TIFTON — Tifton’s Aldi is now officially open for business.

Concluding over two years of development, the grocery chain celebrated the grand opening of its newest location the morning of March 21.

The new location is a part of Aldi’s larger campaign to expand their stores into the southeastern U.S., begun within the last year as reported by regional director of operations Todd Gonzales.

Aldi staff and executives held a ribbon cutting prior to opening the doors for the new location, proud to be spreading their roots into a new city like Tifton.

“To get this location open in Tifton is exciting for us,” said Al Keeler, Aldi real estate director. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to serve this market.”

Enthusiasm was just as high, if not higher, from the community, with a line of eager shoppers wrapping around the building and the parking lot so packed with cars that late arrivals parked on the side of the road behind the store and the empty lot behind that, even before this ceremony had finished.

And for good reason, too: the first hundred customers received a reusable shopping bag with a selection of goodies and a chance to win up to $100 the moment they stepped through the door.

Once the doors opened, Aldi staff present helped get shoppers in swiftly and succinctly, shaving the line down in record time, but foot traffic in the supermarket remained high for some time after opening.

All patrons were given an opportunity to enter a raffle for a $500 gift card, a campaign that will remain open for Aldi shoppers until March 24.

Tifton’s Aldi is located at 1805 U.S. Highway 82, and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Currently, it is hiring for all positions. For more information, call (855) 955-2534, visit their website at https://stores.aldi.us/ga/tifton/1805-us-hwy-82-w, or https://careers.aldi.us for job information.