ALDI in Cornelius

Nov. 13. By Dave Yochum. If it seems like only yesterday that there were 11 acres of piney woods at Knox Road and West Catawba, an ALDI will open right there at 9 am next Thursday. Clearing on the site began one year ago; Chick-fil-A and Andy’s Frozen Custard have already opened, and more tenants are coming.

ALDI, which says it will be the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer by store count by the end of 2022, will be open daily from 9 am to 8 pm starting Thursday next week.

Also on deck is a new Novant Urgent Care and a Five Guys restaurant.

The store has open ceilings, natural lighting and a “curated” approach to the brands it carries, as well as its own private-label stock.

ALDI was also named to the Forbes list of “America’s Best Large Employers” five years in a row.

The 48,000-square-foot in One Norman shopping center is owned by Charter Realty & Development Corp., based in Greenwich, CT. It held the property for more than two decades.

The new Aldi will be the fifth major grocery store in Cornelius, after two Harris Teeters, one Food Lion and one Publix. The Fresh Market on Torrence Chapel is located in a former Harris Teeter store.