Aldi plans to build in Mukwonago

Posted: Feb. 5, 2013

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Village of Mukwonago - Aldi is coming to Mukwonago.

Or at least that is the plan being evaluated at the Feb. 12 Plan Commission meeting. A conceptual land division and site plan has been added to the agenda to bring the grocery store to a vacant lot between Culver's and Waukesha State Bank along Highway 83.

"We've have preliminary meetings with Mukwonago, and I feel like we're on the same page. Now this is our opportunity to share what has been going on behind the scenes," said Marcia Sperber, director of real estate at Aldi Inc.

This has been a long time coming, as discussion over bringing Aldi to the area has been going on for years.

"The plan we're presenting has been in the works for about a year," said Village President Fred Winchowky. "Overall, Aldi's has been seeking out a space in the Mukwonago area for six to seven years."

Sperber said it customer demand led Aldi to set its sights on Mukwonago. Consistent letters from customers and the nearest locations being Pewaukee and Oconomowoc led the company to think it could better serve customers in the area.

The company has looked at many locations but struggled to find something that met all of its needs, leading to the delay.

"We were looking near Walmart, but it is food-restricted, where you can't build any type of food store," Sperber said. "Really it was a matter of choosing the best retail site based off the criteria needs that fit our project. There's not a lot to pick from, and we're happy to move to the north side of the city."

Village Trustee Mike Sellenheim said the plan to bring Aldi is "progressing nicely" but it's still early in the process. He said not everyone on the Plan Commission fully understands the proposal yet, as it will not even be taken to the commission until Feb. 12.

Sperber agreed that it is early in the process and said there is no anticipated time table for the project quite yet. While Aldi has a solid plan to build in the Mukwonago community, right now it is just looking to review and gain insight on the proposed plan to build.

"This is just for a conceptual review, just to talk about and get the opinions of the commission and see what the thoughts and concerns are early on in the process," Sperber said. "If it's a favorable plan, we will move forward; if it's not favorable, we will keep looking."

Community members are welcome at the Plan Commission meeting, slated for 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Village Hall, 440 River Crest Court.