Trader Joe’s finally opens first store in Harlem

NEW YORK — Four years after first being announced, Trader Joe’s has finally made its way to Harlem USA.

On Thursday morning, the supermarket chain — a favorite of millennials and known for its Instagrammable food finds — held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its first location in the ever-gentrifying upper Manhattan hamlet.

Situated on the ground level of the new Urban League Empowerment Center on West 125th St. between Lenox Ave. and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., the food emporium will shake up the busy thoroughfare, which already boasts outposts of popular chains such as Krispy Kreme, Planet Fitness and Whole Foods.

It’s the brand’s 10th location in Manhattan.

As a nod to Harlem’s culturally rich history, the location’s interior artwork highlights local landmarks, including the Apollo Theater, Adam Clayton State Park and iconic 125th Street.

With a mission to provide around-the-clock fresh produce to its customers, the company is looking to hire 100 staffers from surrounding areas and transfer in others from nearby Trader Joe’s stores.

Through its longstanding Neighborhood Shares Program, the new location will also donate 100% of products that are unsold but are still good to community-based organizations.