Discount grocer Aldi eyes store site near Signal Mountain

Staff file photo / Aldi shoppers check out the merchandise of the company's store on Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe in this file photo.
Staff file photo / Aldi shoppers check out the merchandise of the company's store on Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe in this file photo.

Aldi locations

› Gadd Crossing shopping center in Hixson› Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe› Elementary Way in Ooltewah› 5706 Lee Highway› Future store on Signal Mountain Road

Discount grocer Aldi is looking at moving ahead with a new store near Signal Mountain, and the location the chain has identified is an outparcel of a former Kmart.

A design firm for the company has submitted a building permit application and extensive drawings to the city of Chattanooga to put the proposed Aldi store at 680 Signal Mountain Road.

The city hasn't yet approved the project, but it's under review.

The application by SGA Design Group of Tulsa, Okla., calls for building nearly 20,000 square feet of new construction with the job valued at $1.1 million.

Aldi officials didn't comment on Tuesday, but earlier this year said the grocer planned to open a store somewhere near Signal Mountain in the second half of 2017.

"We look forward to providing the community with high-quality groceries at the lowest possible prices," said Troy Marshall, vice president of the Aldi division that serves the Chattanooga area, in a statement.

photo An Aldi sign is shown in this file photo.

B&B Discount Sales owner Duane "Bud" Hixson, who has leased the former Kmart building for the past seven years, said his business will remain if Aldi receives approval for the new store from the city.

A lot of surveying has been done at the location that's on the end of the property near Runyan Drive, he said. Hixson said he may have to move some of his goods which are stored outside.

He believed an Aldi store there would be a positive for his business while bringing in more traffic.

"I'm looking forward to it," Hixson said.

The owner of the entire 9.5-acre tract is listed in the application as Delwick Holdings LLC of Boca Raton, Fla.

An Aldi store would provide a new entry into the grocery mix in that area of the city. Both Food City and Wal-Mart are located nearby on Signal Mountain Road. A Save-A-Lot store sits not far away in Red Bank.

Last year, Houchen Industries proposed to put a Crossroads IGA market at the foot of Signal Mountain, but that plan drew opposition from city planners and many neighbors.

Aldi, meanwhile, continues to grow its footprint in the Chattanooga area.

Last October, Aldi opened its newest area store in Ooltewah as part of the larger White Oak Crossing shopping center going up off of Lee Highway.

Aldi said then the Ooltewah store offered a new, larger layout for the company in the area, with about 18,000 square feet. That store provided space to hold an enhanced produce department. Other improvements included high ceilings, natural lighting and environmentally friendly building materials.

Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.

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