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Trader Joe's opens in Vista; city highlights job growth and downtown events
Summary
Mayor John Franklin marked the opening of Trader Joe's at North County Square and cited several local business expansions and events that contributed to job growth and downtown activity in 2024.
Mayor John Franklin celebrated several economic-development milestones for 2024, including the Dec. opening of a Trader Joe's at North County Square, which the mayor said created roughly 75 jobs and drew large crowds on opening day.
At the ribbon-cutting, Bill Valleica, managing director of North County Square, said the city and property owners worked together over a long timeline to land the store. "The city of Vista has been phenomenal ... there's a can do environment around here," Valleica said.
Rachel Bell, CEO of the Vista Chamber of Commerce, said the Trader Joe's opening gives residents another local shopping option so they do not need to travel to neighboring cities. "More options are always great, and it means that our residents don't have to drive to Oceanside or Carlsbad to get the things that they need from Trader Joe's," Bell said.
Franklin also credited expansions by local employers that he said added jobs: he cited m2 ingredients and AllSCO Incorporated each adding more than 100 jobs and Granite Construction adding about 65 positions. The mayor highlighted the downtown business-improvement district's events, including the Vista Rod Run and seasonal festivals, as contributors to increased visitor activity.
The mayor framed the openings and expansions as signs of a thriving local economy and of ongoing city efforts to attract and retain businesses.
