A new Aldi could replace an abandoned former car sales lot in Gilbert.In a study session on Aug. 7, Gilbert’s Planning Commission heard a presentation for a new 19,423-square-foot Aldi store on the southeast corner of Arizona Avenue and Desert Lane, located just south of U.S. 60. Aldi Arizona LLC, an entity linked to the German grocer, is listed as the owner of the 3.63-acre parcel, according to the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office.The proposed Aldi location is just west of a future four-story, 257-unit multifamily project that’s already received town approval.While the project application will appear again in front of the planning commission, Aldi requested to submit construction documents “at-risk,” meaning that it can file for permits as the planning staff reviews the overall case. The planning commission approved the request at the Aug. 7 meeting.A date has not been finalized for Aldi’s return to the planning commission. Aldi is working with engineering firm Kimley-Horn & Associates Inc. for its application with Gilbert and for the civil engineering component of the project.Aldi has been considering a store at this site for years. According to documents filed with its case, an application for an Aldi store was approved on the site in 2018 but has since expired, which required a new application by the grocer.Aldi has more than 2,000 stores in the U.S. and has opened a dozen stores in Arizona since it first made plans in 2018 to open 40 stores in the greater Phoenix area. It has five locations in the East Valley, though more could be on the way. Avalon Ranch, which is being developed by Scottsdale-based Avalon Development, cleared checkpoints from Mesa’s Planning and Zoning Commission and Mesa City Council earlier this year. Avalon filed an application with the city of Mesa for an Aldi grocery store at the site, which has since received approval.The company generated $78.9 million in Phoenix-area sales in 2023. Chain Store Guide reported Aldi having a market share of 0.4%.Last month, Aldi submitted a pre-application and applied for a due diligence meeting with the city of Goodyear for a new distribution center. The project is expected to total an initial 569,400 square feet with potential to expand up to 979,000 square feet. The distribution center could create 120 jobs with capacity to employ up to 700 people.
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