Trader Joe’s is constantly showing up on my FYP. Of course, during fall, the store is all about pumpkin spiced everything, from coffee and teas to ice cream, cakes, and even cream cheese. Then, the holidays usher in beloved tins of Jingle Jangle, Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s boxes, and Danish Almond Kringle packages. However, in March, Trader Joe’s released, perhaps, its most viral product: the mini canvas tote bag. The $2.99 mini totes — which come in navy, yellow, red, and green — have been flying off the shelves in stores nationwide and causing a lot of commotion. Tote bag lovers lined up outside their local Trader Joe’s with some documenting on TikTok their struggles to obtain the viral item. Multiple videos showcased swarms of people reaching the tote bag display.
This hype also happened around their viral mini cooler totes. These small insulated totes cost $3.99 each. Fortunately, a restock of those bags is coming in October, per @traderjoesobsessed. They will be available in red and green for the holiday season.
If you missed out on the mini tote bags and regret not waking up early for that launch (I know I am), don’t worry the cute mini totes will be back!
When will the Trader Joe’s mini totes be back?
The Trader Joe’s mini tote bags sold out immediately, and like many viral items, were seen on eBay shortly after. Some totes are currently priced at $10, while others are priced at $150 per set — remember these totes are originally $2.99.
No need to impulsively buy from eBay, though, these sold-out items will be returning to a Trader Joe’s near you. A Trader Joe’s representative told People in March that customers can expect to see the totes in stores around late summer. Now it’s confirmed that the mini totes will be back in stores on September 18 on social media. Users who showed up at the store reported being restricted to only buying four totes—one in each color. According to Reddit, some stores still had totes available on September 19, as well. You can call your local Trader Joe’s to inquire about stock and possible restocks.
Those who managed to get their hands on the mini tote (or several of them) let their creativity soar. The minis — which measure 13 inches long, 11 inches tall, and 6 inches wide — were made for smaller shopping trips in mind and “to pick up those few items you forgot the first time around,” according to Trader Joe’s website.
Many TikTok users have used their bags as more than just a grocery tote, using them as an everyday tote or a bag to carry their cute pets around. Others went further with decorating their totes with pins, adding paint, tie-dying, and embroidering their totes.