Construction of Harrison Aldi delayed again

More than a year after announcing it would open a store in Harrison, Aldi officials have confirmed shoppers will have to wait until 2024 for the discount grocer.

The supermarket is expected to be constructed along Freeport Road in the spot where Harbison’s Nursery operated for many years.

When complete, it will sit directly across from Walmart.

“We are excited to confirm we are planning to open the Natrona Heights store next year,” said JR Perry, Aldi divisional vice president.

No further details were provided.

This is the third time store officials have pushed the opening back, having originally scheduled to open in late 2022 and then again this year.

The news comes as a surprise to Harrison officials.

Township Manager Amy Rockwell said she last communicated with grocery representatives two months ago.

“They indicated that they would be back in touch in the spring,” Rockwell said. “We have not received anything from Aldi indicating that the construction has been pushed to 2024.”

The Harrison Zoning Hearing Board last year held a public hearing to seek input on the grocer’s proposal for the property.

They needed a variance to build in an area zoned S-1, or special. APD Engineering & Architecture, on behalf of Aldi, also sought a variance to allow construction within a required 30-yard setback from Freeport Road.

Founded in 1961 in Germany, Aldi sees 40 million customers a month across the United States, according to the company website.

Headquartered in Batavia, Ill., there are about 2,300 stores across 36 states.

Locally, Aldi opened a store in New Kensington on March 23 in Riverview Plaza on Tarentum Bridge Road where Kmart once stood.

The company closed a nearby store in Lower Burrell two days earlier in favor of the new 21,000-square-foot location with more parking.

There are also stores in Frazer, Penn Hills, Kittanning and Shaler.