The doors of a new ALDI grocery store will slide open to the public today after a 9 a.m. ribbon cutting.
The discount food store on Dawsonville Highway has been under construction since last fall, and Thomas Behtz, vice president for the ALDI Jefferson office, said the public has seemed eager for the opening.
"We've had a few people knocking on the doors asking about shopping and a few people asking about employment," he said. "... We're hoping that we've done a nice job of getting the word out to folks in the Gainesville community. I'm expecting big things."
The first 1,000 ALDI shoppers today will receive a free reusable shopping bag.
Behtz said the grand opening festivities also include a hot dog barbecue in the parking lot and free samples in the store.
"Since people don't recognize the name brands or the brands at this point, they'll be able to try the product," he said.
Unlike other national grocery chains, ALDI stores occupy a relatively small 20,000 square feet and sell about 1,500 items, compared to an average of 20,000 in larger stores. ALDI carries mainly items produced under its brand name, which Behtz said allows it to sell products at up to 40 percent less than other grocery stores.
The store also uses other cost-cutting measures, such as displaying items in their shipping material, selling plastic and paper bags and not accepting credit cards and checks.
ALDI opened its first store in 1976 and now has more than 1,000 stores in 31 states. The first ALDI stores in Georgia opened in 1995, and now there are about 30 locations in the state.
Behtz said he's hopeful the recent closure of the Save-A-Lot grocery store on John W. Morrow Jr. Parkway will bode well for the new store.
ALDI will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dalton Lilley, the store's district manager, said eight employees were hired for the new location, and he's confident shoppers will be impressed with the service.
"Our big marketing channel is word of mouth," he said.
"We're confident that whoever we get in the store, that if we're doing our job and just providing the product that we do, they'll bring more people with them."