West Coast grocery chain Trader Joe's is listed as having an "active" Texas sales tax permit for an outlet in the vacated Sprouts Farmers Market storefront at the Shops at Mira Vista, 2805 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 400, Rollingwood. The permit provides a "begin date" of May 1 for the grocery store; however Michael Alexander, building official for the City of Rollingwood, is unsure of the date construction will actually begin. Alexander said that a permit is only good for one year.

"I believe they will start in the relatively near future and it will probably take between eight and 10 weeks to remodel [the existing building]," Alexander said.

Rollingwood Mayor Barry Bone acknowledged Feb. 26 that although most grocery items are not taxable, the city's sales taxes will certainly improve from the addition of Trader Joe's to the area. Bone said that the store will also boost interest in the Mira Vista center.

"The best thing [about Trader Joe's] is that it will create value in the shopping center," Bone said. "As people are attracted to Trader Joe's, they will also go to Amy's Ice Creams."

By providing residents with affordable, natural food choices, Bone anticipates the move will be beneficial for both the company and Rollingwood residents.

"With organic food at a low cost two minutes away from your house, I think Trader Joe's will be a resounding success in Rollingwood," Bone said.

According to the company's website, the Monrovia, Calif.–based company originally opened as convenience stores, known as Pronto Markets, in the 1950s with staffers sporting Hawaiian shirts. Known for its "hard-to-find, great-tasting foods," the Trader Joe's website states that the corporation aims to promote value in its own brand-name products including an extensive selection of West Coast wines.