CATERING TO DIFFERENT TASTES UPSCALE COOKS CROWD NEW STORE.

Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Opening-day shoppers packed Trader Joe's specialty grocery store, which city officials view as sign that Palmdale has matured enough to attract upscale retailers.

Scores of people waited in the cold Monday morning outside the Southern California-based chain's newest store for a ceremonial ribbon cutting, and more arrived after the store officially opened its doors to the public.

``We're excited about having it here,'' said Palmdale resident Tabbie Brown, one of the early shoppers.

She and her daughter had been traveling more than 35 miles to the Trader Joe's in Santa Clarita, where they had repeatedly told workers that the chain needed an Antelope Valley store.

``Every time we're there, me and my mom tell them: You've got to get one in Palmdale,'' said Kira Brown.

Mayor Jim Ledford joined in the welcoming ceremony.

``It's a pretty exciting moment. We have finally arrived,'' Ledford said.

Trader Joe's consistently ranked No. 1 when Palmdale residents were polled about retailers they most wanted to come to their community, the mayor said.

``For nine years, we've been lobbying Trader Joe's to bring a store to Palmdale,'' Ledford said.

Trader Joe's 12,000-square-foot store opened in the new Amargosa Commons shopping center on 10th Street West south of Rancho Vista Boulevard.

The Amargosa Commons is being developed by Century City-based Grae Ventures LLC and Palmdale-based Sierra Development Co., which was involved in the development of the Palmdale Promenade shopping center and the Marriott hotel complex.

The openings of Trader Joe's on Monday and the Panera Bread bakery and cafe Wednesday will complete the lineup of major tenants for the 18-acre shopping center. Other stores already open include Circuit City, Dress Barn, Petsmart, Shoe Pavilion, T.J. Maxx and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Also planned are a Rubio's Mexican restaurant, a dental office and a Washington Mutual bank branch.

Charles F. Bostwick, [phone]

chuck.bostwick(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Artwork unique to Trader Joe's decorates the chain's new store that opened Monday in Palmdale. A crowd was lined up for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

(2 -- color) The first-day shoppers just keep coming Monday to Trader Joe's in the new Amargosa Commons shopping center.

(3 -- color) The aisles were instantly full of shoppers buying food and wine Monday when a Trader Joe's opened in Palmdale.

(4) Polls of residents had shown a Trader Joe's would be welcome in Palmdale, and first-day shoppers confirm it Monday.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News