STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Construction is underway on the borough’s third ALDI, slated to open in the former Party City space on Forest Avenue. The grocer will take over roughly 12,000 square feet at 1549 Forest Ave., a storefront that has long anchored the Forest Avenue Shoppers Town plaza.
Chris Daniels, ALDI’s South Windsor divisional vice president, said no additional information is available at this time. But plans posted on the greenboard outline the chain’s characteristically compact supermarket footprint—a smaller, highly visible layout designed to make shopping quick and efficient. The design mirrors ALDI’s national strategy of operating streamlined stores that prioritize speed, clarity, and low overhead.
ALDI is a German-founded chain that entered the U.S. market in 1976 with its first store in Iowa. The company is now headquartered in Batavia, Ill., and employs more than 45,000 people across 38 states. Although ALDI and Lidl share German roots and similar discount-grocery models, the two companies are not related; they are separate, long‑standing competitors in Europe and the United States.
The Greenridge Plaza location at 3285 Richmond Ave. was the first to open in the borough in September 2024. The other came to the East Shore last June and can be found at 430 New Dorp Lane.
ALDI’s business model centers on a few core principles, including high-quality food, timely customer service and everyday low prices. Stores are intentionally smaller than traditional supermarkets. Most products remain in their original shipping boxes, a cost-saving tactic that reduces restocking time and helps keep prices down. More than 90% of ALDI’s products are exclusive brands tested in its in-house kitchen and backed by a Double Guarantee—the company replaces the item and refunds customers if they’re not satisfied. Shoppers also look forward to the weekly ALDI Finds—limited-run food items, home goods and seasonal products released each Wednesday…