Trader Joe’s Founder Joe Coulombe Dies At 89
#Socialites, we have some unfortunate news to share. Joe Coulombe, the guy who founded Trader Joe’s, one of the biggest grocery chains in the country, has sadly passed away.
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It was said that Coulombe, also known as Two Buck Chuck, died on Friday at his home in Pasadena, Ca after battling a long illness, his son also named Joe, said in a statement. Coulombe, who created Trader Joe’s markets with a vision that college-educated but poorly paid young people would actually buy healthy foods if they could only afford them, was 89-years-old.
Coulombe opened his first store in California back in 1967. He stocked it with a bunch of granola and organic foods that he bought directly from suppliers to hold prices down, according to 5NewsOnline.com. Eventually, he expanded to a wide range of items. That store is still operating and it’s in its original location.
In 1979, Joe sold the company to German grocery retailer Aldi Nord. He retired from the company in 1988, nine years later when Trader Joe’s had 19 stores. Now, the chain has more than 500 stores in 42 states and the District of Columbia.
Joe is survived by his wife Alice Steere, their 3 kids and 6 grandchildren.
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