WESTFIELD -- It was an emotional day for Trader Joe's fans.

Demolition crews tore down the front half of the building that housed the beloved neighborhood grocery store, while passersby on Elm Street stopped to pause, take a cell phone video and wave it goodbye -- at least for now. The chain has said it plans to eventually reopen in the same location.

The building's fate was sealed in the days following January's blizzard. After the weight of a heavy snowfall caused its roof to partially collapse and several walls to buckle, officials said it must be demolished.

The story of the roof collapse sent loyal Westfield Trader Joe's fans into a panic - the location was wildly popular with an often-packed parking lot. Where would they get TJ's economical "two-buck chuck" wine? Or cookie butter? Or spicy hummus?

Folks who stopped to watch the demolition helped to explain how a grocery store came to be so adored. Many mentioned the wine, and the fact that the Westfield location of the chain is one of only two in the state with a liquor license.

For others, it was beyond what was on the shelves.

"I am so sad that Trader's isn't here," said Susan Devaney, who lives and works within walking distance of the store. "It was even a social place. You're busy and don't see friends for a while, and then when you go into Trader's, you always see people you know from town."

Devaney said her cupboards have been bare lately, and that she'll now have to head to the Millburn Trader Joe's, where traffic has grown since the Westfield store's closure.

"It is probably the most beloved store in town," said Westfield construction official Steve Freedman, who added that he's received non-stop questions from residents about the building's future since the roof collapse.

Freedman said he hopes that it will only be eight months to a year before the new Trader Joe's will open its doors, but said that was only an estimate. Trader Joe's officials wouldn't say.

Other stores in Westfield's downtown have suffered from the closure, too, according to Sherry Cronin, executive director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation.

"It has had a significant impact on the downtown economy," Cronin said. "Businesses have already noticed a difference in foot traffic since it's been closed."

Cronin also gave her thoughts on why so many are fond of the store and reacting strongly to its shuttering.

"I think it's a great example of how a national brand can make such an impact in the community," she said. "People have a big emotional attachment to the store not just because they carry great products and unique products, but also because they provide a friendly shopping experience with very caring employees."

Cronin added that she was impressed that Trader Joe's management had relocated employees.

"Nobody missed any hours and if you couldn't get transportation [to where you were relocated], Trader Joe's provided it," she said.

The demolition work was done by Jon Lombardo of Lombardo Excavating in Newton.

Only the front half of the building, which was an expansion of the original Trader Joe's and formerly housed Wells Fargo, will need to be demolished, Lombardo said. The remaining half of the building will be part of the rebuild, he said.

"It went very well, better than expected," Lombardo said.

Quietly watching as the walls were torn down was the building's owner, who declined to give her name, but said her parents once had a home on the property.

When the home was razed and an A&P was built in the 1950s, her brother was the first customer and bought a loaf of bread, she added, reflecting on the history as the excavator rattled in the background.

"It's bittersweet," she said.

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.