Trader Joe’s Mini Totes Are Back—And The Lines Are Already Ridiculous!

If you thought the craze for Trader Joe’s mini totes had fizzled out after their March 2024 debut, think again. These pint-sized canvas bags are back in stock, and shoppers are once again lining up in droves to snag them.

On Wednesday, September 18, Trader Joe’s brought back its viral mini totes for a limited time, causing lines to form before stores even opened. The totes, which retail for just $2.99, have reignited the same frenzy they sparked earlier this year, and fans are flocking to stores across the country to secure one—or a few—of these colorful carryalls.

The Mini Tote Comeback: What’s The Buzz?

The mini tote mania began back in March 2024 when Trader Joe’s first launched these adorable canvas bags. With their colorful handles and practical size, these totes quickly became an internet sensation.

Measuring 13 by 11 by 6 inches, they’re the perfect size for carrying your favorite Trader Joe’s snacks or essentials without the bulk of a full-size tote. While their affordability was a big draw, what truly drove the craze was their limited availability.

Shoppers lined up at stores as early as dawn to grab these bags, and those who missed out resorted to paying hefty markups—some as high as $500—on resale platforms like eBay. Fast forward to September, and the buzz is back. With the latest release of the mini totes, the excitement and demand have only grown.

Lines, Wait Times, And Sold-Out Colors

The September 18 release of the mini totes has proven just as chaotic as the initial launch, with lines forming outside Trader Joe’s locations across the country before stores even opened. In Falls Church, VA, eager shoppers were lined up by 6:30 a.m., well before the store’s 8 a.m.

opening time. By noon, popular colors like yellow and navy were already sold out, according to one enthusiastic Redditor tracking the tote restocking.

The Albany, NY location saw similar scenes of early risers snagging the bags. One shopper recounted arriving just three minutes after opening, only to find the first batch already gone—but luckily, the store was restocking on the spot.

Why All The Fuss Over A Tote Bag?

The appeal of these mini totes goes beyond their function as a simple grocery carrier. They’ve become a collectible item, thanks in part to their limited availability and the social media buzz surrounding them. For Trader Joe’s loyalists, these totes are a fun, affordable way to show off their TJ’s love, whether they’re filling them with snacks or using them as an everyday accessory.

The canvas bags come in a range of eye-catching colors, including red, green, yellow, and navy, making them both practical and stylish. Plus, they’re perfectly sized for small grocery hauls or for carrying around town, adding to their broad appeal.

Trader Joe’s New Strategies To Curb The Frenzy

To manage the overwhelming demand this time around, Trader Joe’s has implemented some measures to avoid the chaotic scenes from March. In busier stores, customers have reported per-person tote limits, and some locations have even set up designated lines for the mini totes. At select stores, the bags are being held behind the customer service desk to prevent hoarding.

In Kent, WA, one shopper noted that there’s a four-bag limit per household, with employees handing out the bags in the customer’s desired color. Some Los Angeles locations have taken it a step further by releasing allotted quantities every couple of hours to give more customers a chance to snag a bag throughout the day.

This system has worked in some areas. Natasha Fischer, the popular Instagrammer behind @traderjoeslist, shared her experience at a Los Angeles location, saying that she skipped the early morning rush and still found plenty of totes later in the day.

Resale Frenzy: A Collector’s Item?

For those who weren’t lucky enough to grab a mini tote during the September restock, it seems like the next best option is turning to resale platforms. As was the case in March, many of the mini totes are already popping up on resale sites like Facebook Marketplace—but expect to pay a premium. Prices for these $2.99 bags can soar into the hundreds, depending on demand and availability.

If you’re not willing to pay those markups, you may just have to wait until the next release and set that alarm early.

What’s Next For Trader Joe’s Mini Totes?

With such a huge demand, it’s likely that Trader Joe’s will bring the mini totes back for another round in the future. But for now, if you didn’t get your hands on one, the best advice is to keep an eye on your local store’s restocking schedule—and be ready to join the early birds next time!

Conclusion:

Trader Joe’s mini totes have quickly become a must-have item, thanks to their affordability, stylish design, and limited availability. The recent restock has once again sparked long lines and high demand, with many shoppers eagerly grabbing them as soon as stores open.

While some locations are implementing limits to ensure more customers get a chance to purchase the coveted bags, they’re already popping up on resale platforms. If you missed out, keep an eye on future restocks and plan ahead!

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