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The city of Albert Lea this week issued a building permit for a new Aldi grocery store to be built near the intersection of Blake Avenue and East Main Street. 

The new 20,275-square-foot store is expected to be valued at $2.5 million, according to the permit. It is being built on three acres of land at 1406 Blake Ave., owned by William G. Dress Irrevocable Trust and Jeffrey G. Dress Irrevocable Trust that is known as the Dress Addition.

Dalo Construction Inc. of Tipp City, Ohio, was listed as the applicant on the permit. 

The Albert Lea City Council in March approved subdividing the parcel to make way for the development. 

The construction comes as Aldi in February on its website announced plans to open more than 225 new stores in 2025 as part of the next phase of its five-year national growth strategy, including an expansion of its established footprint in the Northeast and Midwest regions. 

The discount supermarket chain, one of America’s fastest-growing retailers, is known for its simplicity, efficiency and low prices.  

The city and Albert Lea Economic Development Agency have been working to bring in another grocery store to the area since the closure of Marketplace Foods in 2020.