Document text
Trader Joe's and REI are coming to Medford. Or are they? If a sign erected Friday afternoon at the intersection of highways 99, 62 and 238 is to be believed, then those venerable retailers are on their way to the new Northgate development across from Rogue Valley Mall, along with Petco and Ulta Beauty. Problem is, the sign was taken back down hours later, so it's hard to say what's true at this point. At least from an official standpoint. Because officials for the stores weren't returning phone calls Saturday. So Trader Joe's is still a rumor, even though the developer of the site, Steve Morgan, has been quoted as saying "the rumors are true." Morgan also did not return phone calls Saturday. REI, meanwhile, did answer its phones Saturday, but officials didn't have much to say. "We don't have an announcement at this time," said REI spokeswoman Bethany Hawley. In spite of the lack of hard information, Trader Joe's fans are excited. A "Southern Oregonians for a Trader Joe's" Facebook group has nearly 6,500 members. Dozens of new comments have posted to the page since the sign went up and came down Friday. Kellie Wilmes of Gold Hill said price, variety and quality are the key reasons she's a Trader Joe's fan. Once every three months or so, she either makes a trip to Chico, Calif., to pick up some bags of goodies, or she gives a list to family members living in the area before they come up to visit. "Every chance we get, we will do it ourselves," Wilmes said. "There are even dog items we've gotten there, too, like vitamins." Jacksonville resident Jody Hubler is also a Trader Joe's fan. She makes lists for family members and hits the Trader Joe's in Tigard when she's visiting up north. "They have a very large selection of healthy foods that are affordable and actually taste good," Hubler said. If the rumors pan out, Wilmes is sure she'll be one of the first people in line at the Trader Joe's grand opening. "I'm sure of it, absolutely," she said. "There would be a lot of excited people and a lot of shoppers." Hubler took it a step further. "I'm going to get a job there. That's what a fan I am. I want to work there," she said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or by email at [email protected].