Shoppers brave rain for ALDI opening
Huddled under umbrellas and clad in raincoats, an eager bunch of shoppers stood in line for hours to await the opening of Birmingham’s newest ALDI location.
The first 100 shoppers were set to receive a “Golden Ticket,” which contained an ALDI gift card, and early shoppers also received a reusable shopping bag and were able to enter a Produce for a Year sweepstakes and sampled products.
Latanya Scott, who lives at The Point at Oak Mountain apartment complex, was first in line for the opening. Even though it was pouring rain, Scott said she was determined to be one of the first customers. She arrived at the store around 5:50 a.m.
“The rain did not divert my plans, but this is my favorite store of all time,” Scott said.
Scott said she likes ALDI for the savings and produce, and she would drive to some of ALDI’s other locations in the Birmingham area to do her shopping. Even though she loves ALDI, she said she was “impressed” by the number of people who turned out for the grand opening.
“But it’s ALDI, so rain, snow, sleet or shine, I think people are going to be here,” Scott said.
Brittany Wills, a Vincent resident, was second in line.
“I just wanted to see the new store, and it’s time for our biweekly shopping trip,” said Wills, who is a stay at home mom. She said she shops at ALDI every two weeks, and shopping there has cut her grocery bill in half.
From the time she entered the store, Wills was on Facebook live, talking people through the layout of the new store.
“I love it,” Wills said of the new store, which is 22,000 square feet. “It’s very clean, organized, and they have a great selection.”
Store manager Yoshi Legg greeted customers prior to the store’s ribbon cutting and said she is excited to have the store open. As she went around town prior to the opening, Legg said several people commented on the fact that they were excited for ALDI to open on U.S. 280.
“We’re glad to be here, and anything we can do for the community, we’re glad to serve them,” she said.
The store is located at 4639 Highway 280, behind Full Moon BBQ. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.