What’s so special about Trader Joe’s new mini totes? Aesthetics-wise, nothing: the canvas bag resembles LL Bean’s ubiquitous totes. The only difference is that these come stamped with the name of a supermarket chain known for its fancy cheeses, frozen dinners – and the fact that it’s currently one of the corporations lobbying to declare the National Labor Relations Board unconstitutional. Union drip, these are not.
Still, there are plenty of people who approach these bags with the same enthusiasm that Trader Joe’s lawyers reportedly reserve for union busting. Young women on TikTok have taken to decorating their mini Trader Joe’s totes with embroidery, patches and paint. It all looks very summer camp. CNN reported that the tote has reached a cult status not seen since … well, just a few weeks ago, when pink Stanley tumblers took the world (or at least Target shopping aisles) by storm.
