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Discount grocer shows interest
By ANNE LINDBERG
Published December 28, 2006
PINELLAS PARK - An international grocery chain is considering Pinellas Park for what could be its first location in the Tampa Bay area. Aldi Inc., a discount grocery that began 40 years ago in Germany, met with city officials in September to discuss the possibility of opening a store at 6700 66th St. N, which once housed a Wachovia bank. It is one of three Pinellas County sites the chain is considering, city officials said. They forwarded information to the company about the community and its biggest employers. The inquiry marks the second grocer in recent months to open talks with Pinellas Park. Wal-Mart wants to build a standalone grocery at 6900 U.S. 19 N, where the Sunshine Bowl once stood and less than a mile from the Wal-Mart Supercenter. Aldi representatives could not be reached for comment. But the company's Web site, www.aldi.us, said the chain has more than 5,000 locations worldwide. In the United States, there are 800 locations in 26 states. Aldi is a discount store that carries mostly private labels, such as Beaumont coffee and Kirkwood chicken. The company says customers can do 90 percent of their weekly shopping at half the cost. But the discount comes with a price. Customers must pay a quarter to use a shopping cart, which is returned when the cart is taken back to its proper location. Also, shoppers need to bring their own bags, or buy paper or plastic bags from Aldi.
[Last modified December 27, 2006, 21:04:19]
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by Bill
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12/28/06 06:02 PM
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Have lived in Pinellas county for many years in the past. I think grocery carts are a major problem running all over the landscape. Should be law against taking them off store property. Has to be initiated by city not grocier. Will save grocier money
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by Bill
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12/28/06 05:58 PM
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I think it's great that the area is getting a variety of grociers. We have Aldi markets in our area and they serve a spacific segment of the population. The quarter for the cart is a GREAT idea leaving the responsibility to the customer.
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by Jo
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12/28/06 05:52 PM
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This is not a new idea. In Minnesota we had 2 chains that did the same thing. You provided your own bags or boxes and bagged your own. The stores were not fancy and looked like a warehouse.
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by AnneRose
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12/28/06 11:12 AM
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I know Aldi from Germany. They have great products and I wish Aldi would come closer to the Oldsmar area.
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by Evan
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12/28/06 05:29 AM
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Aldi is a "money"saving store--the quarter inserted in the cart keeps the carts off the parking lot and is returned.
Bags are a dime for a large one-and free empty boxes are provided-Like a save-a-lot store but cheaper.
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