At 37100 Euclid Ave. in Willoughby, the previous location for the Lake County YMCA, Aldi opened to the public on March 2. (Marah Morrison — The News-Herald)

News-Herald stories about new businesses coming to town or holding a grand opening always prove popular with our readers.

Everyone, it seems, is interested is what building is going up on that corner and what is happening with the site of that former shop.

The latest stories we’re referring to highlighted the grand opening of a new Aldi in Willoughby and previewed plans by Sheetz to launch a new store in Madison Township.

On the morning of its March 2 grand opening, the new Aldi in Willoughby was bustling with customers.

Located at 37100 Euclid Ave., the previous location for the Lake County YMCA, the supermarket will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Euclid Avenue location was developed by local real estate development firm Sommers Development Group, which worked collaboratively with the Lake County Y to purchase and redevelop the site.

“This location will be an asset to Willoughby and surrounding residents for years to come,” said the firm’s Greg Sommers.

Aldi and its recent emphasis on more organic and fresh foods will be a great addition to Willoughby’s grocery shopping choices, said Tom Thielman, the city’s economic development director.

“Willoughby could not be more pleased with welcoming Aldi to our community,” he said. “The developer has done a beautiful job on the construction.”

The construction of the new Aldi represents a great example of redevelopment, an important characteristic of economic development, Thielman said.

“Many times, a community is left with a vacant, obsolete structure that becomes an eyesore,” he said. “In Willoughby’s case, the revitalization of the former YMCA site with retail and future townhomes changes the physical, economic and social fabric of that space. It indicates how strong the Willoughby market is.”

Meanwhile, Sheetz has moved a step closer toward starting construction of a new store in Madison Township.

The township Zoning Commission concluded a public hearing on Feb. 27 by unanimously approving the site plan for a Sheetz location at North Ridge and Green roads. The next step for Sheetz is to apply for and obtain zoning permits from the township for a new commercial structure and a sign.

“We expect construction to begin on this store in early March, with an opening date projected for late summer,” said Sheetz Public Relations Manager Nick Ruffner, in a March 1 email.

Sheetz will build its new business on vacant land at the southeast corner of North Ridge and Green. It will be situated across from the Walter Green Commons plaza, which is anchored by a Walmart Supercenter.

Township Zoning Inspector Max Ungers said the Sheetz project consists of a 6,139-square-foot building and a 4,800-square-foot canopy for a single fueling bay at the front of the property.

Ruffner said the store will have indoor and outdoor seating, with a fueling bay large enough to accommodate 12 vehicles at one time.

The store also is being outfitted with a drive-through for food and other products, but won’t have a car wash, Ungers added.

Trustee Kenneth Gauntner Jr. said he was involved in previous meetings with Sheetz officials to discuss their desire for a Madison Township location. Gauntner said the store planned at North Ridge and Green roads “is basically more of a fast-food place.”

“They’re more into selling food than they are into gas,” he said, during the Feb. 28 trustee board meeting. “That’s kind of their new business model.”

Ungers said the Sheetz located at 2800 North Ridge Road in Perry Township “is more of the traditional model, with two fuel bays, a car wash and a walk-in restaurant.” Meanwhile, a new Sheetz that opened late last year at Interstate 90 and Route 528 in Madison Village “is geared more toward heavy traffic and large trucks, and more fuel bays,” he said.

In conclusion, The News-Herald wishes the best of luck to Aldi with its new Willoughby store, and Sheetz as it moves ahead with plans to build its new Madison Township location.

By providing excellent customer service and high-quality products, each business will have the chance to become profitable while strengthening the economies of their respective communities.