WODONGA will have its second Aldi supermarket by the end of the year, with the German giant to open at White Box Rise.
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The discount retailer had its plans for the supermarket along Victoria Cross Parade approved by officers at Wodonga Council.
An Aldi spokeswoman told The Border Mail the discount shop would open in 2016.
“We are pleased to confirm that we will be building and subsequently opening a new store at White Box Rise later this year,” she said.
The Aldi will be the second supermarket in the southern Wodonga precinct with Woolworths opening in December 2011.
“When establishing a new store, Aldi considers the long-term potential of the area, including population numbers,” the company spokeswoman said.
“We work closely with local planning bodies such as councils, other businesses and community groups to help ensure new stores positively impact the local area.
“Each store provides jobs for 15 to 20 employees, offering rewarding career opportunities for local residents.”
A Woolworths representative declined to comment on the opening as Safeway and Coles in central Wodonga are set to be remade.
Aldi established its first Wodonga store in Elgin Boulevard in December 2004 with 60 shoppers waiting for the doors to open.
It also has supermarkets in Albury and Lavington.
The Aldi spokeswoman did not rule out the store selling alcohol.
“Where possible, Aldi investigates the option of including our liquor offering in store to provide our shoppers with the convenience of having our full range of products under one roof,” she said.
A BWS liquor store adjoins the Woolworths inside the White Box Rise shopping centre.
Consumers at the White Box Rise mall on Thursday generally welcomed the announcement.
“I'd go for it, I love Aldi,” young Wodonga mother Catherine Moran said.
Fellow resident Colin Clarke was also happy at the news.
“It would be good to have two in town,” Mr Clarke said.
“Every now and then I go there – they have those special buys.”
But Lavington's Annette Loechel, who works in the area, said she would remain loyal to Woolworths.
“I don't really shop at Aldi, I don't really like Aldi,” Ms Loechel said.
“I don't think there's a big range of choice and a lot of the brands I don't know.”