2024-05-07T17:57:42-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/149936216/tiny-parking-lots-big-cost-savings Julia Ingalls 2016-03-23T17:43:00-04:00 >2016-04-08T00:41:28-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/90/90tq5hfh2z29fpe5.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>Everyone loves the free samples, kitschy items, and affordable price points of SoCal grocer Trader Joe&rsquo;s. The one thing that does spark ire about the chain is the small parking lots, which produce equal amounts of anxiety and horn abuse. But the website Strong Towns points out that TJ&rsquo;s small footprints trickle down to cheaper prices for consumers.</p></em><br /><br /><p>If you're not within walking distance of a TJ's (or, if you're just lazy) parking in one of the lots requires the steady nerves of a Zen master and the spatial dexterity of an architect. Whatever method you use to get there, just don't forget your bag, or all of your kitschy sustainability cred will be erased.</p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/fx/fx7ova5z123qlngg.jpg"></p><p>Did you know: grocery stores aren't just great backdrops for Jane's Addiction videos (pictured above). For the best in grocery store design discussion:</p><ul><li><a href="http://archinect.com/forum/thread/22590/music-for-grocery-stores" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Music For Grocery Stores</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/ManuelMorelli/project/transforming-a-garage-into-a-grocery-store" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Transforming a Garage into a Grocery Store</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/138879113/an-environmental-psychologist-on-why-boring-design-is-bad-for-your-health" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An environmental psychologist on why boring design is bad for your health</a></li></ul>