Is Trader Joe’s Setting Up Shop in Corktown? [Updated]

Is Trader Joe’s opening a new store in Detroit? A mysterious sign raised on the fence outside Corktown’s CPA Building suggests that a new TJ’s outpost is “Coming Soon” to the neighborhood. An image of the banner, first shared by Matthew Naimi of Recycle Here!, has been making the rounds on Facebook, eliciting a combination of excitement and skepticism from Detroit residents.

The oddly neighborhood-specific banner has yet to be claimed as legitimate by the company, suggesting that this could all be an elaborate prank cooked up by someone with a lot of time on their hands. Eater has reached out to Trader Joe’s for confirmation.

Michelle and Chris Gerard

The CPA Building itself has been the subject of controversy in the past couple months. It was initially targeted by the city for demolition in November, but a group of community activists and historical preservationists rallied to save the structure. In the end it was temporarily saved from the wrecking ball.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Update, 1/17, 3:55 p.m.: A representative for Trader Joe’s confirms that the signage is not official. “Corktown in Detroit is not in our two year plan,” the spokesperson tells Eater, adding that Trader Joe’s has no plans “at this time” to expand to Detroit proper. So call this hoax busted. Those unwilling to put their hopes to rest of a future Two Buck Chuck vendor can always send their queries through the “Request a TJ’s in My City” email form.

• Is a Trader Joe's Coming to Corktown, or Are We Being Trolled? [BLAC]

• Is Trader Joe’s coming to the CPA Building in Corktown? [CDET]

• All CPA Building Coverage [CDET]