Trader Joe's, the popular grocery chain, has opened a new grab-and-go store called Pronto in Union Square, sparking both positive and negative responses from customers and former employees. The store, located in the space previously occupied by a wine shop, offers a unique selection of ready-made meals, snacks, and drinks that exclude the standard grocery items found in traditional Trader Joe's stores.

According to spokesperson Nakia Rohde, Pronto is a one-of-a-kind extension of the nearby Trader Joe's location. However, its opening has been met with criticism from some customers who miss the wine shop and fail to understand the need for a separate store with a limited product range. Steve De Seve, a customer from Brooklyn, expressed his disappointment, saying, "It's strange, like when you make a photocopy and only some things come out... it's next to Trader Joe's, but it only has some of the things Trader Joe's has. So this has no purpose. And then you go in and there's only disappointment."

The closure of the wine shop in August 2022 had previously caused dismay among staff and regular customers. While Rohde stated that the decision to close the shop was due to underperformance and the search for a better location to utilize Trader Joe's sole wine-selling license in New York state, employees who were in the process of unionizing believed it was a response to their organizing efforts. They filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing Trader Joe's of unfair labor practices.

The NLRB's complaint, filed in January, demanded that Trader Joe's reopen the wine shop. The union organizers issued a statement this week condemning the opening of Pronto as a "giant slap in the face" and alleging that the company was working against the union. In response, Rohde clarified that all employees of the closed wine store were paid for their scheduled hours and had been offered positions in other Trader Joe's locations, including the Union Square store.

Customers outside of Pronto on Wednesday seemed confused about the store's purpose. Some, like Mari Flamm, entered and left empty-handed before heading to the original Trader Joe's store nearby. Others, like Manhattan resident Maya Rawal, found the concept of a grab-and-go store convenient, alleviating the need to wait in long lines for their favorite items. Rawal commented, "It was great because I come to Trader Joe's all the time... and I usually have to wait in a really long line because everyone's getting their groceries. I just wandered in and it has everything I would normally get for a non-grocery run, just a couple snacks or whatever."

While Rohde stated that Trader Joe's is still hoping to find a suitable location to sell wine, there are currently no plans to open any additional Trader Joe's Pronto markets in New York or elsewhere.

In conclusion, the opening of Trader Joe's Pronto in Union Square has generated mixed reactions. While some customers appreciate the convenience of a grab-and-go store, others feel disappointed by the absence of the wine shop and question the need for a separate location with a limited product selection. The ongoing dispute between Trader Joe's and its unionizing employees further adds to the controversy surrounding the new establishment.