Here’s your first look inside Trader Joe’s new Sugar House store

Utah’s newest location of the Trader Joe’s grocery chain is filled with signs that pay tribute to Sugar House and other nearby neighborhoods — from the 9th and 9th whale taking a dive with “Scandinavian Swimmers” to a marquee sign reminiscent of the nearby Dee’s Restaurant.

The chain’s fifth Utah location — at 2160 S. 700 East, in a former Pep Boys auto parts store — was scheduled to open Friday, bringing bits of nostalgia to the 170-year-old neighborhood.

For Friday’s opening, starting at 9 a.m., customers will be offered cups of hot cider and music from Highland High School’s jazz band and Salt Lake City performer J-Rad Cooley. The store, boasting some 80 Sugar House locals as employees, will remain open through 9 p.m.

The Sugar House store sits within a block that includes See’s Candies and a Dee’s Family Restaurant. Regular store hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

“There’s a lot of hype over this store, which gets me excited,” said Nick Golfinopoulas, the store’s manager (the company prefers the title “captain”), during a Thursday preview.

After months of rumors of another Trader Joe’s opening a new location in the Beehive State, the supermarket chain announced the Sugar House location in March.

Golfinopoulas, who brainstormed with crew members for more than a year on Sugar House landscapes and characters to highlight in the store’s decor, said he hopes to pay homage to the community.

“We are the ones who decide what we were going to put up,” he said. “Not what somebody at Trader Joe’s is telling us to do. ... We do what’s right for the community.”

Other Sugar House trademarks included in the store are:

⋅A snack shelf piled high with Utah’s favorite Trader Joe’s sweets — with sparkling pink lemonade to wash it down — is set to switch around every five weeks. “Our customers are very passionate about their sweets in Salt Lake City,” said Golfinopoulas.

⋅Wrapped around the interior, murals by local artists highlight such landmarks as Nu-Crisp Popcorn Co., Hidden Hollow and Sugar House Park.

⋅ A flamingo plushie and portrait pay tribute to Pink Floyd, the flamingo that famously escaped from Tracy Aviary and lived many years at the Great Salt Lake.

⋅ Historic photographs, rendered by local artist Laurie Gray, feature more landmarks, including the Snelgrove’s Ice Cream double-scoop sign and Raging Waters waterpark.

Since the new Sugar House location is midway point between Trader Joe’s 400 South and Cottonwood Heights locations, Golfinopoulas said the new store will help reduce customer traffic, particularly in the smaller downtown location.

“We wanted to put a store that was going to be in a great spot, in a busy area,” Golfinopoulas said. “But also help that [400 South] store out a little bit ... give that store a little more breathing room.”