Lakewood Ranch-area Trader Joe's to open next week

One of the most anticipated grocery store debuts in the Sarasota-Bradenton region in several years now has an official date: Trader Joe’s in east Manatee County will open Thursday, Oct. 26. 

The 12,000-square-foot store, at 8111 Cooper Creek Blvd., is in The Shoppes at University Town Center, a Benderson Development-owned shopping center across the street from The Mall at University Town Center. (The mall is in Sarasota County, while across University Parkway, The Shoppes is in Manatee County.) Other tenants in The Shoppes include T.J. Maxx, Fresh Kitchen, Total Wine & More and JOANN Fabric and Crafts.

The area around The Shoppes is also a center point for grocery stores: Within 1 mile from the new Trader Joe's there's a Fresh Market, a Whole Foods and a Publix.