Aldi continued its expansion in Sarasota County with the recent opening of a new store at 11935 Mezzo Drive, in the Wellen Park neighborhood of North Port.
The store is the third Aldi in North Port but because Wellen Park carries with it a Venice area ZIP code, Aldi touted it as the fourth Venice area store.
Just as it did in its most recent Sarasota County opening April 23 at 458 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice, Aldi gave the first 200 customers a gift bag with a sampling of Aldi products and a gift card that could contain as much as $100 — customers have to scratch off a covering to reveal the value — when it opened May 14.
“As shoppers look to stretch their dollar further, we’re excited to open this new location and bring more people a high-quality grocery selection they want and need at the lowest possible price,” Aldi regional vice president Chris Hewitt said in a prepared statement.
The store has approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space and sells organic meats, fresh produce, seafood and cheese and wine selections.
What is behind Aldi’s growth?
A German-owned grocery chain that made its American debut in 1976 in Iowa, Aldi has expanded to more than 2,000 stores across 39 states.
In 2024, Aldi bought the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket — Southeastern Grocers Inc. — with plans to convert them to Aldi stores.
The new store in Wellen Park was built in a fast-growing section of Wellen Park, virtually across the street from the Costco Wholesale Warehouse that opened in June 2024.
This year marks Aldi’s 50th anniversary in the U.S. The new stores are part of the chain’s rapid expansion plan to open more than 180 new stores nationwide in 2026.
The latest opening brings Aldi closer to an overall goal of having 3,200 stores by the end of 2028.
The other two North Port Aldi stores are at 1455 Sun Market Place, near Toledo Blade Boulevard, and 6000 S. Salford Boulevard, off Tamiami Trail.
There are a total of eight Aldi stores in Sarasota County.
Aldi’s prices overall run up to 35% cheaper compared to other grocery stores, according to the company’s 2025 Price Leadership Report. The report listed an average of more than 25% savings on fresh fruit, 20% on dairy products and nearly 15% on eggs.
What makes Aldi unique?
Nearly 90% of items on Aldi shelves are exclusive brands. Shoppers will find organic meats, fresh produce, sustainable seafood, as well as a variety of wine and cheese.
What’s next for Aldi in Florida?
Aldi’s next two stores, in Marianna at 4478 Market Street, and in St. Augustine at 181 Blackford Way, will open May 21.
The new stores will be the first to open in Marianna, the second one in St. Augustine.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Aldi expands again with new Sarasota County grocery store
Reporting by Earle Kimel and C. A. Bridges, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
