Money Trader Joe’s founder Joe Coulombe, who started one of America’s favorite grocery stores, dies at 89 February 29, 2020 Charisse Jones, USA TODAY Comments Off on Trader Joe’s founder Joe Coulombe, who started one of America’s favorite grocery stores, dies at 89 Joe Coulombe, who founded Trader Joe's, the popular grocery known for "Two Buck Chuck" wine and trendy items, died Friday at his California home.