The Aldi store on Pike Street in Marietta is undergoing a face lift and expansion that will be celebrated with a grand re-opening in mid-November.
"Over the years our product line has expanded trying to meet the needs of customers," said Russ White, Aldi's director of real estate. "Our old facility size is not sufficient to service our customers in an appropriate manner."
Today's Aldi prototype stores are bigger than those opened in 1995, which is when the Marietta store opened.
Article Photos
SHARON BOPP The Marietta Times
An Aldi staffer straightens shelves in the Aldi store in Marietta Friday. The store is undergoing an expansion that will be completed in mid-November.
"We're bringing up the Marietta store to a size more uniform to our current standard prototypical store," noted White.
Currently, the Marietta Aldi store is about 13,000 square feet. After the expansion, the store will be about 15,500 square feet.
The larger square footage will permit a more prominent display of some Aldi products that have not been given shelf space.
Fact Box
About Aldi:
Aldi made its U.S. debut in 1976, with a few locations in southeastern Iowa. Now, Aldi has more than 1,200 stores in 32 states.
Aldi is a German-based discount supermarket chain. The word "Aldi" is short for "Albrecht Discount."
Aldi was originally owned and managed by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht.
In the United States, Aldi Nord is the parent company of food store Trader Joe's.
"We'll be adding another aisle (so) all refrigeration will be able to expand to meet our full product line," said White.
The store's ceiling will also be removed to give an open concept.
"The store will be easier to shop, to navigate and, frankly, it will be easier to find products because they will be given appropriate shelving," noted White.
As part of the construction, the east wall of the Aldi store will be expanded toward Walmart.
On the exterior, the facade will be modernized and the current tower will feature a "more modern updated canopy." The Aldi logo will be featured prominently on the front of the store. In addition, Aldi's "Food Market" signage, added to the prototypical Aldi building about five years ago, will be incorporated on the facade.
"It will be a fresh, new shopping experience," said White.
The Marietta Aldi store is already undergoing early construction but remains open.
On Oct. 6, the store will close and will remain closed until the store's November grand re-opening.
"We'd like to request that customers go to the Vienna store while (the Marietta) store is closed," said White.
Marietta city councilman Mike McCauley D-2nd ward, said he thinks the Aldi expansion is good for the economy.
"Aldi has been a good partner with the city of Marietta," McCauley said.
Andy Coleman, development director for the city of Marietta, believes an expanded Aldi in Marietta will benefit the community as a whole.
"Not only (does it) have potential for job growth and more offerings for our citizens, ...I think it's a perfect example of the upswing that we're starting to experience and expect to see further of," said Coleman.
