Here’s What is Replacing Big Lots in Portland, Maine

It's been more than 3 months since the Pine Tree Shopping Center said goodbye to Big Lots. The discount chain had been a key tenant for years and with the company's demise, it felt like the entire plaza could be in danger.

That feeling grew strong when Joann Fabric announced it would begin closing stores across the country thanks to a second bankruptcy filing. But the Pine Tree Shopping Center in Portland, Maine, had another trick up its sleeve. A chance to bring one of the fastest-growing discount grocery chains to the state for the first time.

Aldi Will Open Its First Maine Store in Portland

According to the Portland Press Herald, Aldi will open its first Maine location in Portland in the former Big Lots space. Aldi has an incredible reputation worldwide. They've managed to keep their prices lower than other grocery chains because they distribute the majority of the products in their stores themselves.

Shoppers in other states have claimed to save as much as $100 per week, buying essentially the same items at Aldi versus another store. Aldi rarely ever builds stores from the ground up, which also helps the chain operate at discount costs.

When Will the New Aldi Store in Maine Open? Will There Be More Expansion?

As the Portland Press Herald article states, Aldi still needs to retrieve approval to build out their first market in Portland. That seems highly likely to happen and a grand opening for the store could follow a short time afterward.

According to Quartz, the discount grocery store chain Aldi is set to invest more than $9 billion opening hundreds of new stores across the country. One of the company's points of focus is the Northeast, where it plans to open as many as 100 new locations in the next four years.

Rumors have persisted on social media that Aldi is looking at Both the Biddeford/Sanford area and Lewiston/Auburn as potential sites for additional markets beyond Portland.