SAN ANTONIO — Trader Joe's will announce Wednesday that it'll open its second San Antonio store next year, this one in Stone Oak on the far North Side.

The Monrovia, Calif.-based grocer recently signed a lease for a location at 403 N. Loop 1604 W., inside the Sonterra Village shopping center between Blanco Road and Stone Oak Parkway.

The San Antonio Express-News first reported in September that Trader Joe's received a sales tax permit from the state comptroller's office to operate a new store.

The permit listed Dec. 1 as the store's first day of sales, though the company said the scheduled opening will be in late 2014.

In a statement set for release Wednesday, the niche grocer said the Stone Oak store will be about 12,500 square feet, slightly larger than its first San Antonio store, now open in the Quarry Village.

A year ago, Trader Joe's opened to long lines of customers eager to shop at the 350 E. Basse Road location in an 11,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by the west elm furniture store. The grocer's parking lot there is frequently full more than a year later.

“At this time, we don't have additional comments,” spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said in an email. “However, we are excited about the new store in San Antonio.”

Trader Joe's opened its first Texas stores in Fort Worth and The Woodlands near Houston last year, and the company has grown at a quick pace across the Lone Star State.

It now operates nine grocery stores here, with four new locations set to open soon in Austin, Dallas and Katy, according to its website.

As of press time Tuesday, Trader Joe's did not list the Stone Oak site on its list of future stores.

Before the Quarry Village location opened, David Nicolson, president of the local Weitzman Group real estate firm, recalled the company hinting that it would look to the North Side for future expansion.

“There are a lot of places in San Antonio that would make good sense for them, but this is what they said they were prioritizing for their second (location) here,” Nicolson said.

He said Trader Joe's made a smart choice to locate near the Blanco Road and Loop 1604 intersection, where Whole Foods, Target and locally based H-E-B already offer grocery options. Green Fields Market also operates in the area.

“They all want to be your grocer,” Nicolson said. “In other parts of the country that are served by the big and specialty grocery stores, the shoppers will find a reason to go to all three stores. They'll have their preferred products at each one.”

In its release, Trader Joe's highlighted its variety of own-brand grocery items. The company said it offers more than 3,000 items under its private label, which includes Trader José's salsas and Trader Ming's fried rice.

nmorton@express-news.net

Trader Joe's will announce Wednesday that it'll open its second San Antonio store next year, this one in Stone Oak on the far North Side.

The Monrovia, Calif.-based grocer recently signed a lease for a location at 403 N. Loop 1604 W., inside the Sonterra Village shopping center between Blanco Road and Stone Oak Parkway.

The San Antonio Express-News first reported in September that Trader Joe's received a sales tax permit from the state comptroller's office to operate a new store.

The permit listed Dec. 1 as the store's first day of sales, though the company said the scheduled opening will be in late 2014.

In a statement set for release Wednesday, the niche grocer said the Stone Oak store will be about 12,500 square feet, slightly larger than its first San Antonio store, now open in the Quarry Village.

A year ago, Trader Joe's opened to long lines of customers eager to shop at the 350 E. Basse Road location in an 11,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by the west elm furniture store. The grocer's parking lot there is frequently full more than a year later.

“At this time, we don't have additional comments,” spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said in an email. “However, we are excited about the new store in San Antonio.”

Trader Joe's opened its first Texas stores in Fort Worth and The Woodlands near Houston last year, and the company has grown at a quick pace across the Lone Star State.

It now operates nine grocery stores here, with four new locations set to open soon in Austin, Dallas and Katy, according to its website.

As of press time Tuesday, Trader Joe's did not list the Stone Oak site on its list of future stores.

Before the Quarry Village location opened, David Nicolson, president of the local Weitzman Group real estate firm, recalled the company hinting that it would look to the North Side for future expansion.

“There are a lot of places in San Antonio that would make good sense for them, but this is what they said they were prioritizing for their second (location) here,” Nicolson said.

He said Trader Joe's made a smart choice to locate near the Blanco Road and Loop 1604 intersection, where Whole Foods, Target and locally based H-E-B already offer grocery options. Green Fields Market also operates in the area.

“They all want to be your grocer,” Nicolson said. “In other parts of the country that are served by the big and specialty grocery stores, the shoppers will find a reason to go to all three stores. They'll have their preferred products at each one.”

In its release, Trader Joe's highlighted its variety of own-brand grocery items. The company said it offers more than 3,000 items under its private label, which includes Trader José's salsas and Trader Ming's fried rice.

nmorton@express-news.net