Trader Joe’s has hired Mid-America brokers to find five new store locations in and around Chicago — including two downtown (near north and near south) and Evanston and Oak Park.

Meanwhile, their expansion into the city has changed the market for specialty foods in north side neighborhoods. It’s true: I’ve probably cut back purchases at Dubby’s and Taste in the past few months; the lower prices at TJ’s are unmistakably appealing. The quality is acceptable, as well; I’m willing to buy $5 bottles of wine since most bottles I buy go right to parties (where no one cares) or into sauces. Not that I don’t feel bad about it, though:

‘”What is amazing to me is that people are not more dedicated to small businesses,” [Valerie] Grimbau [of Dubby’s] said. “The public doesn’t get that by supporting small businesses, they’re helping themselves.”‘

[FCG has a great list of specialty food shops.]