Trader Joe’s Files Permits for New Orlando Store
The grocer plans to occupy a 12,500-square-foot space in the Colonial Marketplace.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Trader Joe's has officially filed building permits for a new location at 3001 E Colonial Dr in Orlando. The grocer intends to retrofit a former Burlington storefront within the Colonial Marketplace shopping center.
Why it matters
This move marks the expansion of the popular retailer into the East Orlando market. The store is part of a broader development effort for the shopping center, which has recently attracted several new retail and dining tenants.
The new site spans 12,500 square feet, joining other recent arrivals in the shopping center like Sierra, which occupies 23,284 square feet. Trader Joe’s maintains a growth target of 30 new stores nationwide for 2027.
The players
Trader Joe's
A national chain of neighborhood grocery stores known for selling unique, private-label products.
Colonial Marketplace
A prominent shopping center located in Orlando that hosts a variety of retail and dining establishments.
The details
The upcoming grocery store will sit between a SuperTarget and an LA Fitness, contributing to the continued revitalization of the Colonial Marketplace. Other recent additions to the center include Shake Shack, Jeff's Bagel Run, and a 5,000-square-foot space leased by Zen Dumplings.
Timeline
Trader Joe's launched a rapid expansion plan in 2025.
The company opened dozens of new stores in 2026.
The new East Orlando store is projected to open in late 2026 or early 2027.
Trader Joe's plans to open 30 new stores in 2027.
Market Landscape
This opening reflects Trader Joe’s broader strategy of aggressive retail footprint growth across high-traffic shopping centers. It positions the brand to capture additional market share in Central Florida while competing with established grocers and lifestyle retailers in the area.
Local shoppers can expect increased grocery options in the Colonial Marketplace once the store concludes its interior buildout. The addition of a major grocer typically enhances convenience and foot traffic for nearby retail neighbors.
The takeaway
The addition of this store highlights the ongoing demand for diverse grocery and retail options in the Colonial Drive corridor. Residents living nearby should anticipate construction activity as the site transitions from its former retail use into a Trader Joe's location.
Further reading
For more information on retail activity in the area, see Orlando Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Orlando Sentinel.
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