Over 100 people lined up in front of 215 Harlem Ave. Thursday to be among the first patrons at the new Aldi in town.
Among the impressive turnout of eager shoppers, a few shared why exactly they were in line – some before 7 a.m. – for the grocery store’s ribbon cutting that took place just after 8 a.m.
“This changes the game,” said Burhan Syed, who lives around the corner from the new Aldi, which is located at the site of the former Bed Bath & Beyond.
Syed said he moved from Seattle, Washington to Forest Park because of the village’s walkability. He added that he’s excited about getting fresh food down the street and keeping tax dollars in Forest Park.
Forest Park resident Carmen Cervantes shops at the Aldi in Melrose Park. She said she came to the grand opening “because it’s Aldi, and it’s right down the street.”
Armando Vargas, a Stickney resident, came to the grand opening to take advantage of Aldi’s affordable prices. He said he could spend $100 at Jewel and get the same amount of groceries at Aldi for $60.
Michelle Melin-Rogovin, commissioner of streets and public improvements, frequents Living Fresh Market, the only grocery store in Forest Park after Ed’s Way closed in March. She said she’s excited for locals to have another choice when it comes to getting affordable, fresh food.
“To have a grocery store on the north side of Forest Park and the south side of Forest Park is ideal,” Melin-Rogovin said. “It’s always good to have options.”
She added that, from talking to those in line waiting to be the store’s first shoppers, many were from outside Forest Park.
“I’m excited because it’s drawing people in from Oak Park,” Melin-Rogovin said.
Suzanne Satterlee attended the Aldi grand opening from the neighboring village. She came because she loves Aldi, has visited locations in Austria and Hungary, and expects to now shop here instead of the Aldi in North Riverside.
“I’m excited to have one closer to home,” Satterlee said.
Forest Parker Taylor Hanson also shops at the North Riverside Aldi. She stood in line for the new location’s grand opening, partially because she and her family of seven love the store, and for the chance to win a $500 gift card.
“I’m pumped to have an Aldi in Forest Park,” said resident Taylor Hanson.
While those who stood in line for the Forest Park Aldi’s grand opening got their shopping carts without first depositing a quarter, future visitors will need to have one handy to see how the inside of the former Bed Bath & Beyond has been transformed.
After Bed Bath & Beyond closed in March 2023, Aldi’s opening experienced minor delays.
This was largely because contractors discovered a basement beneath the building that wasn’t on their plans, according to Steve Glinke, the director of Forest Park’s department of public health and safety.
While addressing the unknown basement, contractors also updated the building’s electrical infrastructure, plus its roof and ceiling. They added an area for deliveries and redesigned the building’s facade. Inside, they installed refrigerators, freezers and cashier stations, according to Village Administrator Rachell Entler.
“I think that people are looking for convenience. Aldi has taken on a national presence. They are providing food at affordable prices,” Village Administrator Rachell Entler previously told the Review. “They have a value that has become something that families are wrapping their hands around. People want food stability and not to spend their whole paycheck on it.”
Aldi is open at 215 Harlem Ave. daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
