Trader Joe’s has announced plans to open a new store in Anaheim Hills, Southern California. The site, previously occupied by Big Lots, is now listed as 'coming soon' on the grocery chain’s official website. This update follows months of local speculation about Trader Joe’s entering the area.
The former Big Lots space sits in a retail corridor off South Festival Drive. As of this week, signage for Big Lots has been removed, and interior renovations are visible from the parking lot. Trader Joe’s representatives have not provided an exact opening date, but construction crews have begun work inside.
On Tuesday morning in Anaheim Hills, shoppers parked outside the closed Big Lots expressed mixed feelings. Some welcomed the new grocery option, while others noted the loss of a discount retailer. Local business owners nearby said foot traffic has dipped since Big Lots shuttered earlier this month, but expect it to pick up once Trader Joe’s opens.
The new store adds to Trader Joe’s presence in Orange County, where it already operates several locations. This expansion reflects a broader trend of specialty grocers moving into spaces left vacant by national chains. For now, residents are watching for hiring signs and the first shipments of the brand’s private-label groceries.