Bel Air Plaza Announces New Additions to Shopping Center

BEL AIR, MD — When ALDI opens on Thursday, it is not the only change afoot at the Bel Air Plaza shopping center. Hill Management Services, which owns the center, announced two other developments in the mix.

In addition to the grocer, Bel Air Plaza will gain a new pet food store and an expanded children's store.

Jen-Nic Pet Foods has signed a lease at the shopping center on US 1 at MD 24.

Catering to both cats and dogs, the shop will sell organic products and items up to standards humans would expect of their own food.

Owner Michael Downey said the offerings were "gourmet-style" and would "match our philosophy that encourages owners to know what their pets are eating."

Downey named the store — Jen-Nic Pet Foods — after his daughters Jennifer and Nicole.

Speaking of family, Bel Air Plaza management announced the expansion of a separate store specializing in baby products, maternity apparel and toys; Kid 2 Kid is reportedly growing, located next to Ross.

Physically, the largest change in the shopping center is the opening of the 20,000-square-foot grocery store ALDI on Thursday. The German-based grocer will fill the vacancy where Mars used to be until it closed in 2015.

This will be the third ALDI in Harford County, where there is one off Business Center Way in Edgewood and another off South Philadelphia Road in Aberdeen.

Related: Bel Air ALDI to Open This Week

“MD Route 24 continues to flourish as the most significant retail corridor servicing residents and businesses in Bel Air and throughout Harford County...” Vice President of Hill Management Services Danielle Beyrodt said in a statement Tuesday. "Each of these new tenants represent destination retailers, which will generate unique visitor traffic to the center. Their presence will benefit the entire tenant mix.”

Submitted photo.