The back side indicates $10 off a purchase of $40 (really only 25% but still!)...
And since I was in the area...
decided to stop by for their "preview"/tour day....
Those of us down south will remember the site of the new Aldi grocery store as the OLD site of Target, which was torn down several years ago. There is now a new building in the stripmall, renamed Gateway Marketplace, which includes Party City, the new craft store Hobby Lobby (I still haven't been) and now Aldi.
To read more about Aldi (history, business model, etc), I've included a few articles linked at the end along with Kirbie and Darlene's posts from their visits to the Vista location. And also so I don't have to regurgitate what's already been said.
Their rows of carts...put a quarter in the red slot and undo the chain. You will get your quarter back when you return the cart. Let me say though that today was just a preview. They soft open TOMORROW but the coupon is valid starting on Friday, so I will definitely be back on Friday. This preview was a tour of sorts for customers who all received a free reusable shopping bag. Customers were also able to check out the store's offerings and also receive free samples of various in-store items.
Let's go in shall we?
It's nice, clean, and brand spankin' new. Lots of curious customers, including myself. I was marveling over the prices of the produce and products...
They keep prices down by using their own store brands. You can tell what cereals they are trying to be.
Ooh, I want to try this. Only $1.39!
Their chips...
Plus paperwhites! They are fun to grow and now is the season for growing bulbs. They look really pretty when in bloom, but to be honest, the scent of the flowers is way too strong. Bert and I grew these when we first bought our house and omg, the house was engulfed in the scent which nauseated me. :(
As mentioned earlier, everyone was given free reusable bags. One lady gave me her extra (why did they give her two?) when I asked her where to get it. That was nice of her to give me her extra, which saved me a trip going to the front of the store. We were waiting in line for free snack samples.
There were tables in the different aisles offering free samples of their products. Most of them were on the healthy side, like these gluten free bars. I guess TC will end up eating these.
Fruit flavored "ropes", kind of like a Red Vine but not.
Chocolate samples - red was dark chocolate squares (they didn't really have much of a dark chocolate flavor) and the lighter package was milk chocolate with caramel..
These were squeezable fruit snacks (they seemed like they were more for little kids); I chose the apple peach (for TC); the other flavor was banana strawberry.
There was another table near the meat aisle where workers were making quesadillas, which I skipped.
The checkout stands are not in use today but will be tomorrow.
The free stuff I picked up including the stuff mentioned earlier plus 100-calorie pack snack crackers, fruit bars, and a packaged cinnamon crumb pastry. If you look closely, you can also see the flyer for free churros on Sunday.
The stripmall sign on N. 4th ave. If you pass it while heading north, you'll hit the 54 freeway and end up in National City.
I can't wait to go back. I was able to scope out several things I already wanted that were dirt cheap. I also didn't have a chance to really peruse each aisle as thoroughly as I wanted since some aisles were pretty crowded with customers waiting for samples. I overheard a lady telling her friend, "This is like a nicer Grocery Outlet". You could say that, but there are more off brand items here than at Grocery Outlet. Both have great deals. I'm hoping that the quality of the produce and meat will deliver. The return visit will definitely be a future post.
Recent article:
"Grocer Aldi opening new store in Chula Vista" NBC San Diego
plus this article from last year:
"America's best grocery store may be coming to Chula Vista" Focus On Chula Vista, Nov.30, 2015
You may read the contrasting views of Kirbie and Darlene, both of whom have been to the Aldi in Vista when it opened earlier this summer.
Aldi
40. N. 4th Ave, Suite 110 (next to Hobby Lobby)
Chula Vista, CA 91910
www.aldi.us and the mere 1 review (so far) on that four lettered site
I hope it's not a madhouse on Friday when I plan to return.
No comments:
Post a Comment