ALDI and Tom Thumb both building new Gainesville stores

GAINESVILLE, Texas — Two national grocery chains are building new stores in Gainesville, with construction permits issued and groundwork underway at both sites — a rare pairing of major retail investment in the city at the same time. ALDI is constructing a 20,275-square-foot store at 1210 U.S. Highway 82, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records. The project carries a valuation of $2.4 million, with SGA Design Group listed as the design firm. City staff confirmed the building permit has been issued and construction has started. Tom Thumb is also moving forward on a new Gainesville location after demolishing a house at 115 Ritchey Street to make room for the new store. City staff reported the demolition and planned construction in a recent municipal update on commercial activity. The parallel projects represent a notable signal for Gainesville's retail market. ALDI, a discount grocer with more than 2,400 U.S. locations, operates a pared-down, private-label model built around lower prices and a lean store format. Tom Thumb, a full-service supermarket brand under the Albertsons Companies umbrella, has an established presence across North Texas. The ALDI site on U.S. 82 lands along one of Gainesville's most active commercial corridors. A new 7-Eleven fueling center is already under construction nearby at the I-35 and U.S. 82 intersection, part of a broader wave of retail investment along the highway in recent months. The Tom Thumb site on Ritchey Street places the store in a more central part of the city, closer to established neighborhoods. Neither company has announced an opening date. Construction timelines for both projects were not disclosed in available public filings. Residents with questions about permitting or construction timelines can contact the City of Gainesville's building and development services office.