Does Trader Joes "Lie" about their anti-city preferences

Trader Joes on NW Glisan Ave., Portland Oregon
Originally uploaded by rllayman.

Trader Joes says that they don't do cities (although they are finally opening a store in NW DC), they like close-in suburbs like Alexandria and Bethesda that are close enough to suck up DC dollars, but aren't in the city.

This store is on NW Glisan Avenue in the "Alphabet Historic District"-Nob Hill Commercial District in Portland, Oregon.

This is definitely an urban site, next door to traditional retail storefronts, although with a surface parking lot immediately to the west of the store.

I will say that this is an amazing commercial district. Mostly independent retail on the traditional streets (23rd and 21st) complemented by chain retail nearby (on Burnside, and a little bit to the west, around 24th).

A commercial district revitalizer could easily spend 2-3 days going from store to store.