The Aldi grocery store chain will open its first stores in Queen Creek and Phoenix on Dec. 10.

The new stores are part of the retailer’s aggressive expansion plan to open approximately 100 new stores  across the country in 2021.

The Queen Creek store is at 20229 S. Ellsworth Road. The Phoenix store is at 5775 W. Baseline Road. In October, the Queen Creek town council recommended  approving a liquor license for Aldi.

Prior to the stores’ openings, Aldi will hold ribbon cuttings at 7:50 a.m. The stores will be open for business at 8 a.m. From then on, the stores’ hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

To celebrate the new store, Aldi will give out eco-friendly bags and quarter keychains to shoppers.

“We are excited to open our first Aldi locations in Queen Creek and Phoenix. Aldi is dedicated to investing in Arizona and wants to continue to introduce area shoppers to the high-quality, fresh foods offered at low prices in every aisle of the store, every day,” stated Tom Cindel, group director of operations and logistics for Aldi, in a press release. “The Aldi business model is designed to provide exceptional products at unbeatable prices, and we look forward to serving Arizona customers for many years to come.”

Following the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Aldi no longer mandates the use of face coverings for fully vaccinated customers and employees, unless required by state or local jurisdictions. 

Aldi does, however, require that unvaccinated customers and employees continue all appropriate safety precautions, including wearing masks and social distancing to protect themselves and others.

Aldi operates more than 2,100 stores in 37 states and is on track to become the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer by store count by the end of 2022.