Trader Joe's grocery store at 4545 Fauntleroy Way opened with the official "Lei Cutting" at 8 am on Friday April 13 with a crowd of more the 50 people waiting in the chilly morning air to be among the first to enter.

Store captain Sean Greutert talking to the crowd just before opening said, "This is probably the best Friday the 13th I've had in....I can't remember! Thank you all so much. We're so excited to be here and we really appreciate all your support and hope we have a long, long prosperous friendship together. I'm Captain Sean and if you ever have any questions or concerns I'm right here!"

Shopper Dale Sellin, who lives in Anchorage Alaska and hoping to live in West Seattle was there early and said, "I love it. I used to live in West Seattle and have lived in Anchorage for almost 30 years and I'm down here proving up on a homesteading condo. We're gratified because this is walking distance."

Diane Rose Vincent was crying as she walked in out of sheer happiness. "I just love Trader Joe's," Venti said, "I've been a fan for thirty years. I've been begging for this for over ten years and I can't believe it's finally happening."

Susan Harmon was equally excited but put the thoughts of many Trader Joe's shoppers into a simple phrase. "I don't have to drive to Burien! Yay!"

The new store is the fifth in the Seattle area.

The celebration continues on Saturday April, 14.

See our previous coverage here and here.