Here’s your first, in-depth look inside the Myrtle Beach area’s 1st Trader Joe’s

Crew members donning signature tropical shirts stocked dry goods and frozen foods under whimsical murals inspired by the Grand Strand in preparation for the Myrtle Beach area’s first Trader Joe’s store.

Some Grand Strand shoppers have gone as far as Wilmington to get their Trader Joe’s fix, but after years of interest and months of anticipation, the new 115 Sayebrook Parkway location will finally open at 9 a.m. on Sept. 30.

“If you love Trader Joe’s, you love Trader Joe’s,” said manager — or store captain, in Trader Joe’s parlance — MaryJoy Marino.

Kicking off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the grand opening will feature a free tote bag giveaway, food samples and “maybe even [staff] walking around with some roving treats,” according to Marino.

Part of what Trader Joe’s sells is a more fun errand-running experience. The new location will celebrate the area with nods to the Grand Strand’s many mini golf courses, Murrells Inlet’s marsh, local streets and more adorning the walls.

“I think there’s, like, a vibe to Trader Joe’s,” Marino said. “Obviously, we wear the fun shirts, but it goes beyond that. I think we usually have pretty good music on, and I think we really hire a great crew that want to be here, and we encourage building relationships with our customers that come in, so I think if you’ve never been here, it’s kind of intimate in a way.”

And the fun isn’t just for adults running through their shopping lists. The Myrtle Beach-area Trader Joe’s plans to hide a stuffed animal around the store. When kids spot it, they can tell a crew member to get a free treat.

For shoppers visiting the chain for the first time at the new Grand Strand location, Marino recommends building in a little extra time to check out the store’s signature product lineup and artwork. Leisurely shopping customers can stop to smell the roses — literally — with fresh flowers just inside the entrance.

Trader Joe’s is known for some of its more unique products and certain items have garnered cult followings in their own right.

Some of Trader Joe’s most famous snacks, like the cookie butter spread and Scandinavian swimmers, are featured on a special “customer favorites” rack.

In the freezer aisle, the mandarin orange chicken has enjoyed years of popularity, the kimbap has scores of fans and Marino is partial to the tarte d’ Alsace, a flatbread style pizza with ham and gruyere cheese.

This season shoppers can also find exclusive autumn products, including haunted house chocolate cookie kits and witches brew spiced wine for Halloween, and all things pumpkin and maple for the fall.

To staff the new store, 50 local residents were hired on as crew members. Other staff, like Marino, were brought in from other Trader Joe’s locations. According to Marino, the store has paused hiring for the time being.

For foods and other goods that don’t sell, the store plans to donate the products to nonprofit, community-based organizations.

Those interested in exploring the new Trader Joe’s can visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM.