Customers like Cheryl and Tony Cooperman said they are excited an affordable option like the new Aldi store is now open close to their home. The store, located at 8867 Southeast Bridge Road, opened Thursday. Cheryl Cooperman said grocery prices are getting expensive and are starting to change the way she shops. She said they are the type of people who never used to look at prices, but now she will go with what is on sale instead of just with what they want.
The opening of the store in Martin County comes as the USDA expects grocery prices to rise 2.8 percent this year. Fruits and vegetables are seeing an increase of less than 1 percent. Egg prices are dropping, and beef prices fell 1.3 percent from April to May, though wholesale beef prices remain at all-time highs for this time of year. Pork rose 1 percent from April to May, and chicken prices rose 1.3 percent over the same period. Shoppers James and Harry said Thursday they do not expect relief at the register anytime soon, saying prices are going to stay inflated and are not going to go down.