DOVER — Dover’s ALDI will open its doors to shoppers for the first time this Thursday. The store, at 10 North DuPont Highway in Dover’s Capital Station, will be the German discount supermarket chain’s fifth to open in the state. ALDI managers note that it’s the most recent opening in a $3.4 billion investment to open 2,500 stores nationwide by the end of 2022. The chain opened a store in Smyrna last December — it also has stores in Wilmington, Middletown and Camden.

The new ALDI in Dover’s Capital Station shopping center will open its doors this Thursday.

Delaware State News/Ian Gronau

To celebrate the opening, staff will host a ribbon-cutting at 7:45 a.m. this Thursday. Customers are invited to attend and participate in a “Golden Ticket giveaway,” sampling of ALDI-brand foods and a sweepstakes for a chance to win a year’s supply of ALDI produce. Gift cards will be distributed to the first 100 customers.

ALDI’s Center Valley division vice president Bob Grammer says the new store will offer Dover residents affordable, high-quality options.

“When it comes to choosing store locations, we look at many factors,” he said. “We want the best sites that are closest to our shoppers and can support a high daily traffic volume. As the demand for ALDI grows, so do our real estate options. Bottom line, we want to be conveniently located for our shoppers, and Dover was a natural fit.”

ALDI said in a statement that it has recently expanded its product offerings, making 20 percent of its total selection new. This expansion is part of the company’s national growth and remodel plan, and it includes a 40 percent increase in its fresh food selection, with many organic options.

The store has approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space and will employ 15 to 20 people. Though many of their stores have only a modest staff, ALDI seeks to cement a reputation for competitive compensation when compared to local grocers. ALDI has said that employee pay ranged from about $12.70 to $27 per hour.

Manager trainees can expect to make $60,000-$70,000 per year (with an opportunity to make up to $95,000 per year as the store manager. Shift managers can expect to make $16.95 per hour plus a bonus when performing manager duties and full-time store associate make around $12.70 per hour.

Employees averaging more than 25 hours per week are also eligible for full health insurance benefits and dental coverage. To learn more about working at ALDI and search current job openings, go to careers.aldi.us.

To make grocery shopping easier, ALDI managers noted that it launched a partnership with online grocery delivery service Instacart. The service is available at ALDI stores in locations where Instacart currently delivers. Instacart delivers to 6,000 ZIP codes across 38 states and is accessible to 70 percent (82 million) of U.S. households. Customers who are interested in ordering ALDI products through Instacart can check if the service is available to them by searching aldi.us/en/grocery-delivery.

After the ribbon-cutting, the new store will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.