Aldi - the new tenant where Office Depot once stood - Coming soon to Palmetto Bay

Some Palmetto Bay residents have asked as to the new tenant that is taking over the space next to Lots of Lox vacated by Office Depot.  Construction is ongoing.  (on the corner of Coral Reef Drive and South Dixie Highway). The sign (pictured at right) indicates that an Aldi is ‘coming soon.’ Here is what my research reveals: First, the ALDI Official HOME PAGE.

then, some articles, beginning with the New York Times, Business Day section: Where Wal-Mart Failed, Aldi Succeeds, by Stephanie Clifford, March 29, 2011. It appears that Aldi has quietly been setting up its shops in cities around the country. The article gives some insight on this company, indicating that Aldi first came to the United States in 1976, but it opened a relatively small number of stores a year — 25 or so on average. But has accelerated the expansion through adding more than 250 stores, with plans for 80 more both in 2011 and 2012.

Read this article for the information that appears to still be relevant (It is a 2011 article).

The article goes on to discuss that this chain:

“They’re not only doing the small format more rapidly, but they’re getting into the urban areas more rapidly than either Wal-Mart Express or the city Targets,” said Craig Johnson, president of the consulting firm Customer Growth Partners. “Even though the company’s headquartered in Germany, they’ve opened up a New York store quicker than Wal-Mart has.”

“There’s no reason to oppose an Aldi — it’s a small format, and they usually get space from an existing landowner or landlord, a small guy who’s plugged into the community, not a big guy like a Forest City Ratner,” Mr. Johnson said. “Wal-Mart has sort of become a bad guy that there’s a concerted effort against. I’m not sure that Aldi has really gotten on anyone’s radar screen.”

The company capitalizes on the bargain hunter, who is not embarrassed to choose frugality over name brands. Aldi’s mainly sells its own private-label items at cheap prices — a five-ounce bacon-wrapped beef filet costs $1.79 at the Queens store.

Also see Browbeat, December 2, 2013, Trader Joe Has a Brother. He’s Even Better, by Rebecca Schuman. This article discusses how this chain is a close relative of Trader Joe's, specifically discussing what we may soon see here in Palmetto Bay:

Chances are that you have never set foot inside the best grocery store in America: Aldi. And even if you are lucky enough to be in one of the 32 states where Aldi is, perhaps you were put-off by the cardboard boxes in lieu of shelves, or the row upon row of suspicious-looking off-brands. What is this place? Why do I have to put down a deposit to check out a cart? What is the weird giant shelf by the exit? And what do you mean, I have to pay for a bag?

Calm your hormones, meine Schatzis: Aldi, which is short for Albrecht Discount, is the American incarnation of a German grocery chain that is so ubiquitous in the Vaterland that almost 90 percent of Germans shop there. ….

Want to follow Aldi?  If so, you can CLICK HERE to view (and 'like' if you are so predisposed) the ALDI Facebook page.  It also appears that ALDI will provide 75 full time jobs here at their soon-to-open Palmetto Bay location.

So we will wait and see what our new store in Palmetto Bay has to offer.  Perhaps any readers can share their experiences with me - there is presently an ALDI store that is open in Cutler Bay. 

The Village of Palmetto Bay welcomes Aldi to the neighborhood.