Aldi update: The latest on the discount grocery chain's plans across metro Phoenix

• Aldi is continuing to work on bringing its national expansion to metro Phoenix
• Last summer, another new location was proposed for southeast Mesa
• There are plans for the chain to open stores and offices in nine metro Phoenix cities

Discount grocery store Aldi is moving forward on bringing its national expansion to metro Phoenix — but it's unclear if any stores would open this year. 

A city spokeswoman for Buckeye says the store planned there will wait until after an Aldi distribution center opens in neighboring Goodyear. That's expected in 2020.

The chain, popular in other areas of the U.S., hasn't officially announced its plans for Arizona, but it's been working with Valley cities from Chandler to Buckeye to open grocery stores, regional offices, and a distribution center.

Here are plans for metro-Phoenix Aldi locations that The Arizona Republic has learned of:

Phoenix

Aldi has plans for two Phoenix locations, The Republic reported in 2018. One is planned for north Phoenix and the other is planned for Laveen. 

Up north, the company plans a one-story, 22,399-square-foot building at 1401 E. Bell Road.

In Laveen, it plans a store for the southeast corner of 59th Avenue and Baseline Road.

Mesa

A 21,750-square-foot grocery store was proposed last July for 2751 S. Signal Butte Rd, according to city documents.

The Development Review Board in September recommended the project be approved.

Tempe

Tempe approved a design to remodel an existing building at 1715 E. Southern Ave. for a 27,572-square-foot grocery store.

A building permit for the grocery store will expire on April 26, according to city spokeswoman Nikki Ripley. Another building permit, for a training center at 1717 E. Southern Ave., will expire April 18, according to city documents.

Permits issued by Tempe expire if work doesn't commence in a year's time, according to the city.

Peoria

Peoria in February sent review comments to Aldi. The project is pending approval and waiting for Aldi to respond to the city's comments.

The store is planned for a new development on Lake Pleasant Parkway near Happy Valley Road. The development will include retail, restaurants, and residences.

The location was originally expected to open late this year or in early 2020, but city officials aren't sure when it will open and the developer couldn't be reached for comment.

Glendale

Glendale has approved revised plans for an Aldi store at 67th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.

There is not an opening date yet, city spokesman Jay Crandall said.

Chandler 

Aldi submitted plans to remodel existing space at the northwest corner of Alma School and Queen Creek roads. The plans were approved and ready to issue in November, but the Aldi hasn't picked up the permit, city spokeswoman Stephanie Romero said.

The company also proposed a location at the northwest corner of Queen Creek and Gilbert roads as part of the Rockefeller Chandler Crossroads development. The store would be 22,152 square feet and have 96 parking spaces, The Republic reported in 2018. Aldi hasn't made any further submissions since then, Romero said.

It's not known when either location will open, she said.

Gilbert

Gilbert's Planning Commission approved a design review for a 22,435-square-foot building at 1225 N. Arizona Ave.

It's not known when the location will open, city spokeswoman Jennifer Harrison said.

Goodyear

Aldi is planning a regional office and distribution center, expected to open in 2020, along the burgeoning Loop 303 industrial corridor.

The city also approved a site plan for a 19,738-square-foot grocery store at the southeast corner of Estrella Parkway and Roosevelt Street, according to city spokeswoman Corrine Holliday. The company is expected to be ready to pull permits in January or February 2020.

Buckeye

Plans have been approved for an Aldi store near Interstate 10 at at intersection of Yuma and Watson roads. 

The Buckeye location was originally expected to open in early 2019, but the company will start building when its Goodyear distribution center is complete, city spokeswoman Annie DeChance said.

Can't wait to go to Aldi? Reach reporter Joshua Bowling at jbowling@azcentral.com or 602-444-8138. Follow him on Twitter @MrJoshuaBowling.

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