New Aldi Supermarket to Open in Stony Point in Summer of 2013

BY MICHAEL RICONDA

The former site of the Stony Point Stop & Shop on South Liberty Drive will become the new site of an Aldi Supermarket as soon as the summer of 2013, according to Stony Point Town Supervisor Geoffrey Finn.

Finn stated that the supermarket, which does not have an exact opening date as of yet, will perform $1 million in work on the interior and exterior of the building. At the moment, a tax assessment is being performed, but according to Finn, Aldi will be moving into the property.

According to the company’s website, Aldi differs from other chains by carrying mostly Aldi brand name products, a strategy to keep prices low by negotiating better deals with suppliers. In what Aldi states is an effort to lower costs further and stay green, they also charge for bags, though customers will be allowed to bring ones they had previously purchased.

Aldi is also distinguished in that the chain’s stores does not currently take credit cards and sells alcohol on a store-by-store basis. According to Finn, the Stony Point Aldi is not likely to sell alcohol. The store does take debit cards.

Public reaction has ranged from optimism to indifference to irritation, with some residents stating that the property could find better use than for another supermarket. Tom Guarino, who works at Deli Central in Stony Point, called the project “pointless” and pointed out that there were enough supermarkets in the area.

“Why don’t we put something we can use in there, like a Wal Mart or a tractor supply or something we can actually use?” Guarino said.

Finn hopes Aldi will fit well in Stony Point and hopefully attract other businesses that will last in the town for the long term. Finn said, “We’re looking for nice rate-ables that will be there for the next 20 or 30 years.”

Finn also noted recent plans to move a Quick Chek into the location previously occupied by Fiesta Cancun were scrapped. Other opportunities to bring the Quick Chek into Stony Point are being sought, but no alternate to the previous location has been accepted.

  Aldi Supermarket, Stony Point, store, summer