Lacey: The long-anticipated wait for two new grocery stores is over in town. Yesterday both Aldi and Lidl opened their doors to hungry customers. Many of the early-risers got rewarded with gift cards for being first in line. Today OCSN Staff 01 took a tour of the Lidl location in Lacey. This was my first visit to a Lidl location, so I wanted to check it out. I skipped the Aldi opening as I have been shopping at Aldi for years now.
First off, both stores are German-based and operate similarly. Each are a small format grocery store with limited assortments of food. What stands out for Lidl is they have a in-store bakery department right up front. Both seem to have good prices on house-brand items, and they are packed out in boxes. You also must bring your own bags for Lidl, like Aldi, or pay $0.07-$0.10 per bag. Finally, much of the food they sell is private-label, or store brand. So if you are a name-brand diva- this likely is not the store for you. However, I am certain you won’t be able to taste the difference.
Inviting Entrance off US 9. Plenty of Lacey Cops hanging around to ensure you don’t make any illegal left turns!
Brand new building lures you in for the savings. Shopping carts are all returned properly to the corrals. They do NOT use a quarter-return system, so the carts are likely to be left scattered about the parking lot like nomads.
Custom signage welcoming Lacey residents in the vestibule, along with some popular promotions. They even put the NJ Flag into a symbolic heart- as if they really love to be here!
Fresh in-store Bakery is up front with delicious cookies. Here’s a hint- baked goods are often priced cheaper if you buy them in twos. Trust me, you will be tempted to eat them in the store actually.
Special Deals are scattered around endcaps, like this seltzer which is 3/ $1.00! I haven’t seen Seltzer three for a dollar since 1973.
Excellent selection of meat, chicken, and seafood in their respective sections. Remember- Steak is only for taxpayers!
Basic Health & Beauty Aids with store-brand Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for $1.95! With prices like that, you’re losing money by being healthy!
Much like Aldi, Lidl offers an assortment of non-grocery merchandise at good prices. There were blankets, pillows, baby clothes, tools, air compressors, and anything the buyers could get their hands on. It was like a flea market, but with merchandise that actually worked and wasn’t caked in dirt and nicotine.
Cheese and Deli Meats. You can get pre-selected deli stuff without having to take a number and wait 20 minutes.
More general non-grocery merchandise.
Seafood selection. Fish was so fresh- you’d swear it came from the ocean yesterday!
There were two rows of produce. Check out those melons 🙂
Cute shopping carts for your children to push and run over your heels with!
EGGS for $0.99! That’s cheaper than owning your own chickens!
Milk is $3.81 per gallon, which is cheaper than having your own cow!
A massive selection of frozen pizzas, enough to make the most discerning of bachelors or bachelorettes happy! I swear I saw a whole pizza for just over $2!
Water, water, water! Clear and crisp and only $0.59 per gallon, with a 24-pack of spring water for $2.15. Almost cheaper than tap water!
Jenn Marie T.
Erica Szczytko!!!
That was actually quite entertaining to read. Thanks for that.
Stef Genaro
We aim to please
Stef Genaro sure was!
50 cent loafs of French bread soon as u walk in , right out of the oven.