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Regina Medina
St. Paul

ALDI plans downtown St. Paul grocery store

An exterior view of signage at a branch of the budget supermarket ALDI on November 7, 2013 in Bristol, England. As the German chain opens its 500th store in the affluent Bury St Edmunds, some retail experts are claiming that the low-cost supermarket is trying to attract more affluent shoppers, in…
An exterior view of signage at a branch of the budget supermarket ALDI on Nov. 7, 2013, in Bristol, England.
Matt Cardy | Getty Images

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Discount grocery chain ALDI will set up shop in downtown St. Paul, but it’s unclear when exactly, according to building and sign permits filed with the city. 

The German multinational grocer will move into the space once occupied by Lunds & Byerlys on Robert and 10th streets.  

Two permits filed in January with the Office of Safety and Inspections state "Remodel of existing space to become a new ALDI Retail Grocery Store." 

Another pair of permits issued today and last week will allow for at least five signs over 15 feet tall.

“Existing projecting blade sign (Formerly for Lunds & Byerlys) to be replaced for ALDI,” according to one permit.

Joe Spencer, president of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, says a survey conducted by the organization found that access to a grocery store is among the top priorities for downtown residents.

“So this news of ALDI coming into downtown St. Paul is just fantastic. It's something that we know is important,” Spencer said. 

MPR News reached out to ALDI USA and St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker Monday morning. The company hasn’t responded, and a representative for Noecker later sent an email statement to some community members.

“A downtown grocery store is a key piece of infrastructure for the neighborhood’s vitality,” read the statement.

It will support residents, workers and local businesses and will “make this area thrive,” she wrote.

“With ALDI coming to the former Lunds space, downtown will once again have a grocery store within walking distance, an affordable everyday shopping option from a well‑known discount grocer,” according to the statement.

Lunds vacated the space almost a year ago.

Residents and St. Paul leaders had expressed disappointment and sadness over the Lunds move.

The company said harassment, shoplifting and vandalism made it difficult to retain employees and managers.