ALDI — Local services in Sugarcreek Township

What's not to like about ALDI? Well, actually there's a few small points, but I'll get to them in a minute...

The stores are always clean and neat, a place for everything and everything in its place. They have excellent prices and a selection that rivals larger stores such as Kroger. They also frequently have items in stock that I just can't find elsewhere most of the time, such as my favorite types of cookies. (Danish butter cookies.)

For a chain of stores as small as they are their fruit and vegetables selection is top notch, and this is one of my most frequent reasons for stopping in.

Their prices also rival those of other discount food stores, which is good because I am a man on a budget.

Now for the issues.

One: the way the stores are laid out is very inconvenient, with a large 'funnel' isle containing snacks and junk food before the actual produce area and no way out except through a register if you don't find what you wanted.

Two: their selection is intensely unpredictable, with items comming and going every week.

Three: they try to do some of everything, without enough space to do it right.

That last takes some explaining. The middle isle of every ALDI is taken up by non-food items. They are generally only there for one week and aren't the stuff you'd expect in a grocery like toiletries and lightbulbs, but things like tables, vacumes, and trash cans. The prices of these items are very enticing, but outside the budget of the typical ALDI customer, and by the time they can raise the funds the items in question are gone again. This is naturally rather irksome.

However, all that said: it's a good store where I have shopped and will continue to shop. They support organic and fair trade options, they are always courteous and respectful, and the prices are better than any others I have seen. I only wish there was one in walking distance of...

Brilliant place for saving money on grocery items while on a budget. Bring your own bags, they don't provide them nor bag the groceries but the savings are well worth it. Also bring a quarter to borrow a cart, you get it back when you return the cart. Items to check out that are great deals: eggs, bulk ground beef, liquid coffee creamer, certain in-season produce, potatoes, onions, hummus, yogurt, dry spices (most are only $1!), pure vanilla extract, snack foods like chips (they have knockoff "Doritos" my kids like better than the real thing!) And they have some pretty good copycat girl scout cookies for when they aren't in season (or if you can't stomach paying $5 for a freaking box...

I love Aldi. They have great prices and high quality food. I appreciate that they have numerous healthy products available. I particularly like the Aldi on Wilmington Pike in Centerville OH. Since I go their regularly, I recognize employees that I see on a regular basis. One employee, Kelly, is always so kind, always has a smile, and is always willing to help. Yesterday I was in line behind a mom with two young kids. Mom was struggling to put her items on the belt while holding her youngest child. Kelly got up and put the items on the belt for mom. She also allowed the mom's older son to help put the items...