At last, at last, lord almighty, cheap rosemary-dusted Marcona almonds (and frozen wild salmon steaks, and Czech beer, and organic dog food, and and and) AT LAST. I’ve posted about it my love for Trader Joe’s a million times (here and here and here), and they’re FINALLY opening a Florida location.

In Naples.

Even after Fortune magazine published a story explaining WHY Trader Joe’s would not be opening stores here; even after my many emails to TJ’s deliciously named spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki went unanswered, there it is: “‘It’s absolutely true,’ said Alison Mochizuki, a spokeswoman for the trendy grocery store chain.” (All is forgiven, Mochizuki, but a gift basket would be nice.)

I’ll be making the 196-mile drive (and blogging about it). Will you?

UPDATE, Jan. 10: The Naples Daily News reports that the store will open Feb. 10. COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

This article appears in Sep 7-13, 2011.

Jessica Bryce Young has been working with Orlando Weekly since 2003, serving as copy editor, dining editor and arts editor before becoming editor in chief in 2016.