As reported earlier this month, Trader Joe's is accusing Joe's Wine Co. of violating the grocery chain's intellectual property rights.
Per Supermarket News:
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.
11 comments:
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.
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?
A friend texted me last week to tell me TJ wine store re opened around the corner from TJ. Joe’s Wine is 100% absolutely trying to trick customers into thinking they are TJ. And that, my friends, is when i company sues a business. It’s not bullying.
If Trader Joe's didn't shutter their wine shop for union busting this wouldn't be an issue. It's a self-inflicted wound so I'm not sympathetic. Cry me a river.
Basically. With their aggressive expansion across the country and duplicitous behavior, Trader Joe's is on track to being the next Walmart.
Trader Joe's single use plastic is horrific. It's ironic how the same customers who care enough to bring their own bags don't mind buying mochi ice cream that uses more thick plastic than a CD in the late '80s.
https://pirg.org/articles/trader-joes-can-do-more-to-reduce-plastic-waste/
The Whole Foods about to open across the street at the Former Associated will take their sales down a notch.
Trader Joes is EVIL, a bully, and ANTI-UNION and therefore ANTI AMERICAN.
The only 'trick' here is that Trader Joe's positions themselves as a neighborhood store. Trader Joe's is a chain. A neighborhood store wouldn't sue another neighborhood store out of business.
Upvote for Anon 3:20.Why is your friend texting you arcana like this?! If some place opened near me and it was called Joe's Flower's I wouldn't assume that they were trying to piggyback on Trader Joe's vaunted flower selection— Trader Joe's had two (now one?!) wine spots and the one that closed closed because they were union busting. It seems like more of an homage to all the Joe's Pizza's than Trader Joe's. And the cheap signage seemed kind of below Trader Joe's signage standards and I never suspected there was any connection. It seems like a lazy branding choice. I never went to this place or Trader Joe's, but this seems like a waste of energy for Trader Joes and it has certainly sullied the impression I have of that company...
Trader Joe's needs to take their ego down a couple of notches as they are teetering on the edge of becoming the most hated brand in NYC since 7-11, their ghost of Christmas future.
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