So, a Trader Joe's opened in Fort Myers last month and I'll be in the shopping center where it is located to get something at BestBuy later this week. So, if I swing by Trader Joe's, what should I buy?

You really can’t go wrong with anything there. I’ve had maybe one disappointing item in the 5 years it has now been my main grocery store. If you prefer gluten-free or dairy-free their options are excellent.

I like the creamy goat cheese and tamari rice crackers. Salsa verde and blue tortilla chips. Saddle potato chips (like Pringles). There’s a dark chocolate with salted caramel bar I’m enjoying lately. Green tea mints. Tea tree oil hand soap and spa face wash.

I can send you pictures if you need more specifics.

If you like nuts, they have good prices on pecans and such, frozen Indian food, bratwurst, herbs, triple ginger beer when they have it, cheeses, spiced apple cider in the fall. If you drink, their single malt scotch is good

Frozen vegetables, meals, and appetizers. I like their wines, cheeses, soups (both canned and boxed). Pretty much everything is good.

Their Mandarin Chicken in the frozen aisle is a staple in our house, and I pair it with the vegetable fried rice. We devour their key lime pie, but it's the wrong season for that right now. They might still have the Mochi Cake mix.

Try the cookie butter

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. My second covid shot is Monday and I think I'll wait the CDC recommended 2 weeks for the immunity to kick in before venturing in. I understand that the Fort Myers TJs is often still very busy.

Up here, TJs in general have been some of the most safety-conscious groceries even since the beginning of the pandemic, enforcing masks and social distancing, limiting the number of people coming in, sanitizing carts and baskets in between customers.

I don't know if the same is true in Florida, though. It's definitely worth waiting until you feel safe. It'll still be there when you're ready to check it out.

They've been very good here in Miami, rendering it difficult to go to because the line to get in is huge.

Same here. Sometimes the line is long but it moves fairly quickly. I’d rather wait at TJ’s than shop elsewhere

My favorite is their wine selection! They do a wonderful job of curating a great wine selection, most of it for people in a budget who don't want to swill gas station wine.

I've loved all the booze I've bought from Trader Joe's. I'll second Hype's recommendation on that. Plus, their staff is well-versed about the stock. I wasn't sure if Florida's stores could sell wine and liquor. I do like the Charles Shaw (aka Two Buck Chuck, which is now $3) the Kings of Prohibition red wine,...

the Kentucky Bourbon, and as Rella mentioned the single malt.

We visited this morning during their "Senior Shopping Hour" and it was not too crowded and actually pleasant. This being Sunday we couldn't buy booze, because of God.

Florida stores can sell wine and beer but not liquor. I can't get that yummy Scotch Montgo had.

Wen Kings of Prohibition was a most memorable red wine. I need that one again as soon as possible.