Aldi is Preparing to Come to Lowell (for Real This Time)

There is exciting news for Lowell residents who have long hoped for a nearby Aldi grocery store. In what might be the worst kept secret in town, the retailer has been quietly working on plans for a store on Fulton Street, next to the Lowell Express car wash.

Lowell’s First Look has been following this story for months, and I attended several Lowell Township meetings during the summer in which there were thoughtful deliberations. One of the primary topics of discussion centered on the store’s design and how it could be built within the constraints of the property’s footprint. Aldi sought a variance to adjust the setback requirements, which initially met some resistance from the township. However, after a series of revisions and proposals, a resolution was reached.

Still, despite the meetings, there was no official word that the development in question was, in fact, an Aldi. The application to the township only named the development company, and no one — from the township or store — appeared willing to go on the record to say that this project would be an Aldi grocery store. Without that confirmation and not wanting to disappoint residents in case the plans fell through, we chose not to publish a story over the summer.

But now, crews are clearing the property where Aldi is expected to be located. A photo circulating on social media on Monday showed a “Coming Soon” sign on the property, but it wasn’t there on Tuesday morning. Word is that it was apparently a photoshopped image. Still, it was enough for the township to confirm that it is reviewing plans from Aldi.

While Aldi has received the setback variance and a demolition permit to clear the property, it has not yet received final approval of its site plan. When reached today, Lowell Township Supervisor Jerry Hale said the township just received a packet from Aldi this week with the most recent plans. He noted there are still some things that will need to be worked through before the plans can be approved.

The final site plan must be approved by the Lowell Township Planning Commission before work can begin on the store itself. The next regular meeting of the commission is Monday, Jan. 13, although Aldi could pay to have a special meeting called before then.

Either way, residents shouldn’t start preparing their shopping lists just yet. There is no guarantee the plans will be approved in January, and even if they are, construction will likely take months. For now, the excitement continues to build as the site transforms into what will soon be another convenient shopping option for the community.

For those not familiar with Aldi, it is known for its quality products at affordable prices and has built a strong reputation among budget-conscious shoppers. The store’s unique approach – including its efficient layouts and practices like a quarter deposit for shopping carts – has gained a loyal following.

If approved, its arrival in Lowell could bring several benefits:

• Affordability: Competitive pricing will provide residents with budget-friendly grocery options.
• Quality Products: Aldi is renowned for offering a wide range of fresh produce, meats, dairy, and exclusive brands.
• Convenience: Residents will no longer need to travel to neighboring cities for their favorite Aldi items.

In addition to offering affordable groceries, the new Aldi store is expected to create jobs and boost the local economy. The developer behind the project has expressed a commitment to enhancing the Lowell community with a modern, accessible store design that incorporates sustainable building practices.

Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses and the community prepares to welcome Aldi to town.

Maryalene LaPonsie contributed to this story. 

Editor’s note: This article was updated at 11:45am on Dec. 10 to note that a photo circulating on social media was apparently altered to include a “Coming Soon” sign.