"That's the No. 1 store people have wanted in town and asked me about for a couple years."
Steve Stein| Peoria Journal Star
MORTON –A new Aldi grocery store is scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Morton.
The Aldiis at 100 E. Courtland St., north of Interstate 74 on the edge of the Blain's Farm & Fleet store.
"Aldi couldn't have picked a better location for its Morton store," Mayor Jeff Kaufmansaid. "The store is very visibleand accessible from all parts of Morton. It will be a gold mine."
The Journal Star was allowed to tour the grocery store ahead of its opening. Here's what we noticed.
What to look for inside the new Aldi
In the front of the store, customers will see an "Aldi finds" aisle, with frequently changing merchandise —now filled with holiday items.
A large produce sectionand a well-stocked beer-and-wine section with many wines priced under $10 are among some of the store features. Aldi also showcases fresh food offerings, such as salad bowls and sliced fruit.
An end cap at the back of the store has meats, cheeses and other accoutrements for a charcuterie board at a holiday gathering.
Aldi touts that more than 90% of the products for sale are its own, like Barissimo and Simply Nature brand coffees, and one in three is award-winning.
Ready to reopen: Raber Packing Co. announces reopening at new West Peoria site after fire
Other features of Aldi in Morton
The new store, one of about 100 the company will open this year, should have a familiar look for regular Aldi shoppers. Like most locations, it has about 12,000 square feet of retail space, wide aislesand LED lighting.
"Have our residents wanted an Aldi? Oh, my word. That's the No. 1 store people have wanted in town and asked me about for a couple years," Kaufman said.
The unique cost-saving process of having a customer pay a quarter to unlock a shopping cart and get the quarter back when the cart is returned is in place to ensure carts aren't lost.
Shoppers who don't want to use a cart can bring reusable bags. Aldi does not provide single-use plastic bags.
Nick McCoy is the Morton store manager and one of 18 store employees. He previously was the manager of Peoria's Aldi on North University Street.
Morton store hours will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
Online ordering and delivery through Instacart will begin Thursday. Online ordering and curbside pickup through shop.aldi.us will start Dec. 12.
Business changes: This Morton-based restoration company has a new name, a new owner — and new services
New Morton store 'completes the story' in Peoria area
The Morton store is the seventh Aldi in the Peoria area, joining stores on North Allen Road and North University in Peoriaand stores in Canton, East Peoria, Pekin and Washington.There are three Aldi stores in the Bloomington-Normal area.
"The Peoria/Bloomington-Normal area has been a great market for us for more than 30 years. Opening a new store in Morton completes the story. At least for now,"Aldi divisional Vice President Heather Moore said.
There are more than 2,100 Aldi stores in 37 states. Through an ongoing expansion program, the company hopes to become the No. 3 grocery retailer in the U.S. by the end of 2022.
Morton area for 'one-stop shopping'
Moore said when it comes to choosing a new store location, Aldi officials carefully consider several factors.
"Bottom line, we look for a convenient location for our customers that can support a high daily traffic volume," she said.
There already is plenty of traffic in the area of the new Aldistore at the edge of the Farm & Fleet property.
"Farm & Fleet doesn't sell off a part of its property to a business unless they feel that business will bring customers to their place," Kaufmansaid.
More in Morton: This Peoria barbecue restaurant has expanded to a former steakhouse in Morton
Across the street from Farm & Fleet and Aldi is a Walmart Supercenter at 155 E. Courtland St. Several restaurants, hotels, a car dealership and a car wash also are nearby in the growing commercial hub.
"That area is becoming a new Main Street in Morton. One-stop shopping," Kaufman said.
Steve Stein can be reached at (248) 224-2616 or stevestein21@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpartanSteve.