Discount supermarket Aldi opens its first store in Ann Arbor

Aldi. I remember Aldi. I used to shop there as a poor college student. I remember it as a bare-bones grocery store with loads of basics and junk food with very low prices. Not a place I imagined much of a market for in Ann Arbor.Â

But since those days of ramen noodles and frozen foods, I have learned a little something else about the discount supermarket that opened this week in Ann Arbor. The info is thanks to the researchers at Freakonomics (who also taught me what baby names to avoid lest I chose a name at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder).

Thousands of shoppers have arrived in the past three days to welcome Aldi Supermarket to Ann Arbor.

angela smith | contributor

Aldi’s is owned by two German brothers, Theo and Karl Albrecht. What else do these brothers own? Trader Joes! Trader Joe’s - a mecca for well priced organic and specialty items, is an Ann Arbor staple. I have friends who travel Â½ an hour to pick up their weekly needs at Trader Joes. And rumor has it that many of the store branded items at each store are the same products just relabeled.

So today I was looking forwardÂ Â to checking out Ann Arbor’s new Aldi located at Dexter Road at North Maple Road.

More than just groceries are available at the warehouse style store. Many holiday gift items were displayed down Alid's center aisle.

angela smith | contributor

As a strategy to avoid long lines, I waited until mid-afternoon to make my way through the supermarket, a move that cost me a reusable bag full of freebies and did not help me to avoid any crowds. The parking lot was enough to make me want to turn around and find the exit, but I am glad I didn’t.

The prices at Aldi are to die for. A fellow shopper and I were in awe of the ridiculously low prices on wine - something that I have also marveled at in Trader Joes. I asked her if she thought it was safe, and she talked me into trying a bottle of Malbec, my favorite red, for only $3.99. Other shoppers were bustling through the aisles with their quarter rental carts a masse with $1.49 milk, 49-cent baby carrots, and killer deals on many Thanksgiving staples.

Bargains are certainly the niche that Aldi holds. And in today’s economy, I noticed that I was not the only one eager to welcome low grocery prices to Ann Arbor.

Lead Shopping Blogger Angie Smith will hunt for deals and dish on the latest in retail in Ann Arbor. Readers will attain notices of great deals, and store happenings in and around the city. To report a news item or tip contact her at angieannarbor@gmail.com