Aldi opening restores full-service grocery store access to downtown St. Paul
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The German multinational chain Aldi opened its downtown St. Paul location this week, marking the return of a full-service grocery store to the area.
Downtown St. Paul has been without a grocery store for over a year, since the closure of Lunds & Byerlys in March 2025. Aldi took over its space on Robert and 10th streets.
Downtown St. Paul residents, workers and leaders celebrated Aldi’s grand opening on Thursday morning. Around 150 people were in line ahead of the 8:30 a.m. ribbon cutting.
“I'm just glad we got something like this in downtown St. Paul. It’s a big thing for the community,” said Jerry Campbell, who lives nearby.
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Like many, Campbell said he is thankful to have a grocery store back in walking distance.
“For me, it means less money spent getting groceries delivered because I don't drive. Now I have a place I can just walk to and fit easily my schedule,” said William Huhner, who lives and works in the area.
Retired couple Ann Sullivan and Wayne Rhendahl were among a sizable crowd that gathered Wednesday morning for Aldi’s soft open. They appreciated now being able to purchase food in smaller quantities — and at a discount.
“We definitely notice the lower prices,” Rhendahl said.
St. Paul invested in Aldi success
St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker said the city worked to support Aldi’s opening because the number one concern from residents in the area has been not having a grocery store.
When Lunds & Byerlys closed, the company cited “significant staffing and financial challenges” since 2020 as challenges. The company said harassment, shoplifting and vandalism made it hard to retain employees and managers. Long-term construction around the store and work-from-home policies also reduced foot traffic in the area, according to the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance.
Noecker said she reassured Aldi representatives that the city would be a good partner and pointed to significant investments in safety programs and public infrastructure. The $8 million funding into Pedro Park across the street from Aldi, which reopened last year, was one example.
Is Aldi a sign of downtown resurgence?
Area leaders say yes.
“I do anticipate it will attract more people both to live, work, and visit downtown, and then that will only have positive spillover effects in terms of other retail and other amenities that we can expect to see,” Noecker said.
Joe Spencer, president of the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, called Aldi “a great shot in the arm” for the local economy and said it reflects a shifting market tide in downtown St. Paul.
A new 178-unit apartment building opened Thursday, with the adjacent urban park near completion. Investors have recently purchased key downtown buildings and shared plans to infuse money into the properties.
“We're seeing this new moment in downtown St. Paul,” Spencer said. “We're seeing new growth. We're seeing new apartments come online. We're seeing the population start to grow again, and we're seeing new investments happening in downtown St. Paul.”
He said the last time there was such momentum in downtown St. Paul was around 10 to 15 years ago, when Lunds & Byerlys, CHS Field and several restaurants in the Lowertown neighborhood first opened.
“We're really excited about the future and the kind of transformation that's upon us,” Spencer said.
After the store opening Thursday, people carried bright Aldi bags down the street and into nearby restaurants. One pair peered into a pizzeria with a sign: “Coming soon.”
