New Trader Joe’s replaces Big Lots in Southern California city

Grab your canvas tote bags — Trader Joe’s is expanding its empire.

The cult-favorite grocer has confirmed its bringing its everything bagel seasoning and mandarin orange chicken to Anaheim Hills.

The new store will be located at 6336 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, taking over a former Big Lots space at the Anaheim Hills Village. The location is now listed on the Trader Joe’s website as “coming soon,” confirming months of speculation that the grocery chain was headed to the area.

The project has been closely watched by Anaheim Hills residents since reports first surfaced online a year ago that Trader Joe’s had secured permits for the site.

While the company has not announced an official opening date, they did post an update on their website saying the “crew is working hard so we can open our doors.”

The new location is part of a broader growth push that will see the company roll out about 20 new stores across the country in 2026, building on a rapid expansion streak that picked up speed late last year. This late-year surge was part of a larger 2025 expansion that saw a total of 43 new locations open nationwide.

As other food giants are scaling back and trimming fat, the famously quirky and budget-friendly Trader Joe’s is charging ahead.

For the uninitiated, a new Trader Joe’s isn’t just a win for your dinner table — it’s a massive win for the local economy. Properties within a tight radius of the grocery chain typically see a bump in real estate prices sometimes referred to as the “Trader Joe’s Effect.”

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