DALLAS — The numbers are good for North Texas. Aldi, the international supermarket chain, creates 400 jobs in the region by opening 31 stores by the end of the year.
Eleven of those stores opened Thursday, and for a neighborhood in the South Oak Cliff section of Dallas, Aldi is filling a major gap.
For Jacqueline Edwards, this is what she's been waiting for. "I think I will get some chicken wings," she said. "I'd like to put those on the grill, too."
Aldi's primary appeal is low prices. "It will be competition for Walmart, of course, and it's closer to me," Edwards said.
Aldi promises to cut costs up to 50 percent from rival stores. "We do see prices are reasonable," Edwards said.
Aldi says it maintains low prices by being crafty with business. "From the size of our building -- which is roughly 12,000 square feet -- to the maintenance of equipment, to our buying practices, it gives us the ability to sell the highest quality products at the lowest prices," said company spokesman Scott Huska.
Aldi is, in a way, taking the place of the Sack 'n Save that burned down in this neighborhood months ago. Area residents also saw an Albertson's close.
So this new addition to the retail scene, about a mile away, is filling a void where it's needed most.
"It's convenient, and it kind of reminds me of growing up, your neighborhood grocery store... you go down to get some milk or bread, or whatever," said Dallas City Council member Tennell Atkins. "You look at the colors and the bright lights -- it's more community involved; it's more close-knit.
Aldi is going green as well. If you want a plastic bag, you pay for it. Grocery carts cost 25 cents to use, but if you return it correctly, you'll get your quarter back.
E-mail sslater@wfaa.com
