[essentia]

As a long-time shopper of TJ's, I must give them snaps for constantly upgrading their product quality and broading their range of suppliers.

Occasionally, though, they drop a product that you just really hate to see go. One of the wonderful non-store label products I was thrilled to see TJs carry is Better For Bullion. TJ's sold it for $2.99 a jar, about 50% off the regular price at my local Freddies (Fred Meyer) or Safeway.

Last night, I checked again the soup/broth aisle (again!) for B4B, and finally asked an employee whether they sold any type of bullion? He said, "You mean, Better For Bullion? It's been discontinued."

I said, "The product has been discontinued, or Trader Joe's has stopped carrying it?" He explained that TJ's has discontinued carrying it, but -- noticing my frown -- that a lot of customers in this particular store were unhappy to see it gone from the shelves, and that he'd say something to his manager.

I'm definitely going to follow up with a comment card next time I shop.

Here's a question, though: Anyone know whether individual stores have much say over which national brand products to carry?