Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Trader Joe's Founder Dies At 89; Shoppers Remember Joe Coulombe As A 'Visionary'
Joe Coulombe at his Pasadena home circa 1985. (Image by Esme via AP) (Esme Gibson/AP)
()
The founder and namesake of the quirky, yet beloved Trader Joe's has died.
Joe Coulombe opened his first nautically themed market in Pasadena in 1967. We should note that original store is just a few blocks from our newsroom, which has made it a de facto cafeteria for many of us.
The first Trader Joe's is just a few blocks from the KPCC + LAist newsoom (Chris Pizzello / AP)
()
That one store ultimately has grown to a chain of more than 500 stores in over 40 states.
Support for LAist comes from
Coulombe's vision was to attract college-educated, yet underpaid young people who wanted to buy healthy foods at a reasonable price.
He stocked it with granola, organic foods and other items bought directly from suppliers to hold prices down.
Coulombe sold the market in 1979 to German retailer Aldi but kept his CEO title until 1988.
Coulombe died late Friday at his Pasadena home after a long illness. He was 89 years old.
His son, also named Joe, told the Associated Press that his father "wanted to make sure whatever was sold in our store was of good value. He always did lots of taste tests."
He also said he and his sisters tried "all kinds of things" that their dad brought home.
"At his offices he had practically daily tastings of new products," he said. "Always the aim was to provide good food and good value to people."
Support for LAist comes from
In a news release, Trader Joe's called their founder "an extraordinarily smart and accomplished entrepreneur who built a company that introduced something welcomingly different in the grocery retail space."
"Joe was the perfect person at the right time for Trader Joe's. He was a brilliant thinker with a mesmerizing personality that simply galvanized all with whom he worked," said CEO Dan Bane. "He was not only our founder, he was our first spokesperson. He starred in captivating radio ads for years, always signing off with his unique, 'thanks for listening.'"
At the store's original tropical-themed located on Arroyo Parkway, where as the sign says "it all began", shopper Jason Wells said he comes for the store's signature products. The same kind of imported, low-cost items Coulombe wanted to bring to his store's shelves.
"I think he was a visionary, ahead of his time for sure," Wells said. "And I think the fact that he had just a very hands-on approach to managing the company gave it a personal touch."
Coulombe is survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren.
WATCH JOE COULOMBE TALK ABOUT TRADER JOE'S
Support for LAist comes from
Julia Paskin and Rebecca Nieto contributed to this report.
UPDATES:
1:50 p.m. This article was updated with a quote from a shopper and details about Coulombe's survivors.
This article was originally published at 8:23 a.m.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist