I love our TJ in Novato.Great staff,always fully stocked,just great service & quality meats,veggies,flowers,snacks,etc

Today, I went to Trader Joe's in Novato. I had been purchasing Lagunitas Hop Water in the quantity of 3 cases each and every time I have shopped there, - for the past year. Today I was informed by the manager that this was a "No No", - and that I could no longer do that. Since when does Trader Joe's start GATE -KEEPING a local product ? This is very bad business. I wonder what Lagunitas, a local company, - would say, if they knew that Trader Joe's was actively hurting their business ? For that product, I will now simply drive the 10 miles up the road, and purchase directly from the source. But,- the above is not the worst problem that Trader Joe's has. Today, I saw that they had brought back those kiddy carts with the dangerous eye-level poles with the hard plastic flags on them. About 6 years ago, I was at a Trader Joes, and a little kid ran into me, and almost took my eye out with that thing ! The mother was not supervising her son properly. But still, Trader Joes should not have provided this hazard for a child to use. I complained to the store manager, and also to corporate. I still have the email that I sent to them. It feels so dismissive and disrespectful to have my health and safety concerns disregarded. The manager stressed that the different locations have different policies. Well, as far as I am concerned, they are ALL under ONE corporate controling factor, and they should be, and ACT responsible for the welfare and safety of their paying customers. This is a food store, and not a juvenile entertainment complex. Right ? The third problem that Trader Joe's needs to address, and after perusing other comments here on Yelp, ( I am not alone in thinking this), is that fact that the store is FREEZING COLD. It is just awful to shop in. I wonder why they so blithely waste fossil fuels, while alienating their customers. After being patronized with the gate-keeping, frozen into frost-bite, and seeing those threatening carts with poles in the store, I will take my 250.00 grocery purchases elsewhere. My eyes are more valuable to me, --- than a bunch of cheap cheese ! read more

Other then not having a hot food bar, it got everything else I like and prefer their own brand over other stores own brand. Their soy creamer for coffee is what I generally get if nothing else but it's hard not to when so much is good here. Price items are reasonable. If they have a hot food and salad bar, I wouldn't really need to go to WF afterwards. read more

Friendly helpful staff and all the yummy products you crave. Decent parking with my dry cleaner, Starbucks, and Pharmaca next door. Also great wine selection with decent price points for all quality levels. read more

I love Trader Joe's! The produce is always super fresh. The samples are delicious and give me great ideas for dinner on nights I can't decide what to cook. The price on some items are so good I shop here for them and nowhere else. read more

Very good customer service and staff is very friendly and helpful to find anything you want unlike that Costco and Home Depot both those stores people who work there act like they are our boss and as soon as we ask something where something is they just point their finger and then disappears. It's already hard for girl to find tools but they never help . Ace hardware is always so much better in customer service also . read more

This may be nitpicking but it would be nice to have some scales in the produce section. I know they sell loose produce by the piece, but I want to see how 4 lemons @ 25c each compares with $x.xx/lb. elsewhere. Also, seems like a weights and measures scam to charge $.25/EACH per banana vs. xxx/lb because a big banana is quite a bit heavier than a small one there. Sure, you can pick and choose but...how do 3 bananas for 75c Compare with $.75/lb? read more

Really bad experience that one of this store stuff cut my line off from waiting the restroom.

Thanks Trader Joe's for showing that you care about your customers, and for making shopping as stress free (as possible) during this pandemic. Well done ! read more

Probably the most underrated Trader Joe's in Marin. I love this location over the one in San Rafael. Better parking and less shoppers (get in and out in less than 15 minutes). The only thing I dislike about this part of town is the fact that there's virtually nothing around. Anyways, this review is about Trader Joe's and not the shopping center / plaza lol. TJ is the only place I get my prepackaged vegetarian Thai meals, almonds and canned beans. I know it's silly to mention those three items, but they seemingly always find their way on my grocery list. Wish they carried more vegan/veggie things. Wouldn't hurt to have a self-check out lane and a fruit juice bar lol. read more

As all Trader Joe's stores, this one is great. I can always find flowers and cool veggies and excellent meats here. It's a bit off the beaten track, out there by Dairymen's, but who CARES?! I'm so glad they opened here! We moved here from a very well appointed town and Novato is just so limited for services ... I really like this town, and now even more because Trader Joe's is here. Hurray!!!!! read more

Ohhh how I love the smaller stores and the different variety of groceries (compared to Safeway and others) BUT.... Damn... I hate the produce. Time after time they are already getting soggy sittin' on the shelf. Frozen food section is good. Prices on cheese is excellent and ooooh how I love the different wines :) It's perfect for a quick stop on the way home or for bringing a small side dish to a party. Not to mention, the kids get to find "Jojo" the horse while you shop AND they get a treat when he is spotted. Parking is okay generally but after work hours this little store can become quite crowded. read more

We live close by so it is convenient. The only thing we have an issue with is their produce. It isn't always fresh and you end up having to go to Safeway for something that isn't stocked. read more

"Should we get coffee before the shoot?" I paranoidly asked my fellow Bollywood film extras. We were going to be filming all day, and I can't function well without my morning coffee. "Let's wait until we get to Novato. We don't want to be late." We arrived in Novato a few minutes early, and we were in desperate need of some coffee before heading to the set. We spotted a small shopping center and pulled into a parking spot. Eeew. Starbucks. Luckily, my fabulous fellow extras felt the same way, but time was of the essence. Then, I suddenly had the BEST idea. "Trader Joe's has coffee samples, and their coffee is actually decent!" We were on a mission and charged straight to the sampling area where we not only helped ourselves to coffee with cream and sugar, but also the bagel and cream cheese samples. Aside from the coffee, this TJ's just seems to give shoppers more space. It's not as crowded as some of the East Bay locations, and the aisles seem to be wider. If I lived in Novato, I would definitely shop here! read more

I've never been a big fan of trader joes' 15 years ago, i use to only buy wines there as my friend who worked there always recommended good value and tasting wines. Today, I come to trader joe's to buy cheap sparkling for my daily mimosa fix and leave the fine wines to come from wine clubs. I have shopped here twice this week and realized I like several categories from TJ, usually their own brands, which is awesome: dried, freezed dried fruits organic basil organic milk, $5.99 much lower than clover or horizon. good selection of flowers not a big selection of meats but they were on sale, drums and whole fryer, $1.99/lb chocolate covered nuts also they have apple pay, cool. will be go to for random small specialty food items. read more

Generally speaking, I love TJ's . It's close, reasonably priced, has convenient hours and the employees are helpful and friendly. I swear, it seems like TJ's employees are always having a good day. I have moments when I fantasize about ditching my horrible commute and taking a gig at TJ's. Then maybe I'd be happy every day too! TJ's has stuff I can't find in other stores. Dog snacks, human snacks, big kid and little kid snacks, prepared food for plane trips, seasonal plants (we always get our basil plants there), orchids...The list goes on. So why only three stars? The problem is this: We've been burned a number of times when buying wines on "special". We've learned that often those "special" wines have been improperly stored and/or have passed their peak. So yes, they're "special" but not in the way you're hoping. We've also had occasion to purchase prepped produce items (roasted beets, salads, orange juice etc...) that have passed the point of no return. Mr. Grumpy adds: "There's a lack of uniformity of quality." Thanks, dear. While it's true that they have an easy return policy, you really don't want to be returning things on a quasi-regular basis, do you? No, I didn't think so. It's a pain. What you want is that the stuff you drag back to your cave be edible/quaffable so you don't have to go out again, get something to replace it AND make another stop to return it to the scene of the crime. So my advice is this: be careful. Keep your expectations aligned with the very real possibility that a "special" wine may have to be returned. Or that the wrap or salad you bought to keep your blood sugar up on your plane flight may have hit its drop dead date before the date stamped on the package. You may be arriving at your destination hungry or if you choose to eat it anyway, you may even find yourself in distress. read more

Do yourself a favor and go here instead of the one in El Cerrito. You can park without circling for hours and you don't have to suffer road rage either. Plus the lay-out is just so much roomier than the El Cerrito location. You don't feel like people are constantly in your way. The inventory is pretty much the same. read more

Is this the first Trader Joe's ever to be built in a new shopping center, rather than just taking over the worst, most derelict building in the most horrid shopping center with no parking at all? In any event, even if you have to drive 20 extra minutes to get to this Trader Joe's in Novato, you will still save time because there is PARKING! And you can get in and out of the parking lot with relative ease. And the aisles are wide enough to accommodate two shoppers side by side at THE SAME TIME!! I had to walk outside and look at the sign to be certain it was indeed a Trader Joe's store. It was, and it sill is. And I love it so much. read more

Parking can be a little tough but that's part of life! Standard issue Trader Joes here, maybe slightly smaller than the average store. The alternative to Safeway and other everyday super markets is long overdue for this area! Healthy food makes sense and buying it here doesn't seem to break the budget! I'm not sold on some of their plastic wrapped produce if I had to give any negatives. Bring your own bag to carry out your groceries and they enter you in a raffle to win some prize! Free balloons, and they have some tasty new items always! read more

I'm a huge fan of Trader Joe's in general, but this particular one seems to have some seedy practices. We've repeatedly found fresh meat and fruit either being sold at/after the expiration date, or it had clearly gone bad before the expiration (possibly improper refrigeration). Except for the meat and fruit, the rest seems to be up to usual TJ standards, and the staff is really helpful. Just keep an eye out. read more

Can't stand the parking in San Rafael? It's better here. The coffe grinder sucks for extra fine though. I hit SEPHORA and Petco at Vintage oaks, than this trader Joeas. read more

There is one thing negative I have to say about this TJ's. That would be the customers who have absolutely no courtesy at times in the parking lot. Otherwise the store is great. The samples are always of items that you could see using. I have used the ideas many times for meals. The meal ideas are always reasonably priced as well. The Associates on the sales floor to the ones who ring you up are consistently helpful and friendly. read more

Trader Joe's - All the gorgeous pumpkins! - Grocery Near Me - Novato, California

I have been to Trader Joe's all over the state, and there is one thing that seems to unite all of them: a nightmarish parking lot. The dilemma: I want wine and red pepper tomato soup, but do I want to deal with parking there? Luckily, the Novato TJs has risen above all the others! Plenty of parking in a lot that is easy to navigate, thank goodness. Also, if you are ever needing to pick up a cheese to bring to a party get the one with the pepper rind. Everybody loves it. read more

Who doesn't LOVE Trader J's?!?! Can't beat the $.19 bananas! Recently added KALE to their leafy green section! A basil plant you can actually plant for only $2.99??? Did I mention it's flourishing with green healthy leaves?! After a hard days work...a nice glass of Velvet Moon Zin... A bottle is only $4.99!!! Seriously my fav! My boyfriend makes the best fish tacos with the tilapia filets (frozen section) Yum! Gotta love 'em nuts! A handful a day is a great snack to get you through your day! Just a few great items of low priced finds out of many many more! read more

Love TJ's and their friendly staff! Everything is always stocked when I've been in and I love the products they carry. Their premade salads are great for on the go times. I always grab their cut veggies, eggs, frozen brown rice (the best) and granola! read more

Cheap Avocados Good people Gotta love tjs but please don't disco my favorite products anymore

As I haven't broken in a new restaurant in some time, I thought I'd write a review for an establishment that is at least in some ways responsible for that - my neighborhood Trader Joe's. My then-gf introduced me to the chain when we were dating back in 2004 - I found myself frequenting the San Rafael franchise on an almost weekly basis, and then in March 2006, the best thing ever happened - Novato received its own. Almost better than any Christmas present I have received. While we were still living a few miles away, TJ's became part of our ordinary routine. And then in September 2010, we found ourselves moving to the very neighborhood where this store is located - easy walking distance. And I am not exaggerating when I say that I've probably made over 500 walks to this store in the not-yet six years we've been living nearby. Without even describing the store, the reader can figure out that I'm going to give the joint five stars. Like every Trader Joe's, this location features an ever-rotating selection of Tier 1.5 items, i.e. Trader Grotto's Spinach Pizza, Trader Jose Beer, and Trader Jacques Cheese (I really wish they offered a condom brought to you by Trader Dick's). And there are usually the well-prepared samples, which more often than not inspire me to at least buy the item once (it's how I was introduced to tofurkey, no less). But best of all is the staff - in all the times I've gone there, I haven't had to wait more than five minutes in line. No cashiers whining about their upcoming break, no messes of boxes littering the floors, and plenty of quality and witty conversation. Even if this store weren't in my neighborhood, I'd be a frequent guest. read more

Good ol' TJ's! I didn't want to brave the crowds in San Rafael, so I headed to Novato. So glad I did. This location has a smaller selection but makes up for it with friendly salespeople and easy parking. I think I will able to hit Trader Joe's more regularly than I was able to in the City. Turkey meatballs - check! And I can't wait until Pharmaca next door has their mini-spa up and running. It will be a reflexology massage and then gathering goods for dinner. Nice! read more

