Several hundred eager shoppers turned out on May 30 as the discount supermarket chain ALDI celebrated the Grand Opening of their store in La Grange Park.
Marty Wallace, manager of the new store at 333 N. La Grange Road, cut the ribbon just after 8:30 a.m., flanked by ALDI staff and local dignitaries gathered at the new store.
“We’re so grateful that ALDI has chosen La Grange Park as one of their homes,” Village President Dr. James Discipio said just before the ribbon-cutting. “It brings quality shopping to our residents, and as you can see from the lineup here and people who have attended this event so far, they’re all excited and we’re so grateful … seeing what we’ve created along this La Grange Park strip, with Andy’s and the Dollar Store, it’s just a remarkable thing.”
The new store sits in the heart of the Village Market shopping district. The property sat empty since the last movie rental business closed in the early part of the last decade.
Discipio marveled at the turnout for the opening, noting that some the people had been waiting as early as 6 a.m.
Indeed, the crowd stretched from the front door around the building as customers, the first hundred in line getting a gift bag containing a sampling of ALDI’s most popular products and a gift card. Shoppers could also enter a sweepstakes the weekend of the Grand Opening giving them a chance to win a $500 ALDI Gift Card.
While Wallace and his staff were too busy with the crowd and all the festivities to field questions, an email from ALDI’s Regional Vice President Heather McCarthy provided context on the day.
McCarthy said the new store “is approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space, making it much easier to navigate than traditional grocery stores. We currently operate over 2,300 stores across the nation, and this new store is our 217th store in the state of Illinois.”
The news release also said ALDI operated under an “intentionally different business model,” to provide lower costs to the shopper, and McCarthy’s communication expanded on that point.
“We always look for opportunities to pass savings on to our customers, from displaying our products in the boxes they arrive in, to our quarter cart system. To minimize our transportation costs and environmental impact, we feature local produce when in season throughout our network of stores, and carry a broad organic range representing 15 % of our total produce range.”
Indeed, the quality of ALDI’s produce was mentioned by several customers.
Judy Jesswein, an ALDI patron for 30 years, said “Their produce is wonderful, especially early in the day. They have the best produce for the best pricing. I go to Hodgkins all the time.”
Jesswein attended with her friend Rachel Harris, who normally patronizes the Downers Grove ALDI, and minced no words when describing her shopping there.
“God, the prices, the people, the aisle of shame, and they have the merchandise, too” Harris said. “It’s a great find for people on a budget.” (ALDI’s “aisle of shame” changes weekly and includes goods that have nothing to do with food, including household decor and kitchen gadgets).
When asked about their favorite part of ALDI, sisters Veronica and Elena Acevedo agreed, both saying that “the produce” was their favorite section, Veronica adding “The prices, too.”
In addition to Discipio, several La Grange Park officials were on hand, including Village Manager Julia Cedillo, Deputy Village Manager Maggie Jarr, and Trustees Mike Sheehan, Joe Caputo, and Bob Lautner.
“These are exciting times in La Grange Park,” Sheehan said. “This opening is the result of a lot of work by our staff, President Discipio, the Board of Trustees, and the Aldi/Woodman team. It’s been a great partnership and I look forward to the store’s success.”
Lautner agreed.
“We’re all very excited with the presence of a high-quality retailer in our community, someone with the recognition of ALDI is a positive contribution of what we’re trying to accomplish with the Village,” he said.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
