Lileks writes about his trip to Trader Joe's:

I bought some sauces, including a pasta sauce that turned out to be too brackish for my tastes, and a bottle of three-buck Chuck

I could swear that just last year, on my many trips to CA, it was still two-buck Chuck. When did it go up, and why by fifty percent? I know, it's only a buck, but still.

[Update in the afternoon]

And speaking of Trader Joe's, when are they going to start opening stores in south Florida? I'd think there'd be a huge market for them in Boca. I wonder if it has something to do with the state liquor regs? Looking at their site, it appears that the closest one is in Georgia.

$2.99 -- still 2 buck chuck.

No, the wine that I called two-buck Chuck was $1.99.

As of this week, it still is $1.99 in CA. I'm guessing Lileks is paying more shipping or ethanol tax.

I'm guessing Lileks is paying more shipping or ethanol tax.

Yeah, that would probably explain it. Considering he's in Minnesota, it's probably a combination of the two.

As Andrew said, prices vary by state - it's always been $2.99 here in Oregon, too.

It's always been $2.99 in AZ, $1.99 in CA. Shipping costs extra.

"I wonder if it has something to do with the state liquor regs?"

I doubt id that is the reason. There are multiple TJs in Maryland that sell no alchohol due to our arcane state laws that limit beer, wine and liquor to licensed liquor stores only. I have to go to Northern Virginia for my 3-buck Chuck.

I guess its a better system than some states that have state-run liquor stores, but it would be nice to be able to buy a 6 pack or bottle of wine when grocery shopping!