New ALDI in Johnston County opened on Jan. 21

The new store actually had a "soft opening" on Wednesday, Jan. 20 and was open for business a day earlier than expected.

This ALDI is located at 5142 NC Hwy 42, Garner, NC and will be open daily from 9 am to 8 pm. Curbside grocery pickup will be available beginning Feb. 4, 2021.

As has been the case with all new store openings in the last 9 months, the are no big giveaways, freebies or grand opening events taking place in order to prevent crowds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know shopping for groceries is essential, which is why we are committed to providing high-quality, affordable groceries and a safe shopping experience,” said Krysta Cearley, Salisbury division vice president for ALDI. “We are proud to open this new Garner store, and we look forward to doing what we do best, which is ensuring the communities we serve have access to the groceries they need at the lowest possible prices.”

The announcement indicates that "This year ALDI has seamlessly integrated several new safety features in all its stores across the country. The health and safety of customers and employees are the company’s top priorities, and ALDI optimizes its stores to provide the cleanest and safest shopping environment possible. The retailer has also remained focused on ensuring stores are stocked with the food and household essentials customers want and need, including healthy, convenient options and a robust selection of produce delivered fresh to all stores daily. ALDI stores also feature open ceilings, natural lighting and are built with environmentally friendly materials."

If you are using ALDI curbside grocery pickup for the first time, keep in mind that additional fees apply to curbside and delivery orders. In addition, the company shared that "items on sale in the store may not be on sale through the Instacart platform. Prices and availability are subject to delays or errors and may change without notice. As a result, the in-store price of a particular item at the time a purchase is made, including for weighted items, may differ from what is available through the Instacart platform. Additional fees apply to online orders."

ALDI has more than 2,000 stores across 37 states. According to a statement from ALDI, "the new location is part of the company’s national expansion plan to become the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer by store count by the end of 2022."