Work is progressing on the new Aldi grocery store in Newton. After weeks of ground work, signs of a building can now be seen. The possibility of Aldi returning to Newton was first mentioned in public during a Newton Planning and Zoning Commission meeting last November. At the time, commissioners expressed excitement and felt the west side location across the street from Wal-Mart was appropriate. Aldi closed its previous store in Newton in mid 2006, before Maytag left town. That old store on 1st Avenue East was eventually purchased by the County and is now the Jasper County Community Center and home to the Jasper County Elderly Nutrition Program. Newton Mayor Evelyn George says the store’s opening is anticipated.

“Yes we have a lot of excitement for Aldi’s, which is hoping to open before Thanksgiving”

The Aldi lot at 375 Iowa Speedway Drive is 2.45 acres, and is directly south of a strip mall. Jasper County land sales records show Aldi Incorporated purchased the property for just under $427,000 on March 23rd of this year through two payments of $284,666 and $142,333.