By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
ALDI was a scene of excitement in Bristol last Thursday as dozens of customers crowded outside for the grocery store’s grand re-opening.
Diane Lane of Bristol was one of them. She woke up at 6:30 that morning to be the first of 100 shoppers to receive a golden ticket, which contained ALDI gift certificates of various amounts. After watching the ribbon-cutting, Lane stepped inside the newly renovated store, which now features high ceilings, wider aisles, bright colors and environmentally-friendly building materials.
“It’s very nice in here,” said Lane, who shops at ALDI several times a week. “It’s brighter. The aisles have more room.”
Customers cheered outside before ALDI opened its doors again after a brief shutdown period so the remodeling could be completed.
Over the course of the next few years, all of ALDI’s stores in Connecticut will be remodeled, said Patrick McDermott, director of operations for ALDI’s South Windsor division.
From energy-saving refrigeration and LED lighting to easy-to-spot product signage to a new roof, ALDI’s facility on Middle Street underwent a variety of changes. The remodeled store also will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be a very great shopping experience for everyone who comes in,” said McDermott, noting his excitement for the large turnout of shoppers during the store’s grand re-opening.
“The store is now 100 percent LED,” said Bruno Lourenco, director of real estate for ALDI’s South Windsor division.
Stephen Pawlak, general manager of ALDI’s Bristol location was impressed not only by the store’s new graphics and layout, but also by its specialized produce cooling units and the expanded cooler section.
Overall, Pawlak said the remodeling has put the store in a new direction.
“It’s something that my team is so excited about. It is what brought us through the countless hours of getting the store set up over the past week,” said Pawlak. “It’s the customers that really drive us. It’s a neighborhood store.”
Besides presenting a new look, ALDI also rolled out its organic produce, USDA Choice beef, the liveGfree gluten-free product line and the SimplyNature line of products free from over 125 artificial ingredients and preservatives. All exclusive brand food products are free of added MSG, certified synthetic colors and partially hydrogenated oils.
In addition, ADLI helps customers make healthy choices by providing tips in the produce section as well as “Dietician’s Picks”—which are products handpicked by leading nutrition experts.
This was something that Linda Lamy (of Thomaston) and her daughter Emily noticed right away when they went shopping on ALDI’s grand re-opening day last week.
“I find the quality very good,” said Linda, adding how the store’s location is convenient.
“They have what I need when I needed it,” added Emily.
Linda and her daughter were impressed when they saw the newly renovated ALDI for the first time.
“It looks wonderful—it really has a modern appeal,” said Linda, as she was scanning the aisles to check out ALDI’s new products. “It’s very clean.”
Operating more than 1,500 stores in 34 states, ALDI helps more than 32 million customers save up to 50 percent on their grocery bills each month. ALDI sells the most frequently bought grocery and household items, primarily under its exclusive brands, which must meet or exceed the national name brands on taste and quality. The store also uses cost-saving practices, such as a cart rental system and encouraging customers to bring their own shopping bags.
As an employer of choice, ALDI offers employees wages and benefits that are higher than the national average for the retail industry.
ALDI has been in Bristol for over 17 years, and consists of 20 employees to date.
“Based on the growth of the store in particular and the increase of amount of customers…we felt it was necessary to update to our new look and our physical appearance to allow our customers to have the best shopping experience possible,” said McDermott, adding that ALDI in Bristol is a busy location in particular.
Other future locations that the store has its eye on include Southington and the New London area.
“As a company right now we’re undergoing a significant capital growth campaign where we’re opening over 650 stores over the next five years,” said McDermott. “By 2018, we should have over 2,000 stores across the country.”
Stephen Pawlak, general manager of ALDI’s Bristol location, left, and Mayor Ken Cockayne, right, celebrate the ribbon cutting of the newly remodeled ALDI grocery store on Middle Street.