Trader Joe's to Open 22nd Massachusetts Store in Reading, Replacing Staples

Demolition permits are already in hand and renovations are set to begin immediately at 34 Walkers Brook Drive in Reading, where Trader Joe's will take over roughly 13,700 square feet of the former Staples space inside the Crossing at Walkers Brook. The Town of Reading confirmed the project on March 25, naming it the chain's 22nd Massachusetts store and putting the broader North Shore on notice that a hiring cycle is approaching.

Regional Vice President Chris Maguire pointed to the company's deep roots north of Boston in anchoring the move. "Since opening the very first Trader Joe's north of Boston in 1998, we've been proud to serve customers across two wonderful communities in Saugus and Peabody," Maguire said. "As we continue this exciting journey, expanding into Reading feels like a natural next step."

The 13,700-square-foot footprint, about 70 percent of the space Staples previously occupied, sits squarely in line with the chain's typical suburban profile: enough room for a full complement of front-end, back-of-house, and stocking roles from day one. Kevin McCarthy, Reading's Senior Planner for Economic Development, was direct about what the signing means for the town, calling it "a huge coup for Reading." Andy LaGrega, principal at Wilder, the development group behind the plaza, represented the property team and expressed enthusiasm about securing Trader Joe's as the Crossing at Walkers Brook's flagship tenant.

With demolition underway and renovation work beginning immediately, the project carries a typical 3-to-6-month runway before a grand opening, though exact timelines vary. That window matters for crew across the region. Captain and mate postings tend to surface 6-to-10 weeks before a new Trader Joe's opens, giving experienced crew at neighboring stores, including the Saugus and Peabody locations Maguire referenced, a first look at transfer opportunities. Public Crew postings generally follow as fit-out progresses and appear on the Trader Joe's Avature careers portal.

The new store is positioned to draw shoppers from Wakefield, Woburn, Stoneham, and North Reading, communities that currently sit without a Trader Joe's within easy reach. That catchment area points to strong foot traffic from opening week forward, which typically drives a robust initial hiring push rather than a lean crew build.

Managers at nearby stores, particularly in Saugus and Peabody, should expect cross-staffing conversations and scheduling pressure to build in the weeks leading up to the opening as crew weigh transfer options. Getting ahead of those discussions now, before internal postings go live, is the clearest advantage the construction timeline offers.