ALDI wins bid for armory land in Dover
DOVER – A new ALDI grocery store could be opening here as early as next year after the company purchased nearly 2 acres of land on the city’s north side this week.
Mayor Shane Gunnoe says the national retail chain bid $1.025 million for the 1.7-acre property at the southwest corner of North Wooster and Ohio Avenues, beating out two other bidders at the Ohio Department of Administrative Services in Columbus on Wednesday. The land was owned by the state as part of the National Guard Armory.
“They intend to construct a store on the north end of the city on Ohio Avenue,” Gunnoe said. “It actually gives them a little more land than they require for their store, so their plan is to partner with other commercial entities and kind of make that a little development there.”
Gunnoe would not share the names of any other commercial entities that could be part of the development.
He says ALDI also has an agreement to purchase adjacent land along Ohio Avenue from the Zimmer company, giving ALDI about 3 1/2 acres.
“They told us yesterday at the bid opening, they want to get started as soon as possible,” Gunnoe said. “I don’t want to speak for them, but they did mention that their goal would have be to have a store open next year.”
There are still a couple of steps left to finalize the land purchases, and the company needs building permits. However, Gunnoe says the city has already approved a site plan for the project.
“I think it’ll be a nice project for the city,” Gunnoe said. “It’ll be good for the community. Obviously, it continues to show the interest and commitment to investment in the north end of the city.
“All in all, I just think it’s a win for the state of Ohio. That money will go back into the treasury to help the National Guard. It’s a win for Dover, opening up that land for development and commercial growth. And obviously ALDI is very excited as well, so I think it’s truly a win for everybody.”