Just a little over a week ago, we found out that a California-based grocery store chain was purchasing the Arizona-owned Lee Lee International Supermarkets. This week, another out-of-town grocer recognizes Tucson as a desirable market to move into.
ALDI, a German discount supermarket chain, will open its first store at Tucson Marketplace at The Bridges — a 2.05-acre piece of land at 871 E. Tucson Marketplace.
The 20,870-square-foot store is smaller than most chain grocery stores we’re used to. For example, many supermarkets have up to 40,000 items and ALDI stores carry less than 2,000. Instead of dozens of aisles, ALDI usually only has five.
The chain grocery store also claims to offer shoppers the “lowest possible prices.”
“We like to think of ourselves as an ally for our customers in better-for-you shopping and living.”
Okay, I’m going to vent for a moment — hear me out.
One of the things that irks me the most about the grocery store experience is when folks don’t put their shopping carts into the “cart corral” on their way out. I mean, sometimes the shopping cart is left a parking spot or two away from the cart corral. One big gust of wind and those carts are zippin’ around the lot. Okay, I’m done.
I’m bringing this up because Aldi has a unique shopping cart distribution program. To grab a shopping cart, you’ll need to toss a quarter into the machine. This unlocks the cart and then once you’re finished shopping, simply park the cart into the corral and a quarter will spit out. This temporary deposit helps keep their “parking lots clean.”
Sign me up! Can I borrow a quarter, though?
The company already operates Arizona stores out of Phoenix, Goodyear, Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek. In total, ALDI runs more than 2,362 stores in 39 states and 1,619 cities.
There still isn’t an official grand opening date.
For more information, visit stores.aldi.us.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
