They’re updating the rules for shopping during the pandemic = https://corporate.aldi.us/en/newsroom/a ... 9-updates/

Dave148 wrote:They’re updating the rules for shopping during the pandemic = https://corporate.aldi.us/en/newsroom/a ... 9-updates/

Nothing unfamiliar by this point -- more intensely managed social distancing. Getting used to it. Better than not being able to shop!

How are they handling the quarter for carts and is there a long line to get into the store? I went into Trader Joe's last week and they were doing the same thing and it took me 10 minutes to get into the store, and that is only because I am a senior. The younger shoppers probably had to wait 30 minutes to get into Trader Joe's.

No quarters currently needed for the carts at the Des Plaines Aldi. Also there was an an employee stationed near the carts armed with a rag and spray disinfectant. As soon as a cart was returned, she would wipe it down before the next customer would take it.

No lines, walked right in, but it wasn't a particularly busy day or time. Might be different during peak shopping hours.

The one way aisles mentioned in the corporate memorandum were non-existent, but not a problem given the amount of traffic in the store.

Except for those items some people seem to insist on hoarding, the shelves were reasonably well stocked.

Buddy

Hi,

I bought recently their Deutsche Kuche Cornichons with Herbs. These were sweet-sour gherkins seasoned with mustard seed, dill, red pepper and black pepper.

I typically don't like Cornichons, because they tend to be too sour. This little jar of pickles were terrific.

They were a special at Aldi during a recent German cuisine week. If I missed them this time around, I hope to catch them in the fall.

They also had a variation with chilies. For those who like that, it may be worth getting a jar.

Regards,
Cathy2

Hi- On a Facebook group that I post on a lot, several people have reported that their Aldi's does not wipe down the carts any more, and they now keep the carts locked up, and require you use a quarter to unlock them. Apparently the Waukegan, Aurora and Gurnee stores make you do this now. Has anybody else noticed this? Apparently some of the Aldi's in the Chicago area such as Palatine still disinfect the carts for you and don't keep the carts locked up though.

NFriday wrote:Hi- On a Facebook group that I post on a lot, several people have reported that their Aldi's does not wipe down the carts any more, and they now keep the carts locked up, and require you use a quarter to unlock them. Apparently the Waukegan, Aurora and Gurnee stores make you do this now. Has anybody else noticed this? Apparently some of the Aldi's in the Chicago area such as Palatine still disinfect the carts for you and don't keep the carts locked up though.

I don't know about wiping down, but every Aldi I've ever gone to in the north and northweest suburbs over the last 10 years has locked up the carts and required a quarter to use them. Didn't know there were any Aldi's that didn't do this.

Cynthia wrote:

NFriday wrote:Hi- On a Facebook group that I post on a lot, several people have reported that their Aldi's does not wipe down the carts any more, and they now keep the carts locked up, and require you use a quarter to unlock them. Apparently the Waukegan, Aurora and Gurnee stores make you do this now. Has anybody else noticed this? Apparently some of the Aldi's in the Chicago area such as Palatine still disinfect the carts for you and don't keep the carts locked up though.

I don't know about wiping down, but every Aldi I've ever gone to in the north and northweest suburbs over the last 10 years has locked up the carts and required a quarter to use them. Didn't know there were any Aldi's that didn't do this.

The Skokie Aldi had a staffer disinfecting carts yesterday. No quarters needed. They no longer allow reusable/outside bags to be brought in the store.

Marketplace on Oakton next door still needs quarters for their carts. No reusable/outside bags as well. No staffer disinfecting carts.

Two weeks ago, no quarters required for a cart and a person manning the area to clean carts as returned at the Westmont Aldi. Same story on Friday at the Downers Grove location.

I will give a lot of credit for ALDI for one thing during this pandemic. I visited stores in Ontario, OH and Cincinnati at the beginning of the pandemic (March 12-15) and these stores quickly put up signs reading "Limit 2 on ALL high demand products so that we can serve more families." That was not happening at the Meijers and Krogers stores where people were making out with cart loads of toilet paper, ramen noodles and the like.

In my continuing effort to support small independent restaurants during this pandemic, back on 13 May, I rode the CTA route #54 bus (which was sporadically occupied - I maintained social distancing) south to Cermak Rd. to get Italian Beef sandwiches at Scatchell's.
It so happens there is an Aldi across the avenue from Scatchell's.
On this date, at this Aldi, staff was handing out shopping carts without needing a quarter, and my fiber, reusable shopping bag (from Briess Malting & YCHHops - courtesy an American Homebrewers' Assoc.'s National Homebrew Conference a few years ago) was allowed to be used. Aisle directions were marked, but there were a few two-way aisles.
The store was not crowded. I was astonished to find three 4-packs of Third Street Brewhouse's Oktoberfest session marzen in 16-oz. cans (a craft beer I enjoyed so much back in late 2019 I went to my local Aldi [on W. Diversey] to try and get more; only to find it had sold out). I would have been willing to pay $5.99 | 4-pack for it; but here it was being blown out for $3.50.
I bought a few more items: A 38-oz. bottle of ketchup (the container I had in the refrigerator had been in there so long [I think it was bought before dad died.] it was maroon rather than red); four XXL beef & bean burritos from a frozen case; and six 1-lb. packages of bologna. Total cost = $24.30. [credit card]
I then walked back to Scatchell's and bought two italian beefs, hot | juicy, and a small order of french fries. That cost $18.90. [cash only] (I had one beef that day, and the 2nd one on the 14th.)
I correctly assembled everything into the fiber bag and went to the northbound bus stop. Being this close to the south terminus meant finding an isolated seat was simple.