A dozen Austin references you didn’t know about in Trader Joe’s

It’s like a mini city-wide scavenger hunt.

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What Austin landmarks would you add?

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Austin’s Seaholm District Trader Joe’s location — aka store 452 — is one of three of the chain’s locations in the city.

Austin didn’t have a Trader Joe’s until September 2013, when the franchise opened a Rollingwood location at 2805 Bee Cave Rd. and quickly followed with two more in northwest Austin and downtown. The grocery store has since gained a cult-like following in ATX, carrying local produce and Capital City-themed reusable bags. It also features a ton of local Easter eggs to enjoy while you shop.

Let us paint you a picture of the Austin references you can find for yourself at the Seaholm Trader Joe’s.

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Trader Joe’s lets you know exactly where you are as soon as you enter with a mural of the historic Seaholm Power Plant .

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Take a walk through the bluebonnets — er, bread section — which pays homage to the state flower...

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...then gaze upon a painted skyline in the produce section.

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Both of ATX’s most-beloved sports teams have their own mural — on opposite sides of the store. Longhorn fans congregate near the dairy aisle, and Verde is well-represented in the home goods section.

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El Arroyo’s cheeky sign has been rebranded to “El Joe-Yo” in this artistic take.

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Although the phrase “Ninja Style Kung Fu Grip ” has since been covered up on the train bridge above Lady Bird Lake, it lives on forever in our hearts, and on the wall at Trader Joe’s.

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The cash wrap sports a stylized mural based on the “Greetings from Austin ” mural by Todd Sanders and Rory Skagen on 1720 S. 1st St.

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A moontower sits nestled among some larger-than-life canned goods — a nod to how the antique streetlamps can only be seen in Austin .

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Make a quick stop at the historic Driskill Hotel as you check out.

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A mock bat bridge, resembling the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge , adorns the corner above the juices.

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No trip to Austin is complete without Wooderson’s famous “Dazed and Confused” quote — the movie was filmed locally, directed by local filmmaker Richard Linklater , and was famed Austinite Matthew McConaughey’s first role.

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Trader Joe’s says goodbye the local way, saying “So Long (Center).”

Let us know if you can find any more Austin Easter eggs.

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Laura Figi has called Austin home for more than 12 years and has been known to say it’s her “favorite city in the world.” A proud graduate of Texas State University, she’s been working in local news since 2020. When she’s not working and learning about the community, you can find her at the local thrift shop, spending time with her two cats, or listening to live music.
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