I love this Trader Joe's location. So much better than San Rafael and Corte Madera. They are awesome here! Always well stocked and easy to find products. Super friendly staff. The parking lot always has space. No complaints about anything here except for maybe the checkout space could be longer where you put your groceries to check out but other than that-no complaints-just lots of love for this place and the people working here! read more

Wanted to give a shout out to Richard at the Navajo TJs. I called in the morning asking about cornbread mix as I needed to make cornbread for 100 people for our chili cook off. Richard was able to reassure me that it was good, easy to make and even helped me calculate how many boxes I would need. To top it off, he set the boxes aside for me so I didn't have to worry about there being enough when I got there. Thanks, Richard, for making one part of a stressful day stress free! read more

I'm impressed with the corn dogs! Fast and friendly staff, no lines. My go to spot for some groceries! I do cheat and go to Safeway and Whole Foods at times, but come on, you can't beat the prices here and most of the items here are tasty! I will be back! Probably tomorrow ha. read more

I mean, it is Trader Joe's how can it not be good? The people are friendly who work here, they have yummy samples, they carry great products. WAIT! They carry Kringle from the Danish Bakery in Racine? I didn't think it was legal to sell crack in stores. five stars read more

Good convenient location with friendly staff. It's one of the smaller stores, but it was such a welcome addition to culinary deprived Novato when it opened some 5 years ago. Easy to park also. read more

I've always loved Trader Joes, and I would normally give it a 5-star review, but I wanted to share something I saw when I visited this location yesterday. A was looking around in the salad section when I realized a woman nearby had opened a box of blueberries, tried one, and said "Too sour" and put the box back. Then she did the same thing with another. All the while, someone was stocking the shelves right next to her. He suggested the strawberries were good, so she tried one of those too, and said Oh Yes, they're delicious. Then she put the box she sampled back, grabbed one that was full, put it in her cart, and rolled away. TJ's has great customer-friendly policies, but I'm thinking this goes too far. So, caveat emptor, I guess, at least around the boxed fruit. read more

I've been shopping at TJs for the last 15 years all over the bay area and spend about $100/week there. Last Sunday, I had a gentleman cashier who when I said hello did not say hello or anything else and not that it's a deal breaker but then I bagged my groceries, which again I don't mind doing. However, when he finished ringing things up and the bags were on the counter, he threw my receipt in the bag and then moved on to the next customer. I have never had a cashier not at least put my bags in my cart for me, especially after I bagged them. This guy definitely had an attitude and was taking it out on the customer. Very disappointing service. read more

Can you go wrong with anything here? So far I would say no. I love this place. My favorite food here is the canister of black licorice. So yummy!!! Great pricing and yummy food. Customer service is always over the top nice read more

The friendliest staff. The store is clean. All employees are helpful and there to help. Great shopping experience

I love Trader Joe's but two things happened today that have me scratching my head. Has your team ever heard of FIFO? Seems so strange to just put new items on top of older items. They aren't getting rotated. Second thing had to do with my checkout. I only had 5 items, she rang up 4 of them and my fault for not remembering the 5th but she started ringing up the next persons order when that person saw my item. Instead of canceling the order and fixing mine, she told me I had to wait for her to finish the other persons order. I ended up saying never mind because I didn't want to wait but I find it very strange that she couldn't ring up my one item in order to let me get out of there. read more

Three cheers for Trader Joe's. In consideration of this very scary time Trader Joe's is totally prepared with totally stocked shelves,employees are thoughtful and kind to the customers making sure to keep them at a safe distance from each other. Shopping bags are free and carts are cleaned after each customer. read more

Well I find this to be a very difficult review to write because I love Trader Joes. But this particular Trader Joes suffers from poor management and in turn this effects the staff, the inventory level and ultimately the customer. We have been visiting this location since they opened at least twice a week and we spend a lot of money here. However over the past 12 months this location has really gone down hill. 1). Poor inventory levels, a lot of items are often out of stock or have not been unpacked from the back room and this is at any given time of the day. 2). The Novato location does not always offer the same inventory as other locations forcing the customer to much better stocked TJ shops such as Napa or Larkspur. 3). The staff are not as friendly as they used to be and a lot of the great employees they used to have quit over poor management. So please if Corporate Trader Joes is reading please bring this store back to what it once was! Thanks... read more