Joe Coulombe, Founder of Popular Trader Joe’s Markets, Dies

It is with sadness that I note the passing of Joe Coulombe, founder of Trader Joe’s markets.

The first time I took my kids to a Trader Joe’s, I told them before we went in, “Now I want you to notice something. Check out what a completely different experience this is than going to a regular supermarket, based solely on the people in the store–and I mean both the employees and the customers. Compared to the rude dolts you see at most grocery stores, these folks are far better educated, they communicate, they smile, and they go out of their way to be helpful to one another. Just watch and listen.”