Aldi Opens To Much Hoopla and Hullabaloo
It’s finally here, people.
The much-hoped-for, much-hyped German grocer Aldi has opened its doors in Bluffton at 1131 Fording Island Road in the Hobby Lobby plaza at the intersection of Burnt Church Road and U.S. 278. After a soft opening Wednesday, the store officially opened its doors at 9 a.m. Thursday.
Store officials were greeting by around 350 people in line to buy their red bag chicken and experience the Aisle of Shame. There is a culture around Aldi that it wouldn’t hurt you to get acquainted with if this will be your first visit.
Blufftonians dove right in and some of the WHIB group members dove right in with boots-on-the-ground reporting.
Here is a smattering of the reactions.
Jan. 25 soft opening
Jennifer Hurley Plant: “It was open today. We went and were very impressed. Prices are very reasonable. Great produce, meat and dairy selections. Dry goods and other things are limited with selections but, all and all worth the trip.”
Bonnie Boucher- Hedetniemi: “Rob and I made it a point to go after work. It's small but I really liked the feeling. They didn't crowd it with a lot of end caps and the extra like other grocery stores. Real good use of space. Like I said, meat and produce look good and prices are even better.”
Catherine Donaldson: “Not a chance I would attempt opening day. I’ll send you pics in a month when the carts are stuck together due to one broken quarter.”
Amy Bartlett: “This is a real, sincere, genuine non-sarcastic question and not one that is trying to be snarky or stir up debate. I'm actually asking this hoping that somebody can say something that will make me fall in love with it since it's here. But I have never understood the appeal of Aldis. Can somebody tell me what they like about it? I don't find the prices to be that different from say a Walmart and have always found them to be a little bit unclean and brand limited. But I see everyone's excitement and I really want to learn what the appeal is for some because maybe I'm missing it.”
Marni Elizabeth: “We went today before the big rush tomorrow. Prices are reasonable and the store is clean and the lighting is great. Lots of self check out counters. Don’t forget to bring your own grocery bags and a quarter for the shopping cart.”
And I, Tim Wood, had to chime in: “Color me curious. I, like Amy, do not understand the appeal. I hear the same volume and passion about Trader Joe's and every time I've been to one, it's like, "Meh." I don't want to pee on anyone's parfait. My in-laws have been salivating for this day. Catherine Keith Donaldson, I too will wait until the hype dies down. I dare say that for all the passionate folks, it will be a tin full of All That Chips. I'm curious to see how the swing voters - the take-it-or-leave-it crowd that are persuaded by everyone's passion -- will feel.”
OPENING DAY
This video from Lynn Wiltse, 54 minutes before the store opened it’s doors.
More context from Lynn: “I was about 125 people back in the line at that point. By the time the line started moving, there was all these people in back of me.
Ann-Marie Ferrara Hosey: “Their orange cranberry bread is awesome!”
Beverly Boyle: “I work at the PGA Superstore. We are screwed out of parking!”
Gwyneth Saunders: “Having been in an Aldi's in PA - albeit years ago - it's a grocery store. Bring in a Wegman's, then we'll talk.”
Johnny Ringo: “ALDI is fantastic. But I’ll tell you what won’t be: 278 at Burnt Church.”
From Elizabeth Mary:
Laura Higgins: “Groceries aside, they are known for being a wonderful company to work for. They promote from within, have wonderful benefits because they are a European company. Oh, and the chocolate is to die for.”
Megan Ferguson: “The store is also much smaller compared to its football field-sized competitors like Kroger or Walmart so for those that are older and don’t have the stamina to get through a store that large ALDI could be a great option!”
Nicole Dingman: “We have been shopping there for years in other cities. It is like a non-gourmet Trader Joe’s, but prices are significantly better. Most brands are as good or better than large name brands, there is a whole line of gluten-free stuff, and about everything is organic. Price example … a block of cheese at Food Lion is about $6; Aldi, $3.99.”
Kristen Bush captured this video of the official ribbon cutting.
And finally, a huge thanks to Lynn for capturing all these moments:
