Monday, December 23, 2024

No Joe for now at Joe's Wine Co.

The signage is down outside Joe's Wine Co. at 111 Third Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street.

As reported earlier this month, Trader Joe's is accusing Joe's Wine Co. of violating the grocery chain's intellectual property rights. 

Trader Joe's alleges that Joe's Wine Co. originally used a circular logo, color scheme, and wood paneling similar to the grocer's distinctive trademarks and aesthetic. 

After receiving notice of an impending lawsuit from Trader Joe's, Joe's Wine Co. removed its name and signage and assured Trader Joe's it would select a new name and branding, according to the lawsuit. However, the lawsuit states that, in mid-November, Joe's Wine Co. continued to use the name "Joe's Wine Co." and wood paneling similar to Trader Joe's. 
An EVG reader noticed that the signage was down this past week, and the interior was in disarray. "There are boxes all over the floor, so not really conducive for shopping, although someone did sell me a couple of bottles of wine." 

Joe's name and logo were also removed from the wine store's social media accounts ...
Back to Supermarket News: 
Trader Joe's is seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false advertising, unfair competition, and trademark dilution under the Lanham Act and New York state law. The Lanham Act is a federal law that addresses trademark infringement. 
We reached out to the business to ask about a name change.

Joe's Wine Co. opened in November. State Liquor Authority paperwork from July 2023 lists the ownership as Taste Wine LLC, a business previously located at 50 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street... (public records now list the name as Joe's Wine Inc.) 

Gary Landsman opened Taste Wine in 2015 before closing in May 2020 to focus on raising awareness and finding a treatment for the fatal genetic disease that his two young sons have. At the time, he said he was hopeful about selling the business. 

Taste Wine reopened in the fall of 2020 under new ownership before shutting down in early 2021.
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 23, 2024 at 10:47 AM

    Trader Joe's is a fucking bully. They have the money to spend on frivolous lawsuits and union busting lawyers, but they don't have the money to pay their employees? Every day they do something evil to damage their cheery brand and reveal their true selves.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousDecember 23, 2024 at 11:34 AM

    Been to this wine store several times including on Friday and not once did I feel I was at a Trader Joe’s. TJs just being a corporate bully. Whats next, suing Joes pizza for using Joe and red signage?

    ReplyDelete

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