Trader Joe’s Expands to Maine

Trader Joe's has entered Maine's food market with the opening of a new store in Portland, it first store in the state.

According to published reports, consumers were so looking forward to the new store – which occupies a former Wild Oats location -- that many have skipped work and took their kids out of school to attend the grand opening.

While not a natural/organic food store per se, the store’s offerings include a variety of natural and organic foods, and the retailer is also well-known for its inexpensive wines, many of which, according to the Portland Press Herald, which sell for $2.59 a bottle at the Portland location.

The location became available when natural and organic foods retailer Whole Foods Market was directed by the FTC to sell off some Wild Oats stores after it acquired the chain in 2007. Portland's Trader Joe's was a recipient of one of these sales.