Long-Awaited Harlem Trader Joe's Reveals Opening Date

HARLEM, NY — For over three years, Harlem residents have eagerly awaited the long-promised opening of Trader Joe's at a new development led by the National Urban League.

Finally, their wait is over. Trader Joe's will open on Thursday at 8 a.m. following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the company says.

Trader Joe's will open a 17,800-square-foot store at 123 West 125th St., the site of the future Urban League Empowerment Center — a 17-story building that includes office space, retail outlets, affordable housing, the headquarters of the National Urban League, and a new museum dedicated to the civil rights movement.

Trader Joe's currently has ten Manhattan locations, but none in Harlem.

The new building's interior will highlight local landmarks, like the famous Apollo Theater and the iconic 125th Street, a company spokesperson said.

With the new opening in Harlem, the grocery chain is also looking to hire 100 new crew members from the surrounding areas. Interested applicants can find more details here.

The Harlem Trader Joe's will carry all the items regular TJ's shoppers know and love, including flavored sparkling waters, cold-brew coffee, fresh salad kits, foods, snacks, flowers and plants, beauty products, frozen and prepared foods.

Construction of the Urban League Empowerment Center began in the summer of 2022, as Patch previously reported.

The building was designed by Beyer Blinder Belle, with developers including the Prusik Group, BRP Companies, L+M Development Partners, Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, and Taconic Partners.

Trader Joe's and Target have been named as the two commercial tenants in the Urban League center, contributing to the ongoing development surge along the 125th Street corridor. Recently, Sephora, the renowned beauty product retailer, also opened its latest store at 121 W. 125th St., positioned between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Malcolm X Boulevards.

The Urban Empowerment Center is expected to complete construction in 2025.