[Jim 9922]

According to the other Villages news source ALDI is reducing the beautiful Winn-Dixie store to about 60% of its floorplan, converting it to an ALDI footprint. Nothing was shown in the published plans of what will be done with the other 40% of the existing building.
In my opinion, too bad for us Villagers. To me, from the few times I've been in an ALDI's, they seem to be one step up from a gas station convenience store: limited, cluttered, grubby, disorganized and a poor selection of quality healthy food. But I guess cheap likes cheap. However, I can't argue with their success.

[Arctic Fox]

I likes it best when it was SweetBay

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Jim 9922

According to the other Villages news source ALDI is reducing the beautiful Winn-Dixie store to about 60% of its floorplan, converting it to an ALDI footprint. Nothing was shown in the published plans of what will be done with the other 40% of the existing building.
In my opinion, too bad for us Villagers. To me, from the few times I've been in an ALDI's, they seem to be one step up from a gas station convenience store: limited, cluttered, grubby, disorganized and a poor selection of quality healthy food. But I guess cheap likes cheap. However, I can't argue with their success.

Nothing could be worse than Winn-Dixie. I've never been in an Aldi's, but it has to be better than what it's replacing.

[Pugchief]

I disagree. You can do 98% of your shopping at Aldi. Less expensive and solid quality. Aldi FTW

[Djean1981]

I absolutely love Aldi. Prices are way cheaper, smaller store, etc.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Djean1981

I absolutely love Aldi. smaller store,

Yes. Smaller footprint is much easier to navigate.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I'm not fond at all of the Crystal Lakes (is the the name of that brand they carry?) dairy products. They also don't carry Pepsi, and that's the brand we have here at our house. So I'd have to go to Walmart anyway, or BJs for parmesano reggiano and my cafe bustello 4-packs - a lot of things we prefer, that Aldi's just doesn't carry. But for canned foods, salads, milk, chips and sandwich breads, snack foods - Aldi's is great. Turns out we like their brand of hotdogs too, but I need to find out which variety it was that we had at a particular cookout last year so I can get the right ones. Was it all beef franks, was it turkey dogs? I dunno. They were delish though, whichever they were.

[Taltarzac725]

I have not been to an Aldi's in years but will miss the Winn-Dixie over in Sumter Landing. Very good beef for the most part. I had found the Aldi's meats not worth buying.

[justjim]

I pretty much agree with the OP regarding Aldi’s. The three or four where we shopped seemed disorganized and sort of “grubby” for the lack of a better word. However, our best friends love them. Go figure. To each their own.

[Stu from NYC]

We like them, rapid turnover of produce so very fresh. Store brands generally very good

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Originally Posted by Jim 9922

According to the other Villages news source ALDI is reducing the beautiful Winn-Dixie store to about 60% of its floorplan, converting it to an ALDI footprint. Nothing was shown in the published plans of what will be done with the other 40% of the existing building.
In my opinion, too bad for us Villagers. To me, from the few times I've been in an ALDI's, they seem to be one step up from a gas station convenience store: limited, cluttered, grubby, disorganized and a poor selection of quality healthy food. But I guess cheap likes cheap. However, I can't argue with their success.

They are "cluttered, grubby and disorganized" because people shop the crap out of them. Affordable organic, if that's what you're looking for, really good bread products and affordable dairy products and eggs. Yes, sometimes you can't find a particular product you may purchase regularly, but there seems to be a similar one in it's place. The employees at the 466a store are extremely hard working and efficient. I stopped shopping Winn-Dixie regularly when the new owners did away with Sweet Bay. I always hate to see businesses leave, but always hope they are replaced with something I will frequent. I will love having Aldi's just a short cart ride away.

[scubawva]

Aldi is organized, easy to find anything in the store. Fabulous healthy options especially organic produce & GF. Specially Select brand & Evolution brand house brands have excellent options. The salsa verde & the marmalades excellent.
Cheese section good.
It’s not pretty or fancy and has limited options.
Give it another try and see if you can appreciate its niche in the market. Be sure to look at the Aldi Finds aisle.
Soon the Oktoberfest items will arrive, get those quickly, sell out. Then holiday items, some in nice packaging which makes them good as gifts.

[Bassdeer]

Love Aldi's

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by G.R.I.T.S.

They are "cluttered, grubby and disorganized" because people shop the crap out of them. Affordable organic, if that's what you're looking for, really good bread products and affordable dairy products and eggs. Yes, sometimes you can't find a particular product you may purchase regularly, but there seems to be a similar one in it's place. The employees at the 466a store are extremely hard working and efficient. I stopped shopping Winn-Dixie regularly when the new owners did away with Sweet Bay. I always hate to see businesses leave, but always hope they are replaced with something I will frequent. I will love having Aldi's just a short cart ride away.

Good point. We like Aldi's but prefer traveling by golf cart - these are mutually exclusive today. A golf cart accessible Aldi's will change our shopping habits for sure.

[Normal]

We shop at different stores, but I would prefer the ALDIs to Winn Dixie or Publix.