<P> Each location is designed to represent its respective area . Every store has its own crew members that create artwork to represent the surrounding neighborhood . Some store locations have their own "find the mascot" and kids can obtain a prize when they tell a crew where it is "hiding". </P> <P> Trader Joe's is a tiki - nautical themed establishment but locational stores may include props to blend into the local area; for example, a surf theme for a store near the beach . Legend even says that some locations have a rather peculiar initiation where they have their employees "walk the plank". </P> <P> While a typical grocery store may carry 50,000 items, Trader Joe's stocks about 4,000 items, 80% of which bear one of its own brand names . Trader Joe's describes itself as "your neighborhood grocery store ." Products include gourmet foods, organic foods, vegetarian foods, unusual frozen foods, imported foods, domestic and imported wine and beer (where local law permits), "alternative" food items, and staples such as bread, cereal, eggs, dairy, coffee, and produce . Non-food items include personal hygiene products, household cleaners, vitamins, pet food, plants, and flowers . </P> <P> Many of the company's products are environmentally friendly . In October 2007, amid customer concerns, Trader Joe's began to phase out foods imported from China, and from February to April 2008, Trader Joe's phased out single - ingredient products from China because of customer concerns . Between 2012 and 2013, Trader Joe's moved from 15th on Greenpeace's CATO (Carting Away the Oceans) scale to third by removing six unsustainable species of fish from its shelves and getting involved in efforts to protect the Bering Sea Canyons . </P>

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