Life Lived and Lessons Learned-1 – Ken Williams

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At Trader Joe”s

Episode 1 – the first of others to come:

Some of you may not be familiar with a store chain called Trader Joe’s, so before I share life lived and lessons learned, working nearly seven years as a Trader Joe’s employee, I’ll share a short explanation of the TJ history and how it is distinct from other grocery stores. Describing it merely as another food market and convenience store sells the TJ culture short. Why the name “Trader Joe’s?” How did it grow from one store to over 600 stores across the U.S.? What makes it so popular?

So, what was the first store like and why the name “Trader Joe’s”?

January 1968, I entered this new food market and convenience store in South Pasadena, CA. Owner, Joe Columbe, loved the romantic South Seas idea of a sea trader, so he named his store Trader Joe’s. His employees wore Hawaiian shirts, used brass ship bells for communicating with one another, and decorated the store with surfboards. My Los Angelino blood identified with the atmosphere and offerings of exotic foods. There was Trader Vic’s, an exotic restaurant in Beverly Hills, but no grocery store that shared the popular Tiki culture. Was Joe Columbe merely a good salesman using a popular gimmick?

What distinguished Trader Joe’s from other grocery stores?

What I experienced in 1968 in the South Pasadena Trader Joe’s is the same experience that others have shared with me. The employees noticed my presence. They welcomed me and asked if they could be of service. I just wanted to browse the store’s exotic fruits and other products new to me. Crew members noticed when I looked up with a puzzled look on my face and offered service. I was aware that customers seemed to be more important than restocking shelves. In time the employees of the TJ brand became known for living the golden rule, treating others as they would like to be treated. This is not a gimmick. It feels organic, a spirit of love for people and good food.

So, how did I, a retired pastor and senior citizen come to work for Trader Joe’s?

I have desired to be of service to others for over 60 years starting with joining the U.S. Navy. God gave me this motivation for the 42-years of my career following college. I served in pastoral ministry for 25 years, and another 17 ministering to pastors. August 1989, Nancy, our children, and I were transferred to Rochester, NY for my last senior pastor assignment. We remained after I retired in May 2012. For a couple of years, I worked full time for a print shop but missed face-to-face connection of serving people.

Summer of 2018, Jessica, our daughter-in-law, suggested I apply for work at our Rochester Trader Joe’s store where she worked. My first love for the store was rekindled and I followed her lead. I was hired by store #534 that summer. I already loved the Trader Joe’s Brand but now I had the opportunity to participate with the team serving customers, participating in an environment that breeds consideration and mutual respect. Now I could ring the brass bell! I am elderly, and old enough to be father or grandfather of most of the employees I worked with, but we ignored generational and other differences working together to serve others.

O.K. but I retired from Trader Joe’s after nearly seven years. Why?

I was able to fulfill all the crew member duties for some years but realized the last couple left me feeling fatigued all the time. My hematologist told me I had chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Other illnesses and treatments followed, and my energy was diminished further. Nancy and I are elderly, and it became obvious that “pushing it” would no longer work for Nancy serving as a teacher in middle school, and for me at Trader Joe’s. I resigned Saturday, September 13, 2025.

So, now what?

Life lived and lessons learned from my service in the U.S.N., followed by serving as a church pastor and then as a pastor’s pastor, providing service as a wide-format printer, and then helping people at Trader Joe’s, has given me a treasure chest of priceless tools. God gave them to me through these various venues.

So, all that said, you are now ready to enter the adventures I had during my almost seven years of employment at Trader Joe’s – they will follow in future episodes. 

So, stay tuned for episode 2!

Ken and Nancy Williams served for some 25 years in pastoral ministry, and then almost another 20 years serving and mentoring other pastors.  With the heart of a pastor Ken continues to write and blog from upstate New York where he and Nancy live close to their grandchildren.