‘I've been waiting for 33 years’: Trader Joe’s opens its first location in Ocean County

Ocean County’s first Trader Joe’s is now open following this morning’s ribbon-cutting and grand opening.
The location is at 110 Brick Plaza in Brick Township, the site formerly housed a furniture store.
Hundreds and hundreds of people were already shopping shortly after the doors opened.
The line snaked around the plaza, with some waiting for hours.
"I've been waiting for 33 years, so I'm glad it's finally here sir," says Bill McMahon, of Brick.
The grocery chain fills yet another once vacated store front, something Brick Mayor John Ducey worked hard to make a reality since taking office.
"It's just another thing of a long chain trying to bring businesses in to fill the old empty storefronts bunch abandoned for a number of years and we are slowly filling them all up one at a time," says Mayor Ducey.
The California-based specialty grocery store often ranks high among the competition in surveys.
"I probably have the longest history here, been buying from Trader Joe's for 40 years, and they have the most remarkable customer service out of any company I've ever dealt with," says Al Gurvitz, of Newark.
Mayor Ducey says to look for more empty storefronts to become occupied in the months to come, as just next door, work continues on an indoor adventure center featuring a rock climbing wall.
Another Trader Joe’s location is slated to open next Friday in the Shoppes at Union Hill in Denville.
Trader Joe's locations are also planned for Cherry Hill and Bridgewater.
The chain currently has 13 locations across the state.