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stoogemcduck t1_itmkic6 wrote

Reply to comment by James19991 in The Walmart at the Waterworks Mall is closing in November by James19991

I wouldn’t be surprised if Aldi moved in. that plaza is unusually far away from the nearest store for as high traffic as it is, they’re pretty aggressive about expansion and probably don’t like how much area Giant Eagle’s getting to itself there.

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PunkRockKing t1_itmzosl wrote

Giant Eagle fights to keep other grocers out, that’s why the Walmart there never had full groceries. I’d love a Trader Joe’s

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bdoc01 t1_itn7t83 wrote

yup they have non-competes in their leases. sometimes they don’t get re-upped but it’s definitely a blocker in many areas.

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phasmos t1_ito6cyu wrote

More than once, I've emailed Trader Joe's and recommended the vacant Community Market in the next plaza over on Freeport. No response. The rumor I heard is that Giant Eagle bought the space for the express purpose of keeping competition out, which wouldn't surprise me much.

For a while, Fresh Market was planning to open a branch there. It's a Whole Foods-type organic food market; the existing local store is by the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon. They eventually backed out.

A Trader Joe's on that side of the river would be fantastic. More likely, they'd plunk another Aldi in there, but it's just been sitting there empty for years now.

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mhoppy86 t1_itpy60e wrote

Giant Eagle owned the space already, leasing it out to the Community Market, through their Echo Realty division. Giant Eagle was also the distributor for the store, so they made money through wholesaling and rent.

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bangarangrufiOO t1_itmmtok wrote

They’d have to split the building, bc Aldi only needs about 1/4th that space.

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James19991 OP t1_itmoj1k wrote

Eh, that building is way too large for an Aldi.

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DrKeithOctagon t1_itnulse wrote

The Aldi in Peters Township was built in a portion of an old KMart. The rest of the old KMart still exists / is attached to it.

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