Wellen Park, an award-winning master-planned community in south Sarasota County, is getting an Aldi grocery store.
The new store is expected to open at U.S. 41 and Mezzo Drive in Venice Plaza in summer 2026, but exact dates weren’t provided. The store will have approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space and will sell organic meats, fresh produce, seafood, and cheese and wine selections.
Aldi is a German-owned chain that made its American debut in 1976 in Iowa. Since then, it 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 addition of Aldi reflects our continued commitment to expanding the variety of shopping choices in Wellen Park,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. “Providing our residents and the surrounding area with convenient access to everyday essentials at a range of price points is an important part of supporting Wellen Park’s continued growth.”
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.
“We’re excited to bring Aldi to Wellen Park and look forward to providing shoppers with easier access to quality groceries at affordable prices,” said Matt Thon, regional vice president for Aldi.
Recent expansion in Wellen Park
Wellen Park is projected to have over 50,000 residents when it’s fully built out, and it’s developing with that number in mind.
In October, Esplanade, a resort-style brand that got its start in Sarasota, announced its groundbreaking in Wellen Park. The luxury community will house 877 single-family homes. Also in October, Wellen Park announced the next phase of its downtown area, set to start early this year and will eventually bring new shops, restaurants, luxury apartments and a dog park.
Locally-based Benderson Development announced plans for a new large-scale mixed-use development in the community. The walkable development will bring a curated collection of premier retail, dining and experiences to the residents of Wellen Park. And in January, Wellmar, a 149-room Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott, broke ground and began construction in downtown Wellen Park.
Samantha Gholar contributed to this report.
Ella Thompson covers real estate and development for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Contact her at ethompson@usatodayco.com. Support local journalism by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Aldi grocery store to open new Sarasota County location
Reporting by Ella Thompson and Samantha Gholar, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
