Trio Of Popular Businesses, Including Grocery Store, Eye New Guilford Mixed-Use Development

GUILFORD, CT — A trio of popular businesses, including a grocery store, could soon be part of the new Guilford Village West development.

Robert Sachs of Cherry Hill Construction, the developer of the project, confirmed with Patch late Thursday afternoon that Starbucks, Chipotle and Aldi Supermarket are "either signed or very close to signing and finalizing leases."

A real estate listing for the new Guilford Village West development sparked speculation this week on the tenants for the project, which is already under construction.

The listing from JAZ Brokerage for up to 4,230 square feet of space at the development at 1940 Boston Post Road notes co-tenants as Chipotle and Starbucks, with Aldi serving as an anchor for the project.

Along with commercial space, 162 apartments are proposed to be built as part of the development.

Zach Korris from JAZ Brokerage did not return a message this week seeking comment on the listing.

Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey told Patch Wednesday that he hadn't heard any formal announcement about tenants for the development, but he was told "Aldi is among those being considered, if not already committed to coming in there."

Chris Daniels, regional vice president for Aldi, told Patch via email this week the company did not have any information to share on a supermarket coming to Guilford, but would reach out if there are future updates.

Hoey said Aldi would add to plentiful grocery options already available in Guilford along the Route 1 corridor. He mentioned Big Y at 830 Boston Post Road, Bishop's Orchards Farm Market that's open year-round at 1355 Boston Post Road, and Fresh Market at 1919 Boston Post Road.

"Aldi is a different type of grocery store than the other three I mentioned. If they are in fact coming here, we wish them well and we welcome them, just like we've welcomed everyone else," Hoey added.

Aldi's website says the Albrecht family founded the world's first discount grocery store in Germany in 1961 and opened the first Aldi store in Iowa in 1977.

There are now more than 2,400 stores across 38 states, with Aldi's headquarters in Batavia, Ill.

Aldi currently has Connecticut stores in: Branford; Bristol; Canton; Danbury; Dayville; Derby; East Hartford; Enfield; Fairfield; Groton; Hamden; Lisbon; Meriden; Middletown; Milford; Monroe; New Britain; New Haven; New Milford; Newington; North Windham; Plainville; Rocky Hill; South Windsor; Southington; Torrington; Vernon; Wallingford; Waterbury; Waterford; West Hartford; West Haven.

Vertical construction at the Guilford Village West site is anticipated to begin this spring, according to Sachs.

The retail portion of the development should be completed in 2027, Sachs said. The residential side is expected to be open for occupancy in spring 2027, with work completed a year later.