PHOENIX — The rumors and speculation are rumors no more -- Aldi is opening in Arizona.
Over the summer, after months of speculation, the discount German grocery chain finally confirmed that it would open at least four grocery stores in Arizona: Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, and Peoria.
On Monday, Aldi said that its stores in Chandler, 2844 S. Alma School Road, and Goodyear, 845 N. Estrella Parkway, would open on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Both stores will be open daily from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. A grand opening ceremony is planned for 8 a.m. at the Goodyear location.
Opening dates for the Gilbert and Peoria locations were not announced on Monday.
The Gilbert location is under construction at 1801 Pecos Road, Gilbert, AZ 85295, and the Peoria store is being built at 24665 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, AZ 85383.
At its core, Aldi is a no-frills discount grocery store. Most of its products are private label, though it does have some national name brands. It also does not have in-store coffee shops or pharmacies but does carry grocery essentials, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and cheese, dairy, deli meat, cereals, and snack foods.
Aldi charges a $0.25 deposit to rent shopping carts, which is given back when the cart is returned to its corral. Aldi also charges for bags and shoppers have to bag their own groceries, all efforts to keep costs low and reduce their operational costs.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding in the Southwest, and we take great pride in reaching this milestone as we open our first Arizona stores,” said Tom Cindel, group director of operations and logistics for ALDI, in a statement.
While Aldi has not confirmed additional locations besides the two in Gilbert and Peoria, Cindel told ABC15 in June that more locations were on the way.
The grocery chain has submitted building plans in numerous cities and towns around the Valley.
Here is what we know about the other locations that Aldi potentially has planned.
Buckeye: Back in 2018, Aldi submitted site plans to open a grocery store near Watson and Yuma Roads. That location was initially waiting on the distribution center to be built in Goodyear, said Anne DeChance, communications manager for City of Buckeye. Now, however, she said when Buckeye's store could open is unknown. "We’ve been told they are doing 5 stores this year, including one in Goodyear, and they plan another 5-7 next year. Buckeye is potentially on that list but it hasn’t been finalized yet," she said in an email. (Aldi has not officially confirmed the Buckeye location).
Gilbert: Aldi has submitted plans for two grocery store locations in Gilbert, according to Jen Harrison, spokesperson for the Town of Gilbert. Construction has begun at the 1801 Pecos Road location, which Aldi confirmed. The other location, 1225 N. Arizona Avenue, is in "plan review," she said.
Goodyear: In 2017, Aldi purchased approximately 69 acres of land near Indian School Road and Cotton Lane for a distribution warehouse and regional office, said Tammy Vo, spokesperson for City of Goodyear. Construction has not begun on that project and "that portion of the project is still a ways out," she said. In March 2020, Aldi picked up its permits for the Goodyear location at 845 N. Estrella Parkway, which is expected to open in December, according to Aldi.
Mesa: Aldi has submitted applications for permits at 2751 S. Signal Butte Road in Mesa, the city's economic development department confirmed. The design was approved with conditions by the design review board in October 2018. In December 2018, Aldi filed for a commercial building permit. There has been no activity since then, the department said.
Phoenix: Aldi has submitted plans to open two grocery stores in Phoenix. One will be located near 14th Street and Bell Road and another at 59th Avenue and Baseline Road. Angie Holdswork, a spokesperson for the City of Phoenix's Planning and Development Department, said in an email that "the applicant contacted our reviewer and is moving forward on both [projects]." The 59th Avenue location has had its building plans preliminary approved, she said. Plans for the location near 14th Street have been submitted.
Queen Creek: In 2018, Aldi submitted building plans for a grocery store to be part of the Shops at Terravella, a new shopping complex. A spokesperson for the Town said they have not received any further information from Aldi regarding that project and that construction has not started.
Scottsdale: Aldi has also signed on to open a grocery store at Papago Plaza, which is being reimagined and rebuilt, the developer told reporters at a groundbreaking ceremony last year. It is not known, however, when that location is expected to open.
Tempe: Aldi previously submitted building permits for a location in Tempe, a city spokesperson said, but those permits expired in April 2019. Aldi did submit a "tenant improvement" plan to the city related to training, but is not a large enough plan to be a training facility, despite another report, a spokesperson said.
