They’re the bags that broke the internet—and bank accounts. Trader Joe’s mini totes are officially making a comeback this fall, and if history repeats itself, you’ll want to sprint. The last time these tiny canvas bags hit stores, they sold out instantly and were being resold online for nearly $1,900.
Trader Joe’s confirmed to USA Today that a fresh batch of the viral totes will drop in stores this fall. This time around, shoppers can expect new shades—black, orange, purple, and multicolored—a festive fall spin on last April’s pastel collection. And yes, they’ll still be just $2.99 each.
When exactly you can expect them on your local store’s shelves, however, remains a mystery. For now, you can grab the cult-followed chain’s mini insulated totes (currently available in peach and blue) for $3.99, but the buzz is all about the return of the OG mini canvas bags.
If you’re wondering whether the hype is real, just ask anyone who tried to get their hands on one last spring.
Lines wrapped around blocks, shoppers cleaned out shelves in minutes, and those lucky enough to snag a bag flipped them on resale sites for upwards of $1K, which is basically rent money. Things got so wild that Trader Joe’s employees had to limit how many customers could buy at once.
TJ’s representative Nakia Rohde told reporters at the time:
The mini canvas tote bags certainly sold more quickly than we anticipated. Before we had the opportunity to promote them in any way, customers across the country found them at their neighborhood Trader Joe’s.
So consider this your warning: if you’ve got your eye on 13″ x 11″ x 6″ worth of cotton-polyester glory, keep your eyes peeled! The Trader Joe’s mini tote mania is about to begin again—and NYC might just be the toughest battleground of all.
Pro tip: maybe avoid this one specific NYC location, which is the world’s busiest Trader Joe’s.
NYC Trader Joe’s Locations
If you’re in New York City, here’s where the rush will happen:
Manhattan
- 72nd & Broadway – 2073 Broadway
- Chelsea – 675 6th Ave
- East Village – 436 East 14th St.
- Essex Crossing – 400 Grand Street (Cellar)
- Harlem – 123 W 125th St.
- Murray Hill – 200 E 32nd St.
- SoHo – 233 Spring St.
- Union Square – 142 E 14th St.
- Upper East Side – 405 E. 59th St.
- Upper West Side – 670 Columbus Ave
Queens
- Forest Hills – 69-65 Yellowstone Blvd
- Long Island City – 22-43 Jackson Ave
- Rego Park – 9030 Metropolitan Ave
Brooklyn
- City Point – 445 Gold St.
- Williamsburg – 200 Kent Ave
- Brooklyn – 130 Court St.
Staten Island
- South Shore – 6400 Amboy Rd.
- Staten Island – 2385 Richmond Ave
And don’t forget there’s a Trader Joe’s Pronto store—a grab-pay-and-go concept that allows shoppers to grab things they need in a hurry—at the former Trader Joe’s wine store in Union Square!