ALDI Grocery Store Proposes Expansion, Renovation, Lot Improvements

The ALDI grocery store planned for Del Ray, taking over space currently occupied by Giant at 525 E. Monroe Ave., has laid out some plans for the property, in paperwork filed with the City.

In addition to a major renovation of the building, the company also is hoping to:

• Enclose an existing overhang (adding 1,666 square feet)
• Restripe the parking lot to add a few more parking spaces from 98 to 111
• Relocating cart corral back 6 feet on parking lot side of the door
• Replacing steps heading to alley
• Providing a 7-foot wide concrete sidewalk along Monroe Avenue (curb to curb, from street to parking lot for the frontage between entrance and exit
• Replacing the fence along the alley
• Providing bike racks

ALDI is actually requesting a parking reduction from 141 spaces required, because of the additional space it would be adding to the store by enclosing the overhang. A parking study shows that current parking is adequate.

The proposed hours for the grocery store are:

• Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The ALDI grocery chain store is known for offering discounts. Most (90 percent) of the brands in the store are ALDI brands. Another way it keeps costs down is by not accepting credit cards; the grocery store explains that by not accepting them, the store does not pass along the fees to customers.

Another no-frills experience that keeps costs down: You’ll bag your own groceries and pay a quarter to “rent” a shopping cart (you’ll get your quarter back when you return the cart) — more savings for customers since the store doesn’t have to pay anyone to go hunt down shopping carts in the parking lot.

You’ll also see cost savings by bringing your own shopping bag (if you don’t bring your own, they’ll charge you for their long-lasting bags).

ALDI has its roots in Germany (ALDI is short for Albrecht Discount). In Germany, almost 90 percent of Germans shop there, according to an article in Slate.

The store has about a dozen locations in Northern Virginia. The Chantilly store that opened two years ago has no frills: No music, no bank and no pharmacy. (Read Yelp reviews of the Chantilly store here.)

Also read:

• Low-Priced Grocer Coming to Alexandria
• New Grocery Store in the Works to Replace Giant on Monroe Avenue
• Mango Mike’s Building to Be Demolished for ALDI Grocery Store
• Alexandria Grocery Store Will Close After 64 Years
• Magruders Closing All Locations
• New Grocery Store Jammed on Opening Day at Bradlee
• New Bradlee Area Safeway Grand Opening Set
• Harris Teeter in North Old Town to Open in October
• Harris Teeter to Open Across from TGIFridays
• Opening Date Set for Wegmans at Hilltop Village Shopping Center

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