Trader Joe’s Abruptly Closes Its Only New York Wine Store

Three years ago, when Nesh moved to New York City, he would pick up groceries and bottles of wine from Trader Joe's in Union Square.

Shoppers could mix and match bottles and get a discount from the total price. He said that it was affordable because of that.

He walked by the store last week and was surprised to see it was no longer open. It's kind of crazy that it's gone.

Trader Joe's only wine store in New York State closed without warning, sending some shoppers of the grocery store chain into a tailspin.

We have been operating our small wine shop in the Union Square neighborhood for over 15 years and we would like to thank you for your business and support. There were many theories about the reason for the closing.

The sign said, "It is now time for us to explore another location that will allow us to maximize the potential of our one and only license to sell wine in the state of NY."

The company said it would offer an even better wine shop experience to New York customers and that staff members at the location would be paid through August.

The next iteration of the store might not be specified.

The Trader Joe's store in Union Square is one of the cheapest places in the city to get food and alcohol.

In 2006 the California-based chain, known for its quirky house- brand products and sweet deals expanded into the New York City market. The wine shop made more of a splash than a typical wine and liquor store in the area.

Devotees of the so-called two-buck Chuck, a wine bottle from the store's Charles Shaw line that costs around $2, and other options flocked there for its creative food options.

Wine from New Zealand, Italy, France and beyond can be found at Trader Joe's. There are many from its private label.

The line to the two stores stretched out towards Union Square park or around the corner of Manhattan on a weeknight.

Mr. Patel, who works in private equity, said he now shops at wine stores with more selection, but there is still a nostalgic factor.

Because of New York's alcohol sales rules, the chain could only have one wine store in the city, and it chose a building next to Trader Joe's.

Many customers complained that they were unable to stock up on some of their favorite blends.

Most grocery stores in California can sell alcoholic beverages. Some states allow supermarkets to sell alcohol. In New York, grocery stores can only sell beer, and Trader Joe's can only sell wine and liquor at one location.

The Whole Foods in New York City has a separate wine store next to a location on the Upper West Side.

The notice posted at the Union Square shop implied that Trader Joe's would soon have a new location for wine in the city, but that didn't make devotees feel much better.