BUCKTOWN — The Aldi at the border of Bucktown and Wicker Park is back in business, in a new building with more fresh offerings — including fish, red meat and organic produce — plus an expanded wine section.
With a new address of 1753 N. Milwaukee Ave., the store reopened Thursday, a week before a scheduled grand opening next Thursday. The Centrum Bucktown apartments above the store opened in late May, according to the developer's website.
Heather Moore, Aldi Division Vice President who is responsible for overseeing the Chicago market, said the chain hired 12 new employees to staff its new store. Previous employees were offered jobs at nearby locations while the store was under construction, Moore said.
Julian Nunez, the store's manager, has worked at Aldi for seven years. On Thursday, Nunez said this is the third Aldi that he's worked at and the first store opening that he has helped to oversee.
"I like the overall atmosphere [here]. There is so much life. It's a great area to be in," Nunez said.
In addition to 60 parking spots for cars in a lot behind the building, Aldi's bike-riding customers have their choice of two bike racks: one in front of the entrance on Milwaukee Avenue and another near the entrance to the apartments at Milwaukee Avenue and Leavitt Street.
The store's policy of offering empty boxes to pack groceries in is still in effect, and shopping carts still require a 25 cent deposit, with the money returned when the cart is returned.
Though Aldi began accepting credit card payments at all stores nationwide in March 2016, that was the same month when the local Aldi closed to make way for the construction of the 95-unit apartment building that the mainstay grocer would return to anchor.
Have you missed Aldi? - (@alisah) June 2, 2017
The Bucktown/Wicker Park Aldi is part of the discount grocer's nationwide plan to remodel and expand more than 1,300 stores in the United States by 2020.
In February, the chain announced an aggressive $1.6 billion investment in its stores across the country, with nearly $180 million dedicated to enhancing more than 130 stores in Chicago and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Moore said Aldi will be hosting hiring events at its 6220 N. California Ave. store from 8-11 a.m. July 17 and at the new Bucktown location from 6-11 a.m. Aug. 25.
"We encourage local residents to check the ALDI website to find out the latest hiring event information near them," Moore said.
The store is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays.
Aldi manager Julian Nunez in the organic produce aisle [Photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
Organic produce
Friendly Farms yogurt
Bratwurst on sale
Expanded wine selection
The shopping cart area out front
The Milwaukee entrance. A car parking lot is in the back.
Aldi fan Greg Mendez was among the first to shop at the newly reopened store.
