There’s a petition gaining traction on the east end to bring Trader Joe’s to Riverhead (no, that apostrophe is not a typo, it’s their name). If you’re not familiar with this brand of neighborhood groceries, you missed something special. They taste every product before they decide to sell it, and guarantee you’ll like it. (Trader Joe’s Product Guarantee: We tried it! We liked it! If you don’t, bring it back for a full refund, no questions asked.)

You might expect indulgences like these to come with unbecoming prices. But at Trader Joe’s, they’re as much about value as they are about great food. In other words, they keep costs low, cut out the middleman whenever possible and pass savings on to you in the form of terrific everyday prices. So you can afford to be adventurous without breaking the bank. Whatever the advertising, they certainly have a cult following.

Of the six Long Island stores currently available for the weekly food shop, the nearest location to the North Fork and the Hamptons is in Lake Grove, over 30 miles and at least a 40 minute drive in each direction.

Now there’s a new Facebook Group of more than 250 members petitioning to bring the store closer, set up by Claire Kennedy. Jean Bloomingdale Linder said, “There is certainly enough of a year round population to keep this place going. People will come as far as 25+ miles to shop here regularly. They are used to doing that! And during the summer, it will undoubtedly be a zoo.” To join the Facebook group, go to FB and join the group, “Trader Joe’s RIVERHEAD NY Location Request Group”.

For a taste of Trader Joe’s, here’s their most recent newsletter, the Fearless Flyer , and the in-house-by-the-staff, no frills attached, refreshingly different radio ads here.