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ALDI plans to build in Lehigh

By Staff | Nov 25, 2015

ALDI logo

It is official – owners and developers of one of the world’s largest food market chains are planning to open a store in Lehigh Acres.

They have gone before the Lehigh Acres Architectural Planning & Zoning Review Board with 11 pages of plans that include site plans and other information pertaining to the market, known as ALDI.

It is to be located at 2803 Lee Blvd. on land owned by a church.

Developers of ALDI came up with a $150 fee to discuss their future plans with the architectural board, headed by Greg Disiero.

ALDI has its worldwide headquarters in Germany, with American headquarters in Illinois, and developers say the food market is looking at Southwest Florida to expand.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Rendering of ALDI planned for 2803 Lee Blvd.

ALDI entered the South Florida market in 2010 but a store in Naples is its first in Southwest Florida.

Edward McDonald, of the Thomas Engineering Group, presented information to the local board for approval. A hearing examiner in Fort Myers is expected to give its approval to the Lee County Commission.

Seeking the site approval is Jeff Williams, director of real estate for a firm in West Palm Beach.

The plans are for the construction of a 18,539-square-foot building, along with the associated stormwater and utility infrastructure, according to the documents.

ALDI has a reputation for selling groceries at low prices and claims its prices are lower than Walmart. Officials claim their stores are smaller and tend to hire less employees, but start their pay higher than minimum wage.

Officials said they keep costs to a minimum because more than 90 percent of products sold in store are ALDI-exclusive brands. There are more than 1,400 stores in the U.S. with more planned each week.

There is no pharmacy, bakery, butcher or deli departments. They do not employ baggers, so customers must buy paper bags or bring their own bags and boxes. The charge is 5 cents paper bags and 10 cents for plastic bags.

Customers also “rent” shopping carts for a quarter. The money is refunded when the cart is returned to the outdoor vending system.

The company said it saves on overhead costs by not having employees collecting stray carts from the parking lot.

Checks and credit cards are not accepted for payment, nor is the Women, Infants and Children program, according to a news release. ALDI stores accept cash, debit cards and EBT cards.

There are few employees and no listed telephone number, according to the release. With fewer employees, the staff spends time serving customers or restocking shelves.

There are more than 10,000 stores around the world, according to a website.

Once accepted by the hearing examiner and the county commissioners, no date for the start of construction has been announced.

ALDI plans to open 650 new stores in the U.S., increasing its number to nearly 2,000 by 2019, the company said. It now operates about 1,400 stores in 32 states.

ALDI plans to build in Lehigh

By Staff | Nov 25, 2015

ALDI logo

It is official – owners and developers of one of the world’s largest food market chains are planning to open a store in Lehigh Acres.

They have gone before the Lehigh Acres Architectural Planning & Zoning Review Board with 11 pages of plans that include site plans and other information pertaining to the market, known as ALDI.

It is to be located at 2803 Lee Blvd. on land owned by a church.

Developers of ALDI came up with a $150 fee to discuss their future plans with the architectural board, headed by Greg Disiero.

ALDI has its worldwide headquarters in Germany, with American headquarters in Illinois, and developers say the food market is looking at Southwest Florida to expand.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Rendering of ALDI planned for 2803 Lee Blvd.

ALDI entered the South Florida market in 2010 but a store in Naples is its first in Southwest Florida.

Edward McDonald, of the Thomas Engineering Group, presented information to the local board for approval. A hearing examiner in Fort Myers is expected to give its approval to the Lee County Commission.

Seeking the site approval is Jeff Williams, director of real estate for a firm in West Palm Beach.

The plans are for the construction of a 18,539-square-foot building, along with the associated stormwater and utility infrastructure, according to the documents.

ALDI has a reputation for selling groceries at low prices and claims its prices are lower than Walmart. Officials claim their stores are smaller and tend to hire less employees, but start their pay higher than minimum wage.

Officials said they keep costs to a minimum because more than 90 percent of products sold in store are ALDI-exclusive brands. There are more than 1,400 stores in the U.S. with more planned each week.

There is no pharmacy, bakery, butcher or deli departments. They do not employ baggers, so customers must buy paper bags or bring their own bags and boxes. The charge is 5 cents paper bags and 10 cents for plastic bags.

Customers also “rent” shopping carts for a quarter. The money is refunded when the cart is returned to the outdoor vending system.

The company said it saves on overhead costs by not having employees collecting stray carts from the parking lot.

Checks and credit cards are not accepted for payment, nor is the Women, Infants and Children program, according to a news release. ALDI stores accept cash, debit cards and EBT cards.

There are few employees and no listed telephone number, according to the release. With fewer employees, the staff spends time serving customers or restocking shelves.

There are more than 10,000 stores around the world, according to a website.

Once accepted by the hearing examiner and the county commissioners, no date for the start of construction has been announced.

ALDI plans to open 650 new stores in the U.S., increasing its number to nearly 2,000 by 2019, the company said. It now operates about 1,400 stores in 32 states.