SEAFORD – As Seaford prepares for an economic boom it hasn’t seen the likes of in decades, community staples are also in the works to handle the influx of residents and commuters, including a proposed Aldi along Sussex Highway.
Property owner Terrence Doyle has been working his way through the development process for the proposed 20,275 square-foot Aldi Food Market, including parking improvements and necessary building renovations to retrofit it for Aldi’s needs.
Jeff Baehr, Frederick Divisional Vice President for the German-based discount supermarket, told the Delaware Business Times in a prepared statement, “We do not have any information to share on a potential store in Seaford,” however representatives vowed to release more information when it is available.
Barring other steps needed, such as approvals from the Delaware Department of Transportation, Doyle’s proposed space will appear before Seaford City Council members Tuesday, Jan. 28 during its regular council meeting to discuss a preliminary site review for the property.
Aldi has eyed expansion in Delaware for some time, recently opening a location in Millsboro in 2022 while maintaining other locations throughout Delaware, such as Milford, Christiana, Middletown, Smyrna, Dover, Rehoboth Beach and Camden. It recently announced another new location along Concord Pike in Wilmington, opening in early 2024 after repurposing a 33,200-square-foot building formerly known as Circuit City and later Ashley Furniture.
While it continues to grow in Delaware, leaders behind the organization announced even more growth in a September 2024 press release, stating that Aldi was committed to hiring more than 13,000 additional store and warehouse employees while also raising its national average hourly pay – wages will start at $18 per hour for employees at store locations and $23 per hour for warehouse employees.
“Whether it’s our in-store team filling shelves with fresh produce, warehouse staff managing logistics, or drivers delivering our trending ALDI Finds, our employees fuel the quicker, easier and more affordable shopping experience our shoppers know and love,” Aldi President Atty McGrath said in the press release. “Our ability to attract and retain talent has always been key to our success, and we look forward to helping our new team members grow in their careers.”