in summer 2027. Segall Group is handling leasing at Springline.
The future grocery store site at 100 Springline Drive is currently owned by the Chesterfield Economic Development Authority, which has been selling off portions of the former Spring Rock Green shopping centers to developers to build out the site.
A site plan of the grocery store planned at Springline at District 60. (County documents)
The under-construction Springline is expected to have more than 1,200 dwellings, two hotels and 300,000 square feet of office space. Thus far, a mixed-use building with apartments called The James and developed by Collins Enterprises as well as an office building that’s home to local engineering firm Timmons Group have been built on the site, in addition to a parking deck. Locally based Shamin Hotels is underway on construction of a Hilton at the development.
Mexican restaurant Rancho Cucamonga and ice cream shop Cold Stone Creamery are anticipated to open on the ground level of The James. Signage for both of those businesses is now visible on their respective storefronts.
A Springline store would be at least the second new Trader Joe’s location in the works in the Richmond region. The grocer recently confirmed its plans to open a store at the upcoming Midtown 64 development in western Henrico. The company currently operates two stores in the Richmond region: one in Short Pump and one in South Richmond at the Stony Point Village shopping center, which recently changed hands.
In other Chesterfield grocery news, the county’s first Whole Foods is set to open next week at the Midlothian Depot project. Publix announced plans in September to open a store near Brandermill.
BizSense reporter Mike Platania contributed to this report.
The post Signs point to Trader Joe’s opening first Chesterfield store appeared first on Richmond BizSense.
