Hundreds visit ALDI to see what the new store looks like

MORRIS — Hundreds of people went to ALDI in Morris to see the changes that have been going on for the last couple of months.

"It's great, the aisles are wider and there is more of a selection." Irene Cechura of Morris said. "This is the primary store I shop at and it's now easier to find things."

Several customers commented on the wider aisles, the new signage, and the brightness inside the store, a vast difference than the ALDI that has been in Morris for years.

The new ALDI store look delivers on its customers’ desire for a modern and convenient shopping experience with a focus on fresh items, including more robust produce, dairy and bakery sections, and more room for customers’ favorite products. Remodeled stores will also feature a modern design, open ceilings, natural lighting and environmentally-friendly building materials – such as recycled materials, energy-saving refrigeration and LED lighting, according to a press release.

Manager Dave Novy said the change makes more sense, items are by like items, the ALDI find items are all in one row rather than having to go aisle to aisle to see them.

He said the space, while full now will be able to hold all the toys that will be coming for Christmas all in the same aisle.

He said while they were remodeling they were able to keep the store open and they added 30 feet onto the building.

"There is an additional register and the overall layout is more organized," Novy said.

They held a ribbon cutting Oct. 26 morning and gave out tickets for money off to the first 100 visitors.

Novy said there we well over 100 visitors in the first hour checking out and the store remained steady throughout the day.

At 2 p.m. the lot was still nearly full but inside due to the extra space there didn't seem to be the large amount of customers.

"I like it, it's very open and not as crowded," customer Teri Woodruff of Braidwood said. "Their stock is very full but even before the remodel I can't name any downfalls to the store"

ALDI intends to remodel more than 130 stores in Chicago and the surrounding metropolitan area by 2020, according to the press release.

Mayor Dick Kopczick, who cut the ribbon for the opening, said in a phone interview that the store turned out amazing and he was thrilled with the additional items they will have to offer area residents.