Permits and building plans involving Aldi, the no-frills German discount grocery chain, have been filed with at least seven Arizona cities and towns.
Earlier this week, we learned that Aldi started construction in Buckeye, believed to be its first store in the state. The Arizona Republic was first to report Aldi's plans.
We then reached out to different cities and towns around the state to try and gauge the scope of Aldi's plans.
Related: Is Aldi a threat to other Valley grocers? An expert weighs in
In a statement, Aldi said it was "currently exploring opportunities in Arizona, as well as several other markets," but did not confirm specific store locations.
The plans are in various stages with the cities. Some are currently only part of proposals, while others involve submitted plans and drawings. It is not known when any of the stores are expected to open.
Here are the projects we know about:
PHOENIX
Aldi has filed at least two permits with the City of Phoenix, according to Angie Holdsworth, a public information officer with the planning and development department.
One is for a location near 14th Street and Bell Road, on the southeast corner. Those building plans are currently being reviewed by the city.
The discount grocer also had a pre-application meeting regarding a location near 59th Avenue and Baseline Road, Holdsworth said.
GILBERT
Aldi has submitted a formal application and plans to build a 22,000-square-foot grocery store at 1225 N. Arizona Avenue. That is on Arizona Avenue, south of Baseline Road. Those plans are still being reviewed by the town.
TEMPE
A spokesperson for the City of Tempe said Aldi filed permits with the Development Plan Review to modify the exterior of a building near 17th Street and Southern Avenue. Those plans are still being reviewed by the city and have not yet been approved.
PEORIA
A spokesperson for the City of Peoria confirmed that Aldi is listed as one of the anchor tenants for a newly-proposed 18.6 acre, multi-use and residential complex near Lake Pleasant Parkway and Happy Valley Road.
Andrew Call with Thompson Thrift Development, the developer, confirmed Aldi had signed on to the project. However, the proposal is still going through the review and approval process with the city, so it is not yet known when the project is expected to break ground.
GOODYEAR
Aldi has plans to build a 600,000-square-foot distribution center, and a grocery store in Goodyear, according to the city.
In 2017, Aldi bought 69 acres of land near Indian School Road and Cotton Lane, just west of Loop 303, to build its distribution facility, which will also house its regional offices, according to the city.
Aldi also filed plans to rezone a three-acre parcel of land near Estrella Parkway and Roosevelt Street for a 22,000-square-foot grocery store, the city said. That rezoning request goes before the city council on April 23.
GLENDALE
The City of Glendale confirmed that Aldi submitted construction plans for a 22,000-square-foot grocery store in a shopping center near 59th Avenue and Bell Road.
Those plans are being reviewed by the city.
QUEEN CREEK
A spokesperson for the Town of Queen Creek said Aldi is listed as the main anchor for The Shops at Terravella, a proposed shopping center and residential complex near Ellsworth and Queen Creek roads.
The proposal is still in the planning phase and being reviewed by the town council.
NO PLANS SUBMITTED
We reached out to the cities of Flagstaff, Tucson, Chandler, Casa Grande, Scottsdale, El Mirage and Apache Junction, who all said no permits or plans from Aldi had been filed with them.
A spokesperson for Flagstaff said it "met with Aldi representatives at a trade show last year and [expressed] our interest that they choose Flagstaff for one of their new stores."
HOW IS ALDI DIFFERENT?
Aldi does not have a coffee shop, check cashing, or a pharmacy. Customers bag their own items with their own reusable bags, and carts can be rented for a quarter, which you get back when the cart is returned.
Ninety-percent of its items are not name brands. Aldi says all of this helps pass along savings to the customer.
