Like it or not, it's here to stay.

I'm not talking about the Lake Highlands Town Center – more on that in a minute.

I'm referring to social media.

And I'm certainly not saying anything that hasn't been said before.

Facebook officially hit the 500,000,000 member mark (as in half a billion) last year.

Twitter reported 175 million users in March of this year, and LinkedIn now claims 100 million members worldwide.

So when you have a goal in mind, no matter what that goal may be, you really can't rule out the power and reach of social media.

That seems to be the idea behind the newly created, LHTC is the perfect place for Trader Joe's Facebook page.

Since Friday's article, LHTC: Let's think outside the Big Box, we've received comments, likes, texts, tweets & emails.

(Phone calls are so passe, but we received a few of those, too.)

Readers, community members and local leaders were pretty excited about the idea that two specialty grocers might exist in harmony in the new town center space.

Several of them offered to help with ideas that included social media marketing efforts, flash mob events and other viral endeavors aimed at courting the execs from Trader Joe's.

For a company that touts its low-key ads that use "real crew members telling real stories about real Trader Joe's products," this social media avenue may be just the ticket for gaining the attention and momentum volunteers and organizers are hoping for.

"We need to immediately make our collective voice heard," said local resident and volunteer Robin Norcross, late yesterday afternoon.

"Facebook is one of the most efficient ways to do this."

"Please ask everyone you know to 'like' this new page."

One fan on Facebook also posted a link to the Trader Joe's website, where customers and fans can suggest new locations for the specialty grocer.

You'll find that contact page here.

This electronic location request is something everyone can point, click and submit – whether you're a fan of Facebook or not.

Nonusers aside, with a "like" count of 250 and growing as of yesterday evening (the page's first 24 hours in existence has yet to hit), this newly created Facebook page is evidence of anything but hesitancy.

Is this one bandwagon worth jumping on? Odds are you'll find a few friends already waiting for you.

So check out the viral tools below.

Send a link, share a tweet – and watch the homepage for more ways you can get involved soon!

---

Facebook: LHTC is the perfect place for Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's: Location Request Form

Facebook: Lake Highlands Today

Twitter: LH Today

Photo credit: Prescott Realty, Lake Highlands Town Center website