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Columbus State Community Partners secures ALDI to bring new grocery store to downtown Columbus

New ALDI store will improve access to fresh, affordable food for students, employees, and surrounding neighborhoods

Campus News | Tuesday, August 18, 2026

ALDI will develop a new 20,000-square-foot grocery store adjacent to Columbus State Community College’s downtown campus through an arrangement with Columbus State Community Partners, the college’s real estate affiliate.

The new ALDI store, to be located at the northwest corner of Cleveland Avenue and Spring Street, will provide convenient access to fresh, affordable groceries for Columbus State students, faculty and staff, as well as residents of downtown Columbus and surrounding neighborhoods. The store will address a long-standing need for more full-service grocery options in downtown Columbus.

“We are excited to join the Columbus State neighborhood, bringing access to high-quality groceries at the lowest possible prices,” said Laura Bauer, regional vice president for ALDI. “Shoppers can look forward to a convenient, affordable way to stock up on everyday essentials, and we’re proud to help strengthen food access and support student success.” 

Access to affordable, fresh groceries has been a priority for the college because food insecurity is one of the key non-academic barriers that can affect student success. 

“ALDI will be a major addition to the campus area,” said Columbus State President David T. Harrison. “Our students lead complicated lives, so we are always focused on making resources easy to access. Having a national grocer right next to our downtown campus will expand food options for Columbus State students while strengthening the broader community.” 

Through partnerships, Columbus State Community Partners is transforming the area around the college’s downtown campus with developments that will benefit Columbus State students and the Central Ohio community. 

  • Fitness, wellness and childcare: Columbus State and the YMCA of Central Ohio have announced plans to construct a new downtown fitness center that will provide free drop-in childcare for Columbus State students while they attend classes, helping remove one of the most significant barriers facing student parents. The Columbus State YMCA will open in fall 2028.
  • Affordable housing: Woda Cooper Companies will break ground soon on Opportunity Pointe, a mixed-income housing development that will expand access to affordable housing immediately adjacent to campus, reserving 20 units for the college’s exclusive use to support students. The 166-unit apartment complex will open by the end of 2027.

The new ALDI location will be the first new grocery store by a national retailer in downtown Columbus in decades. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027, with the store anticipated to open in 2028.

The new grocery store will anchor ongoing redevelopment efforts along the Cleveland Avenue “Opportunity Corridor” while strengthening connections between the campus and surrounding neighborhoods. By bringing fresh, affordable food within walking distance of classrooms, housing, and public transit, the project will serve as both a community asset and a critical component of the college’s student success strategy.

ALDI will build and own the grocery store, which will be sited on 1.7 acres of largely vacant property currently owned by the college. The college will lease the site to Columbus State Community Partners, which will take several steps over the coming months to prepare the site for development, including infrastructure work and the demolition of several vacant buildings on the site, and lease the prepared site to ALDI.

Franklin County has committed $900,000 for predevelopment, utility and infrastructure work required for the project, and the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC) will contribute $100,000 toward demolition of the existing structures. 

“Downtown Columbus has been a food desert for decades,” said John O’Grady, president of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. “Today, we’re changing that. Franklin County plans to invest $900,000 in this project because fresh, affordable food isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. This is what’s possible when the county and Columbus State Community College team up and refuse to accept the status quo.” 

“We heard loud and clear during the development of the Downtown Strategic Plan that building a downtown grocery is one of the best ways we can help downtown grow and help our residents prosper,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “The expanded access to quality, fresh food will benefit all downtown residents, and especially help Columbus State students to thrive.”

About Columbus State Community College

Columbus State is Central Ohio’s front door to higher education, serving more than 41,000 students annually through high-quality, affordable academic and workforce training programs. Through strategic partnerships and community investment, the college is committed to removing barriers to student success and strengthening the economic vitality of the region. More than 80% of the college’s students avoid college debt, and 80% of Columbus State graduates stay and work in Central Ohio.

About ALDI

ALDI is America’s fastest-growing retailer, serving millions of customers across the country each month. Our disciplined approach to operating with simplicity and efficiency gives our customers great products at Every Day Low Prices*. ALDI strives to have a positive impact on its customers, employees and communities by being socially and environmentally responsible, earning ALDI recognition as a leading grocer in sustainability**. In addition to helping protect the planet, ALDI helps customers save time and money through convenient shopping options via in-store, curbside pickup or delivery at shop.aldi.us. For more information about ALDI, visit aldi.us.

*According to the dunnhumby® 2026 Retailer Preference Index.

**Learn more about our sustainability journey at corporate.aldi.us/corporate-sustainability

About Columbus State Community Partners

Columbus State Community Partners is the 501(c)(3) real estate affiliate of Columbus State Community College. The organization advances strategic development initiatives that support the College’s mission while fostering economic development, expanding community partnerships, and creating opportunities that benefit students and the broader Central Ohio community.

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