Mattress storein Hattiesburg, MS

ALDI is opening a grocery store in Hattiesburg, but it's not going to happen overnight. Work on the construction site began in fall 2022, but is still a long way from completion.

Social media buzz around the store's opening is growing, with many excitedly asking when.

"Hattiesburg needs more grocery options," one NextDoor user said.

On Facebook, anticipation is building as users hope for sooner rather than later.

"Does anyone know when ALDI's is supposed to be opening in Hattiesburg?"

An ALDI representative said in an email there are plans to open the Hattiesburg store in the fall 2023, but no official date has been set.

New era for foodies:ALDI grocery store is coming soon to Hattiesburg

ALDI will be located in a new shopping center under construction on U.S. 98 between Lakewood Drive and an unnamed road that exits from the east side of Walmart Supercenter.

The site plan for the new development allows for other retail opportunities, among which will include an Aspen Dental location.

Hattiesburg has not seen any new grocery store options for over 20 years. It is home to the family-owned Corner Market stores. Other chain grocery options include Winn-Dixie, Walmart and Target.

In 1998, Albertsons opened a store across from Walmart Supercenter on U.S. 49, but closed three years later.

Consumer information:What you need to know about the ALDI grocery store coming to Hattiesburg

ALDI, which started as a small, family-owned business 62 years ago in Germany, has seven stores in Mississippi, including locations in Corinth, Horn Lake, Meridian, Ocean Springs, Olive Branch, Southaven and Tupelo.

The grocery chain is able to offer low-cost groceries because it limits expenses with a no-frills approach. That means shoppers have to do some of the work to keep store prices down.

ALDI officials confirmed Thursday that the grocery store chain will open a location in Hattiesburg.

"We are excited to confirm we are planning to open our first ALDI store in Hattiesburg, MS, but do not have further details at this time," ALDI regional Vice President Heather Moore said in an email. "We will reach back out once we have more specific details."

The Hattiesburg American reported earlier this week that ALDI is one of the anchor stores for a new shopping center on U.S. 98 in West Hattiesburg.

So, what is ALDI and what can shoppers expect when the store opens?

ALDI is a large grocery store chain that was started in Germany by the Albrecht family. The chain is able to offer low-cost groceries because it limits expenses with a no-frills approach. That means shoppers have to do some of the work that keeps prices down.

Here's what first-time ALDI shoppers need to know:

Where will the store be located? The new shopping center that will house ALDI is under construction on U.S. 98 between Lakewood Drive and an unnamed road that exits from the east side of Walmart Supercenter.

So what does ALDI stand for? ALDI started in 1961 when brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht shortened the name of their business Albrecht Discount. ALDI opened its first U.S. location in 1976.

Foodies take note:Foodies take note: See which chain grocery store is coming soon to Hattiesburg

“ALDI is one of America's fastest-growing retailers, serving millions of customers across the country each month," Moore said. "Since 1976, ALDI has offered a unique shopping experience where customers never have to compromise on quality, selection or value. With 2,200 stores across 38 states, ALDI is on track to become the third-largest grocery retailer by store count by the end of 2022."

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

Aldi, the Germany-based international supermarket chain, is bringing a new location to Hattiesburg, although corporate officials are keeping the details on the downlow for the time being.

The store will be located in an upcoming shopping center on U.S. 98, near Lakewood Drive and Walmart, and will be the seventh Aldi in Mississippi. A timeframe for the opening of the store has not been disclosed.

“We are excited to confirm our plans to open the first Aldi store in Hattiesburg, but do not have further details at this time,” said Heather Moore, vice president of the Loxley Division of Aldi. “We will reach back out once we have more specific details.”

According to the chain’s website, Aldi is just a tad different than most grocery stores in the area, in particular because of a couple of different methods used at the stores that officials say cuts down costs for customers.

The first thing shoppers may notice is that a deposit of a quarter is required to use a shopping cart. However, the quarter will be returned once the cart is put back in the corral.

Officials say that procedure negates the need to hire additional staff to wrangle the costs, which allows the store to pass those savings on to the customers.

Secondly, customers are not required to bring their own shopping bags, but officials encourage guests to bring their own reusable grocery bags or buy some at checkout. That, in turn, saves money because the store does not have to add the cost of non-reusable bags to its prices.

Aldi stores often display a wide variety of items at discount prices, and specialize in offerings such as food, beverages, toilet paper, sanitary articles and other inexpensive household items.

Although customers will find name-brand items at the store, more than 90 percent of the items are private label, Aldi-exclusive brands. Aldi also offers a weekly rotating section of Aldi Finds, where almost 100 unique items – ranging from food to household items – are featured for a limited time.

Aldi was founded in 1946, when brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht took over their mother’s store in Essen, Germany. In 1962, the name officially changed to Aldi, which is an abbreviation for Albrecht Diskont (discount).

The chain now operates more than 10,000 stores in 20 countries. In the United States, there are almost 2,000 stores spread across 36 states.

Aldi is expected to become the third-largest grocery retailer by store count by the end of this year.

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William Carey University Theatre will present its annual children’s play, “Tarradiddle Tales,” Dec. 8 – 10 at Joe & Virginia Tatum Theatre in Hattiesburg. Curtain time is 7 p.m. on Dec. 8-9; Saturday matinee on Dec. 10 starts at 2 p.m. This play takes the audience around the world to experience stories with origins in Mexico, South and Western Africa, the Sudan, and Denmark. Tarra...

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Mardi Gras revelers in Hattiesburg: Mark your calendars. The 12th annual Caerus Mardi Gras Parade is set for Feb. 18.

Paradegoers can expect to find themed floats, marching bands and walking krewes with lots of music, colorful beads and other throws for kids and those who are kids at heart.

Past participants have included the Honey Island Clydesdales, Southern Miss cheerleaders, local businesses and nonprofit organizations and parade sponsor Keith's Superstores. Co-sponsoring this year is Mississippi Made and More.

Tens of thousands paradegoers attend the event each year on the Saturday before Mardi Gras.

This year's parade will begin at 1 p.m. Feb. 18, with lineup along the U.S. 49 service road at Seventh Street.

Want to enter a float?Click here to download printable registration form

The 2.2-mile route will continue south on the frontage road to Hardy Street, turning right on Hardy and proceeding west to 38th Avenue before ending on Morningside Drive.

Parade throws are not allowed on 38th Avenue after the route ends.

Parade organizers are hoping attendees will take in the Southern Miss basketball or baseball games scheduled before and after the parade.

Facebook event:Click here for more parade information

Leading this year's parade will be Bailey Sanderford, who was captain of the 2022 parade. Her father, the late Lance Sanderford, was a longtime supporter of Caeurus a former parade leader.

Registration is open for those wanting to enter a float in the parade. For more information, email hburgmardigrasparade@yahoo.com.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.