Branford Aldi supermarket slated to open in June

“To date 16 inspections have been done for Aldi’s. They are ready to insulate and close up the walls from there,” Cinicola said. Five inspections, including the final one remain, he said.

Site work began last July for Aldi Grocery Store and a Chase Bank, opposite Interstate 95’s Exit 53 ramp.

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove said the town welcomes Aldi and its neighbor, Chase Bank. The new development benefits the town by “growing the tax base, jobs, as well as convenience for the residents,” Cosgrove said.

“The redevelopment aspect of a site that remained stagnant for a number of years — decades really — to see that repurposed, I think it’s an overall positive for the town,” he added. The long-vacant property formerly was a series of auto dealerships, most recently Branford Mitsubishi.

Residents are eager for the new store to open, as well, he said.

“I have heard from a number of residents who look forward to Aldi coming to town — who go to other locations — to have that opportunity right here in Branford,” Cosgrove said.

Aldi is a German-owned cousin of Trader Joe’s known for its low prices, high-quality store brands, no-frills style and growing selection of natural and organic foods. Its U.S. base is in Chicago.

Cosgrove said he was not concerned about the development’s impact on traffic. He noted a new turn lane into the project was added in recent months and traffic lights will be timed to accommodate traffic flow into the site. The road work has been completed.

He noted that the state Department of Transportation signed off on the project before town approvals were granted.

However, that section of Route 1 and the I-95 interchange have been troublesome traffic spots in town for years, Cosgrove said.

“That section of Route 1 as well as the interchange coming off the highway, that has been something we’ve been looking to address for a number of years,” Cosgrove said.

Cosgrove added, “We have had numerous concept plans and continue to engage the DOT to try to get some project which would improve the overall traffic flow of that area.”

“Certainly outside of this project … it’s of interest to the town to improve traffic circulation,” he said. Cosgrove said he is hopeful the town could get funding for a project with the passage of the $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill, from which the state is slated to receive $6 billion.

Town officials are waiting for more information on how to apply for the funds and “how we can access those dollars,” Cosgrove said.

“We do see there is an opportunity. The town of Branford will certainly make a strong effort to avail themselves of those dollars,” he said.

The applicant, at the time of approval, June 4, 2020, was Trumbull’s Sound Development.

Owners John J. Maturo, Jr. and Nicole Kovesces sold the property on June 20, 2020, for $2.2 million to HV Retail Development LLC, a Houston-based company established as a business in Connecticut Feb. 16, 2021.

A building permit was issued to HV Retail Development April 15, 2021, for the project that includes a 19,210-square-foot Aldi store and a separate, 3,470-square-foot Chase Bank building on nearly 10 acres.

Chris Daniels, South Windsor Division vice president, said in a release that Aldi stores “are purposefully designed for simplicity and efficiency.”

A typical store is approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space, making Aldi stores easier to navigate than traditional grocery stores, according to the release.

“The consistent size of ALDI stores across the country is intentional, designed to save our shoppers time. Every ALDI has a similar, easy-to-shop layout, so you’ll always feel like you’re shopping at your local store,” Daniels said in the release.

For more information, visit aldi.us.