Trader Joe's Applies For New UES Store

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The Upper East Side is finally getting its Trader Joe's. The Community Board 8 landmarks committee unanimously approved the grocery chain's application to open in the landmarked space beneath the Queensboro Bridge during a Monday night meeting.

Trader Joe's is required to gain landmarks permission from the city before making modifications to the East 59th Street and First Avenue space such as hanging a new sign and creating a new loading bay. Despite the application process, representatives of the store told the board Monday they hope to open in the space "as soon as possible."

Architects explained during Monday's meeting that Trader Joe's will not need to do much construction to get the store up-and-running because of the space's previous use as a supermarket.

The most significant work to be done includes covering up some mechanical equipment and the construction of a new loading area. The new loading space is located two bays to the west of the one used by the Food Emporium on the East 60th Street side of the store. Architects designed the loading doors to match the Queensboro Bridge's exterior profile and to serve as an awning while open, according to the presentation given Monday night.

The Queensboro Bridge retail space was previously occupied by a Food Emporium, which closed in 2015. The arts and crafts store Michael's planned to open in the space — submitting applications to the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2017 — but the move fell through. Michael's application met some resistance from landmarks commissioners who though the proposed design clashed with the retail space's historical significance.

A resolution in support of the application will be voted on during Community Board 8's next full meeting. After the Community Board, the city Landmarks Preservation Commission will consider the application.

A spokesperson for Trader Joe's did not respond to Patch's request for comment.