Aldi plans new store in south Sarasota County

Discount grocer Aldi is planning to open a store in south Sarasota County. The company is targeting a summer opening for its new location in Wellen Park.

Spanning 12,000 square feet, the new Aldi is currently under construction in a new shopping center near Costco, off US 41 and Mezzo Drive.

“We’re excited to bring Aldi to Wellen Park and look forward to providing shoppers with easier access to quality groceries at affordable prices,” Matt Thon, regional vice president for Aldi, says in a statement.

Shopping at Aldi provides a different experience than traditional grocers. To use a cart, shoppers must insert a quarter, which they get back upon the cart’s return. The chain’s stores have smaller footprints than traditional grocers that features a curated product assortment and allows for a more efficient shopping experience, according to Aldi. About 90% of products on shelves are exclusive to Aldi, which also carries organic meats, fresh produce, sustainable seafood, cheese and wine. Its self-bagging model calls for shoppers to bring their own bags or buy reusable bags to use at checkout. 

“The addition of Aldi reflects our continued commitment to expanding the variety of shopping choices in Wellen Park,” President of Wellen Park Rick Severance says in the statement. 

Wellen Park ranked No. 8 among top-selling master planned communities in the country in 2025, having sold nearly 1,000 homes last year. At full buildout, the community will have 22,000 homes and more than 60,000 residents.

Aldi is also in the midst of a growth spurt. The grocer announced in January it was planning to open 180 stores in 2026, bringing its store count to nearly 2,800 by the end of the year. The grocer is aiming to have 3,200 stores by the end of 2028.