The wait is over: Aldi Andergrove opens, carpark hits capacity

Some reckon they have been waiting for Aldi ‘since they were straight out of the womb’. Others skipped the start of school for the biggest day on the retail calendar in years. See why they were all so excited.

After months of anticipation, Aldi Andergrove opened to the fanfare of excited shoppers.

One of the first in line, Dell from Bucasia has been waiting since 7am to get in and see “the unbelievable prices” as well as pick up some dishwashing tablets.

Dell wanted an Aldi for almost 14 years and started one of the first Mackay Facebook pages advocating to bring one to the region.

Lines started at 7am and stretched across the carpark as shoppers jostled for the honour of being the first inside Mackay's new Aldi. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Christine from Beaconsfield has been hoping for an Aldi for a “very, very long time”.

“We’re now very happy,” Christine said.

“Everyone's tired with the prices at Coles and Woolworths.”

Mother Holly and children Stella, Alice and Beau are excited that the wait is finally over for their first Aldi. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mother Holly brought her children Stella, Alice and Beau to the grand opening saying, “it’s worth being late to school.”

When asked how long the family had been waiting, Alice cut in to say “since I was born”.

“Straight out of the womb,” Stella added.

Aldi offers a flavoured bacon range with maple flavoured, smoked and triple smoked on offer. Photo: Fergus Gregg

The whole family was excited to see new brands, cheaper prices and variety, and is looking to shop there exclusively.

“We love Aldi,” Holly said laughing.

“We’re going to put the other shops out of business,” Stella said.

“Best store ever,” declared youngest child Beau.

Rosalie and Dell were some of the first shoppers inside the Aldi just after 8:30am. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mayor Greg Williamson personally welcomed Aldi to Mackay at exactly 8:30am to a crowd of trolley wielding customers.

“We’ve been waiting for Aldi haven’t we?” he said, receiving cheers in response.

“This is going to be a very successful Aldi store.

“All hands on deck.”

Dell, having already secured her trolley, was one of the first into the new store, which soon echoed with the excited shouts of the first shoppers.

Aldi Andergrove's first official customer was this gentleman, who made a beeline for the TVs and was out in less than five minutes. Photo: Fergus Gregg

One customer in particular beelined for the TVs on offer in this weeks ‘special buys’ section and was the first customer through the register with a new 32 inch smart TV.

Managing Director of Aldi Queensland Bronwyn Post said, “We are so excited to bring Aldi to Mackay.”

“We know we’re going to save consumers money.”

With another Aldi already approved for the Whitsundays, Ms Post said that their first priority is to ensure Aldi Andergrove is up and running before continuing to “look at other opportunities.”

Shortly after the opening the car park had to be closed and new customers admitted on a 'one in one out basis'. Photo: Fergus Gregg

By 8:40am the car park was at capacity and Aldi traffic control admitted new customers on a ‘one in, one out’ basis.