Captain (store manager) Scott Gundlach and First Mate (assistant store manager) Michael Lester will be opening the doors of the new Ballard Trader Joe’s at 9 a.m. Friday, March 6.

Gundlach said there have already been plenty of people stopping by and calling, and they are expecting a big turnout opening day.

“It should be a lot of fun,” he said. “The first day should have a lot of excitement.”

“For the grand opening we’re not going to open the doors and just have everyone come in,” Lester said. “We’ll have a lei cutting, we’re going to have the Seafair pirates come down and entertain for a few hours, and there’s giong to be some other musical entertainment. We’re going to make a whole day of it in celebration.”

The new store will combine Trader Joe’s traditional Hawaiian decor with art that celebrates Ballard’s rich seaside heritage.

A hand painted mural in the store incorporates Ballard landmarks, such as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Shilshole Bay Marina, Fishermen’s Terminal, a statue of Leif Erickson at Shilshole Bay Marina, the Ballard Bridge and the Railroad Bridge at the Locks.

Though Trader Joe’s is a national chain, Gundlach said approximately 80 percent of the new store’s workers are Ballardites.

Ballard seems like a great neighborhood for a Trader Joe’s because it is situated between the Queen Anne and University District locations, he said.

“It seems like there was a lot of interest from the neighborhood,” Lester said. “When there are interested customers, we respond as best as we can.”

The new 12,000 square-foot store is located at 4609 14th Ave. N.W., at the northwest corner of 14th Avenue and Ballard Way.