Trader Joe’s opens on Halloween; two eateries to open nearby

There’s considerable rubbernecking on Perkins Road near Acadian Thruway as a turning lane gets striped in, and motorists watch Acadian Village occupants hang signs and prepare to open doors.

In the food department, the long-awaited California-based supermarket, Trader Joe’s, will open its first Louisiana store Thursday, Oct. 31. The 13,000-square-foot store will feature the privately held chain’s characteristic GMO-free fare, along with fresh produce, affordable wines, private label fare and Hawaiian shirt-clad staff. A ceremonial lei cutting will kick off at 8 a.m. opening day, and face painting for kids, giveaways and food demonstrations will occur throughout the day. The store’s hours will be 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

Elsewhere in Acadian Village will be Pei Wei Diner, PF Chang’s fast Asian restaurant, which features customized noodle bowls among other dishes. It’s now being built on the south side of the complex. Pei Wei has two New Orleans-area locations, one on North Carrollton Avenue and the other on Veterans Boulevard in Metairie.

Also opening soon is the New Orleans-based Italian gelateria and café La Divina, which also serves gourmet paninis, soups, trufffled mac and cheese and more. —Maggie Heyn Richardson