Trader Joe’s opens in Dr. Phillips – Grand opening marks 2nd Orlando-area store

ORLANDO, Fla.- Orlando's newest Trader Joe's opened Friday morning in Dr. Phillips, welcoming guests who had lined up outside. The grand opening took place at 8 a.m. at 8323 West Sand Lake Road. Trader Joe's first Orlando-area location opened in Winter Park in June 2014. The neighborhood grocery store said 80 percent of what they carry is under their private-label brand and has nothing artificial in the products. Fans of the store say it offers the quality of the store Whole Foods, but at Walmart prices. Right after the Winter Park location opened, customers discovered huge challenges when it came to parking. The Winter Park location has 150 parking spots for Trader Joe's and the many other retailers and restaurants in the shopping center. While many believe the Dr. Phillips location boasts a larger parking lot, they're wrong. The parking lot for the new location will have even fewer parking spots than Winter Park, boasting just 97 spots for Trader Joe's and the new restaurant, Slate, which is expected to open later this year. The Orange County Sheriff's Office will be directing traffic along that stretchof West Sand Lake Road for the grand opening weekend.